In an article in Blackfriars some months back, describing the circumstances that led up to the condemnation of the Action Franćaise by Cardinal Andrieu, which has since been followed by a formal promulgation by the Pope of the condemnation of the Action Franćaise which was decided upon early in 1914, I quoted the opinion of certain French Catholics who believed that the condemnation would, after a difficult tussle, result in a great strengthening of the Catholic forces in the country. Subsequent developments have, I believe, very considerably confirmed that view. With one exception there has been no apparent breach in the solidarity of the French hierarchy’s approval of Cardinal Andrieu’s action. And since the Pope has formally taken up the matter, and especially in view of the open defiance of the Holy See by the Action F rangaise leaders and their newspaper, it would be absurd to suggest that even the Bishop of Montauban—who at most only expressed his opinion that the first moves in the condemnation were no more than a serious warning against its tendencies—has any mental reservations whatever on the matter.

Needless to say, there has been a great commotion over the condemnation. Some, prominent Catholics have even gone so far as to express openly their conviction that the Pope has been misled by pro-German influences, notwithstanding the fact that the recent condemnation does little more than promulgate a condemnation which was already confirmed by Pope Pius X and Pope Benedict XV more than ten years ago.