State and Church

Attempts are being made to induce the Pope to recognize the abolition of the concordat in 1905 as a closed issue, state despatches from Paris. In return for this recognition the French Government would be willing to grant certain concessions to the Roman Catholic Church in France, among them being the subletting of the St. Suplice Seminary to the Church for 30 years at a nominal rental of $3,400 a year and the readmission into France of certain religious orders--Jesuits not included. Well-informed quarters say that the Government has already made a step in pursuance of their policy by re-establishing the French Embassy to the Vatican.

Since December 9, 1905, when the Churches were separated from the State, France has had no recognized State religion. On that date adherents of all creeds were authorized to form associations cultueiies. Church property was then transferred to these associations, or failing their formation, it became the property of the State and was placed at the disposal of ministers of religion. All clergy remunerated by the State received either a pension or a grant, depending on their age and service.