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Christian Liberty

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · May 23, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 21.

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Christian Liberty

By Religious Liberty Bureau

Reports, Notes, and Comments Pertaining to the Current History of the Rights of Conscience
Conducted by the Religious Liberty Bureau
W. W. PRESCOTT ————— Secretary
S. B. HORTON ————— Corresponding Secretary

Enforcing the Sunday Law in Rome

By the free use of the boycott, an effort is being made in Rome to secure the better observance of Sunday and other holy days appointed by the church. This is reported in the Rome correspondence of the Catholic Standard and Times, printed in its issue of May 11, 1912. We make this extract: —
"During an audience given in 1881 by Leo XIII to the Primary Society of Rome for Catholic Interests, which body had initiated an agitation against the continuous profanation of holy days and Sundays by permission of the Italian government, that great pontiff laid to rest all the false arguments that are brought forward in favor of labor on seven days of the week. 'They say,' said Leo XIII, 'that by this means it is intended to the better promote industry and to obtain for the people a greater degree of prosperity and wealth. Stupid and lying words! They wish instead to deprive the people of the comforts, the consolations, the benefits of religion, to weaken in them the sentiment of faith and love of heavenly goods, and they are calling on nations the most tremendous punishments of God, the just avenger of his outraged honor.'"
"It was not till 1907 that a law was made in Italy obliging the people to observe the weekly repose. But, though the Italian government that made the law ought to have seen to its execution, its representatives were the first to seek expedients to infringe upon it. And now the big cities threaten to revert to their former condition."
"However, a strenuous agitation has been again entered on by the society mentioned above, so earnestly, indeed, that few doubt that success will attend its banner. In a circular sent by it to all persons of influence in Rome adherence to five points is requested: —"1. Catholic proprietors will impede"
"every kind of labor on Sundays or holy days on their possessions, with the exception of labor to which ecclesiastical authority gives consent."
"2. They shall stipulate in contracts made when letting houses the payment of a heavy fine as often as the tenants contravene the festive repose. They shall impose a similar fine in contracts with builders or workmen in their employment."
"3. Catholics shall give no orders to business houses that permit work on Sundays or holidays."
"4. They shall not buy goods on festal days in business houses that keep open, and during the week they will preferably deal with houses that close on those days."
"5. They shall refuse to accept goods made on a Sunday or holy day of obligation.'"
"With such stern measures as these, one may expect to see, if not the government, at least business men of the 'after 1870 spirit' brought to a sense of their duty."
"The 1870 Italians are extremely fond of aping English methods and ways. It will do no harm to them if they imitate the manner in which Sunday is kept in England."
Pope Leo XIII declared that the nations were inviting the judgment of God by their disregard of Sunday, and to prevent such results the Primary Society of Rome for Catholic interests is now instituting a general boycott against those who disregard the commands of the church in respect to holy days. This method of enforcing respect to the church is quite general, and has been advocated in many instances in this country.