FOES OF GOVERNMENT

Chronicle (Levin), 8 December 1949, Page 5

FOES OF GOVERNMENT

. (N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuter.

New Czech Outburst Against j Catholic Bishops

Comjriohtj

RfeceiVed Thursaay, 10:15 a.m. - . . ' PRAGUE, Dec. 7. The Communist, Mihister of lustlce and new Minister for Church Aflairs, Dr. Axelei Cepicka; attacked Vatican and Cze.choslovaxian Romar\ Catholic bishops as •"■reactionary foes of the Government" when the new "Family Code" Bill was debated in the National Assemjply today. Dr, Cepicka said: "The era of Vaticari c'ohorts is past and their reactionary policies will no longer prevail.'5 Dr. Cepicka accused three bishops and others of refusing to sign birthday greetings to Marshal Stalin, which had been handed to millions of Czechs to sign. Dr. Patschova, woman member of Parliament, told tlie Assembly that the "Family Code" Bill, which she was sponsoring, would end the old' family system which had been designed .to "preserve private property throuch monogamy and the rule of the male." The new Bill, which comes into force on Januar/ 1, provides for, firstly, Compiete equality ^ between legitimate and iilegitimate children;" secondly, makes civil marriages, which must precede church ceremonies, obligatory; thirdly, allows each party to a marriage to retain his or her name, or adopt the name of the other partner;. and, fourthly, laj"s down that a couple must decicle before marriage on their children's surname. %%VAV.WBWA".V.WA'»'iW