Chnrch and State.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 32, 7 August 1902, Page 24

Chnrch and State.

The new Primo Minister of thd French Republic has .ost no time in showing that in him tho Catholia Church has to expect a determined foe. In tho first address to tho ChomJber of Deputies he laid down his programme as a crusade against Caesarism and clericalism, ' until these enemies of tho Republic are! disarmed.' Caesarism, he considers, to be of little account. But clenicalism is quite another thing He will; respect the Concordat, but he will see that' the clergy respect it to. They must be confined to religious) affairs, and under no circumstances venture to intervene in politics. Tho, law against tho religious Orders ho will rigorously carry out, but with somo measure of amenity in applying its provisions to such communities as work among tho sick and the poor. As to education, ho will demand that it be made a sphere of activity in which the State shall bo supreme. Summing up his policy, it is war to tho death with clericalism and nationalism, against which) the whole strength of the Republic; is to bo directed. The Chamber adopted his programme with enthu-i si asm, and marked its approval by giving him a majority of 205 votes on the division.