What the Constitution Forbids and Why the Law Was Enacted The struggle which: is"going on et the present time in Mexico between the Mexican Government, and the Catholic Church affords opportunity for considerable propaganda en. both sides. Among the pamphets which have been received here, is one issued by The Academy Eres, in.which extracts taken from The Social Revolution in Mexico," by Edward Alsworth Ross, give certain interesting facts in the /history of this and of earlier strug-gies.
"At first blush," says the writer, "the Catholic Church, which has the allegiance of at least 95 per sent. of Mexican adults, seems to be hounded and persecuted by the state. By the constitution of 1917 it is forbidden:
To own real estate or mortgages on of church buildings "POT eas rt sen To hold rel of church buildings.
To clothe its ministers with a garb ieative of their calling, Ministers of religion may not publicly criticize the fundamental laws, the authorities in particular or the government in general. They may not vote, hold office, or assemble for political purposes. Clergymen may not inherit real property occupied by a religious association, ct inherit it from fellow-clergymen for from private individuals not blood relatives. No assembly of a political character may be held in of public worship. No ical party' may bear a name Indicative of relation to any religious belief.
"No religious periodical may com-mont on. political affairs. studies carried on in theological seminaries may be credited in a state university. Official permission aust be obtained before opening ow temple of worship for public use. The state legislature may termine the maximum number of ministers of religious creeds ai cording to' the needs of a locality. Marriage appertains to the clusive jurisdiction of the civil authorities, although, of course, a jous ceremony may follow 'In the Laws of Reform of 1859, the' Constitution of 1857, and the Jaws enacted under it one finds: esslon of, monasteries and mot their property. novices taking the jrabolton, of religious, Raiders save Nhe Minging of church-bells subject to local ordinance laniipalteation of cemeteries, "From this bristling array one may safely deduce that Mexico has been the theatre of a prolonged and desperate struggle between charch and state, The Catholic Domination "As far back as the middle of the last century it became clear to the Mexican liberals that popular government would never have a chance Mexico so long as the Catholic archy, controlling two-thirds of the productive wealth of the coun-toy, dominated economic life and monopolized the great opinion-forming agencies, religion, education, and charity. The issue was between the 13th Century and the 19th and there was no avoiding it. The Constitutic was to survive till 1917, is aeric with the smoke of the conflict which followed.
"The hierarchy resisted for 10 years and earned the hate of the Mexican patriots by bringing about the French intervention by Napo-eon and the fatuous Hapsburg empire. When; in 1867, Maximilian fell before the fung squad, it was lecttled that 19th Century' political ideas were to have their' innings.
"The revolutionary period, 1911- 1920, was-a via dolorosa for the church: There were numerous. atrocities and in 1913-1915 many, ecclesiastics hid themselves or fled for their lives. Since the: fighting ended. the church has been recover ing. some of its lost ground. In parts of Mexico, the church balls Feginiringing at'5 in the morning and for the next. hour and. a hale there is not a moment. of quiet."
The author goes ea to point out that looking far ahead shows certain tried facts. One of these is that. the captains of the church jetick. more loyally by their ship than the captains of the state, The ecclesiastic works for the church all his life, knowing that will take care of him all his life, while the politician abandons poli ties once he has got what he wants.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.