The Church and State in Italy

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 18, 1907

The Church and State in Italy

The following will be interesting reading to those who have been following the course of affairs in France and Italy with reference to the papacy:—

The controversy between church and state in France has evoked a remarkable echo in Italy. At the end of last week two impressive meetings were held in Rome, at which members of the Chambers of Deputies and other speakers of weight in the Italian state urged upon cheering audiences the justice of the course taken by France. At both these meetings, one of which took place on February 16 and the other on February 17, resolutions were adopted urging the necessity of freeing the country from the “retrogressive influence of clericalism.” At the meeting of February 16 a permanent organization was formed whose aim shall be to promote a vigorous political campaign against clericalism. At the Vatican there is a disposition to regard these demonstrations as the work of freemasonry.