Results Following the Church in Politics
By S. B. Horton
In the Baltimore Catholic Review of July 25, reference is made to conditions in France in connection with the Roman Catholic Church, asserting that France has caused the Catholic Church to suffer because of the interference of the civil power in religious affairs. The bishops make the following demands:— “First, the abolition of all the laws, sectarian and school regulations, as well as the others that violate the rights of God, of the church, and of the family. “Second, full liberty for Catholic worship and religious societies. “Third, the legal right of parents to religious teaching in the public school. “Fourth, the reopening of diplomatic relations between France and the Holy See for the common good of the church and the fatherland.” In consequence of these demands the bishops threaten,— “First, we shall refuse our votes to him who will support the laws known as ‘lay’ and ‘intangible.’ “Second, we shall vote without hesitation for every candidate, Catholic, Republican, Royalist, or Imperialist, who will accept our formula as given above. “Third, in the absence of a Catholic candidate we shall give our aid to the candidates who will engage themselves to sustain in parliament this program of ours.” It is also stated that in various parts of France “novenas are being made to the Holy Spirit, praying for success of the candidates mentioned in this pastoral; so both spiritual and material weapons at the disposal of the Catholic portion of France are being brought to bear upon the enemies of the church.” This is certainly going into politics in a definite way. It was the dabbling in politics by the church which led the republic of France to curtail the questionable work of the church by separating the church and the state. A very interesting item of news comes from Mexico in connection with the approaching assumption of power by the Constitutionalists, who have succeeded in driving Huerta from the country. The Associated Press on July 26 sent out the following matter:— “TAMPICO, JULY 26, VIA LAREDO, TEX., JULY 27.—A decree limiting the scope of the Roman Catholic Church in the state of Nuevo Leon, on the ground of ‘public health, morality, and justice,’ was issued upon the same day by Antonio I. Villarael, governor and military commander. He said:— “‘During the life of the nation the church has been a pernicious factor in disruption and discord, and has entirely forgotten its spiritual mission.’ “‘The most drastic feature of the decree is the prohibition of confession. Villarael gives as his reason for this the charge that the confessional and the sacristy in Mexico have become a menace to morality.’ All Foreign Clergy Expelled
“The decree, issued at Monterey, makes the following orders for government of Catholic schools and churches:— “‘1. All foreign Catholic priests and Jesuits, of whatever nationality, will be expelled from the state of Nuevo Leon. “‘2. Of the remaining Catholic priests, those who cannot prove their complete abstention from politics will be expelled. “‘3. Churches will remain open daily from six in the morning until one in the afternoon. Only priests having permission to do so will be permitted to officiate. “‘4. Confession is prohibited. “‘5. The public is prohibited from entering the sacristy. “‘6. Church bells shall ring only to celebrate fiestas in honor of the country or for triumphs of the Constitutionalist arms.’” Stringent Rules for Colleges
“‘7. All Catholic colleges shall be closed which do not obey the programs and texts ordered by officials, and which do not have at their head some professor who is a graduate of the normal schools of the country, who will be responsible to the government for any infraction of the rules. “‘8. Any infraction of these laws will be punishable by a fine of $100 to $500, and arrest and imprisonment from two to four months, or both fine and imprisonment.’” It will be remembered that when the decision of Huerta to leave was made, Catholic officials in Mexico pleaded with representatives of the Constitutionalists to intercede with General Carranza in behalf of the safety and security of the Catholic clergy and church work, promising that they would “keep out of politics,” indicating a confession of guilt in times past. It may be claimed by some that the decree limiting the scope of the Roman Catholic Church in the state of Nuevo Leon was an interference with religious liberty principles. But this is not necessarily so. When the church, when any church, goes into politics and casts its lot with a faction, it must expect that the state will treat it as any other organized body of civilians, especially when it takes such active part as has the Roman Catholic Church in Mexico, and countries from which it has been driven. The governor made the following statement, which it would be well for those Protestant churches engaged in attempts to secure religious legislation to take notice of: “During the life of the nation the church has been a pernicious factor in disruption and discord, and has entirely forgotten its spiritual mission.” It is not generally believed that the Mexican people will interfere with any religious body that is strictly minding its own business; but this cannot be said to have been the attitude of the Catholic Church in that unfortunate republic.