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Handout #224 |
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L'Avenir |
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The journal founded by Lamennais and his
friends appeared from 15 October 1839 to 15 November 1831. His program,
which has been taken the clergy in the spiritual order. The over by all
modem democracies, made him a scandal to the bishops and Catholic nobility
of the time.
Appeal to priests to give up their stipends (18 October 1830) Ministers of the one who was born in a manger and died on a cross, return to your origins; of your own will steep yourselves again in poverty, in suffering, and the word of the suffering God, the poor God, will be as effective on your lips as it was in the beginning. With no other support than this divine word, go do" like the twelve fishermen into the midst of the peoples and begin the conquest of the world again. A new era of triumph and glory is in preparation for Christianity. See on the horizon the signs which foretell the rising of the star and, as messengers of hope, burst into the song of life over the ruins of empires, the debris of all that comes to pass. Legislative programme (7 December 1830): We call, first, for freedom of conscience or freedom of religion; full, universal, without distinction and without privilege, and therefore, as far as it affects us who are Catholics, for total separation of church and state. This necessary separation, without which there would be no religious freedom for Catholics, involves on the one hand the suppression of the church budget and on the other the absolute independence of the clergy in the spiritual order. The priest will still be subject to the laws of the country, similarly to and to the same degree as other citizens. Secondly, we call freedom of teaching, because it is a natural right and as it were the first freedom of the family, because without it there is neither religious freedom or freedom of opinion. In third place we call for freedom of the press ... In fourth place we call for freedom of association ... In fifth place we call for an extension of the principle of election, so that it penetrates right to the heart of the masses ... In sixth place we call for the abolition of the baneful system of centralization, which is deplorable and shameful relic of imperial despotism. According to our principles all interest parties have the right to self-administration. |
