SPAIN—Religious Associations

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 1, 3 January 1907, Page 31

SPAIN — Religious Associations

Though the Spanish Government (says the \_l. atholic Times ') profess to entertain no hostility to the Catholic religion, their Bill on Associations will subject the religious Orders to same severe rules and restrictions. When an association proposes to become domiciled in \-a place , il luuot present to the civil governor of the province documents showing its constitution, the form of its administration, and what are the means upon "which it rejics for accomplishing- its work ; ' and ' any changes in the statutes or regulations of the must , also. be^ made known to the civil authorities'. ' The pro\incial»'!gpvernors are likewise to be informed -of the, number, of members in the local associations, their names, nationalities^' and so on. The Government claims "for itself the power -of suspending any association for public reasons or the security of the State. The governors' in .their respective provinces, and the mayors in -their ~ respective districts, can. enter the premises ol any association affected by the Bill, inspect books and other documents, and enter into investigations when the cause of public health or morality, or a request from any member" of the association is held" \\,o make such a visit necessary. Associations , cannot in any case possess more immovable property .than is indispensable for the attainment' of- the objects -laid down -in their- statutes. -These are a few of- the -more-- noteworthy clauses,, and "<it will be seen ..that .they give' the Stale extensive powers -of surveillance.-