FRANCE AND THE POPE

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 27, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 17.

FRANCE AND THE POPE.

Trouble has been brewing for some time between the Vatican and the French Government. Legislation in France has been striking heavy blows at the most cherished institutions of the Papacy in that country. The congregations were dissolved, and have found it necessary to take up residence in other countries in order to carry out their work. Then the "religious" who remained were forbidden to teach, and their schools were closed. This was a very bitter draught for the Vatican; but all protests were in vain; and to the astonishment of outsiders who predicted the overthrow of the present government because of its attitude toward the Catholic clericals, the present government seems as strong as ever.

Because of these conditions, it was broadly hinted that when the French president should visit Italy, the pope would not receive him. The president's supporters replied that he had no intention of visiting the Vatican when he should visit the king of Italy. And yet King Edward and Emperor William, both rulers of countries Protestant in name, visited both the Quirinal and the Vatican.

The fact that there is an open breach between Catholic France and the head of the Catholic religion was emphasized by a recent despatch from Rome, from which we quote:—

The Vatican has declared an "open war" against the French Government. While Pius X.'s predecessors sacrificed everything in their efforts to preserve the concordat of 1800, which provides for the material needs of the church in France, Pius X. has come to the conclusion that, after all, the concordat is only an obstacle to the free and untrammeled exercise of religious rights by the French clergy, and has decided to raise his voice in solemn protest against the action of French legislators regarding religious orders and bishops of the church.

The pope's address to cardinals on the eve of the feast of St. Joseph, in which he severely condemned the action of the French Government, was a premeditated effort to change the policy of silent submission which has been followed for so many years in the face of the hostile attitude of the French Government.

It is generally believed that Pius X. will persist in his criticism of the French Government until the fall of the now tottering Combes ministry shall render it possible that some of the laws against religious orders and religious education shall be repealed.

Every opportunity will be taken to accentuate the papal displeasure, even if, as is expected, the French Government should decide to suppress the French embassy in Rome, and to abolish the concordat.

Just now the Combes ministry does not seem to be tottering to any dangerous degree. At the same time the influence of the Papacy in the affairs of other nations is on the increase. France, tired of papal domination, is seeking to throw it off; and her very attitude in that regard should teach the other nations the folly of their course in pandering to that power. But they are not learning the lesson; and when, finally, they have all bowed to her sway, France, too, will be compelled to yield. It is so written in the Book of books.