p. 4 | France’s Church-State Separation Crisis

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 22, 1906

France’s Church-State Separation Crisis

THAT the present condition of things in France, growing out of the movement to separate church and state, is serious, even when viewed by Roman Catholics themselves, there can be no doubt. This is clearly indicated by what is printed in Roman Catholic publications. As an illustration of this we may refer to a paragraph which appeared in a recent issue of the New World (Catholic), with the heading “A Darkening Situation,” which we quote in full:—

The events of the last week have thrown a lurid light on the situation in France, and shown at the same time the wisdom of the holy see in rejecting the associations cultuelles. Two such associations have been organized by suspended priests, and officially recognized by the French law. How many other of these schismatic organizations will be established next week it is impossible to say, but this much is clear:

all priests who take part in the operations of such societies will be suspended. Then, again, the new Hussites have declared, through their leader Des Roux, that the pope “abuses the name of Christ,” and that in the whole of the New Testament it is not possible to find a word in favor of the constitution of “a church resembling in the smallest degree the Vatican church.” Finally, the Temps announces semiofficially that the Separation Law will be brought before Parliament again in order to have its provisions made more hostile to the church; in fact, to decree its immediate and definite dissolution in France.