NOTES FROM PARIS

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 45, 25 November 1925, Page 55

NOTES FROM PARIS

ABROGATION OF SECULAR LAWS DEMANDED. From ten to twelve thousand Catholics at Paray-le-Monial the demand was made that the so-called lay laws should be removed from the statute book of France. The meeting at which this demand was made was called by the Catholic Union of Autun, and to enable the crowd, which was estimated to exceed 12,000, five loud speakers were installed which carried the speeches to every corner of the great park where the meeting was held. President de Maistre of the Catholic Union explained that the assembly had been called to protest against the laicity laws, and to demand formally their abrogation. Mr. Marcel Bucard said that the glorious achievements of the Catholics during the war entitled them to demand that justice should be done to them. The Catholics of Brittany and the Vendee were represented by M. de Grandmaison, deputy for the Lower Loire, who declared that France must either remain Christian or must go down. Mgr. Chassagnon, the Bishop of Autun, made the closing speech, when he put the resolution, passed by an overwhelming vote, that the Catholics will not cease from effective organisation until their demands for religious liberty are met and that all menaces are done away with. CONSECRATION OF WAR WIDOWS. A very interesting religious ceremony took place at Cormeilles-en-Parisis, when the first French Oblates of St. Frances of Rome were consecrated. These war widows have grouped themselves under the name of the Spiritual Union, of the Widows of France, in the same manner as the spiritual daughters of St. Frances of Rome. The act of oblation was

made in the presence of the president of the Monastery of Tor de Specchi, with whom were the Abbot-General of the Olivetans and Abbot Marechaux, who is the commissary in France for the monks of the Olivetan Congregation. The Pope expressed his approval of this movement by sending his special blessing to the war widows, and empowering Abbot Parodi to impart the Pontifical Benediction. The association of war widows binds its members together to live an almost conventual life in the world, and although not technically religious they live under a defined rule of life. THE BISHOPS AND THE LOAN. In spit® of M. Herriot’s sneer about “bankers Christianity,” the Government is very concerned that the bishops should do all in their power to make the National Loan a success. There are not a few Catholics who are in doubt whether they ought to lend their money to any Government, so long ,as the anti-Catholic laicity laws remain in force. One such Catholic wrote to Cardinal Dubois, Archbishop of Paris, to ask what he ought to do. Cardinal Dubois’ answer was to the point. “It is regrettable that these laws continue in force,” said the Cardinal, “but it is France that calls for your help, it is to France that we give it, and it is for France that we are asked to lend our money.” The Cardinal adds that Catholics should subscribe to the loan, which is to help the country and not any particular Government; for should the loan fail, there is more than a possibility that the present Government might be followed by one very much more hostile to the Church. Mgr. Gaillard, the Bishop of Meaux, is in favor of the loan, and has written to all his clergy to that effect. His Lordship paints out to his Catholic diocesans that they are acting as good Frenchmen in subscribing to the loan, which, if it be successful, would be the best thing for the national credit.