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"They will eventually obey this law; they can do nothing else. We have not closed the churches of Mexico. People are allowed to enter and worship. No priest, however, can conduct a religious ceremony in Mexico until he has registered. That law is a part of our Constitution and must be obeyed."
Ruiz's Attitude. Beaming, confident, Archbishop Leopoldo Ruiz y Flores seemed convinced, at Rome last week, that not only would the Calles enforcement legislation be modified but the basic Mexican Constitution as well.
"Our Archbishops and Bishops ask," he said, "the right to meet and communicate with their clergy without any State control whatsoever. We ask that neither the clergy nor the laity shall henceforth be liable to any punishment whatsoever for conducting or attending divine services. In some Mexican cities not one church remains open—all have been turned into secular schools, barracks and magazines. We ask that all church property be restored, and that our schools be given back to us.
"The Holy Father will advise us as to every point connected with the eventual counterproposals to be received from the Mexican State. Ah, he knows the Mexican question better than I! He is certain
of the triumph of God and the Church! ..."