All accounts from France indicate that the relations between the
State and the Church are strained to breaking- point. All over the country the Clericals and Anti-Clericals are fighting, usually within the churches themselves, and in the debates on the Law of Associations, and the way it has been carried out, constant demands are heard for the denunciation of the Concordat. A direct vote with that object was, in fact, only defeated on Wednesday by a majority of 31 (278 to 247). M. Combes resisted this vote for reasons of policy ; but the violent language of a section of the Bishops has been felt by the majority of Deputies as a challenge, and the Premier may, it is stated on good authority, be forced to yield. If not, the Republican union of groups which is his foothold will break up. At present he is asking the Pope to calm his Bishops, and the Pope might not be disinclined ; but he has to think of the monastic Orders throughout the world, and to remember that one at least of recent Anti-Clerical decrees interferes directly with the liberty of the pulpit. We presume some compromise will be found, unless it ibe true that the higher clergy, weary of being coerced by the Legislature, are willing to separate Church and State. They make a mistake if that is so, for the secularists in France will not liberate the Church from thraldom, even if the Budget of Worship is abolished.
Previous page
