BLUNDERS OF FRENCH CATHOLICS

M. Léon Chaîne, an earnest French Catholic, has published a book entitled, les Catholiques français et leurs difficultés actuelles^ which is now appearing in a new édition, the publishers being MM. Storck et C**, 16 rue de Gondé, Paris.

M. Chaine is, of course, strongly opposed to the policy pursued by M. Combes, but he does not hesitate to assert that the French Catholics hâve donc much to bring the troubles on themselves. If, he observes, the Catholics are sufFering in France, is it not because they hâve committed grave faults? Did they not adopt an unintelligent and culpable attitude in the famous Dreyfus affair ? Is not what is taking place to-day the expiation of the conduct of the immense majority of French Catholics in connection with the trial of Captain Dreyfus?

In othercountries Catholics showed more independence of mindandgreaterfreedom from préjudice. They denounced the iniquitiesbrought to lightduringthe légal proceedings with as much energy as other citizens, and in England even a distinguished cardinal gave expression to his désire for fair play towards the accused. Eloquent protests to the same efïect were made by Catholics in Switzerland, Belgium and the United States of America. French Catholics, says M. Chaine, need not hâve been averse to the company of men of character such as M. Aynard and M. Bérenger. If they could not sympathize with Dreyfus they could at least hâve rendered service by raising their voices against certain discreditable

proceedings to which they gave their approbation by

l silence when they did not praîse them publicly.

j The course pursued by the French Gatholics whilst the

Dreyfus affair was before the public is not the only subject upon which M. Ghaine finds fault with their action. In his

! comment he touches upon quite a number of questions.

' For instance, he states that in many parts of France the

priests do not enjoy the good will of the people. Their unpopularity is not deserved, but it can not be denied. In the countryand citiesalike the clergy are held in suspicion, and however good and hard-working a parish priest may be, he inspires distrust when he busies himself with local matters. The antipathy of the working class towards him

I is ail the more notable because of fifty thousand diocesan

! priests no less than forty thousand come from the ranks

of the people. Does not the dislike, says M. Ghaine, arise

I to a considérable extent from their want of readiness in

rallying to the third Republic ? Why not acknowledge that the clergy as a body openly manifest regret at the fall of

j the Empire, and hopes of a Royalist restoration? No

i doubt the priest has strong ground for dissatisfaction

with the présent régime. When he cornes out of collège and takes up missionary work he receives a very small stipend. He occupies an isolated position, and in the discharge of his duties he is met by difficulties on every

I hand. Every day he is harrassed — now by the prefect and

now by the press. He has to bear up under constant privations. He is the friend of the poor, but noble and well-Xo-do families who clingto traditions, and old causes are among his best supporters. M. Ghaine is not surprised if under the circumstances the clergy are somewhat discontented with the Republic. But he would hâve them bear in mind, for the welfare of religion, that it is worse than useless to object to Parliamentary government. They should also, he urges, recognize that the mînistry and the

leading parliamentarians perceive with Le Play that ali people penetrated by a fîrm belief in God and in a future life habe always rîsen above others by virtue and talent as well as by power and riches. Catholics should not entertain the opinion that the président of the Republic is to be reproached for the character of the cabinet. That is really determined by the votes of the electors. On the day when the electors send a majority of Catholic deputies to the chamber they will hâve a Catholic président and a Catholic government.

Catholic Times (Liverpool), 22 juillet 1904.