§ Dr. O'DONOVANasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's representative in Mexico Possesses any record of church property owned by British subjects in Mexico; and is his Department aware whether or no such property may at any time by law be appropriated by the Mexican Government?
§ Sir J. SIMONWhile I have no definite information, I feel confident that His Majesty's Legation at Mexico City is in possession of records of English churches in Mexico. The position of church property is governed by Article 27 II of the Mexican Constitution, which reads as follows
The religious institutions known as churches, irrespective of creed, may in no 2267W case acquire, hold or administer real property nor hold mortgages thereon; property so held at present, either directly or through third parties, shall revert to the Nation, any person whatsoever being authorised to denounce property so held. Strong presumptive proof shall suffice to declare the denunciation well-founded. Places of public worship are the property of the Nation, as represented by the Federal Government, which shall determine which of them may continue to be devoted to their present purposes. Bishoprics, rectories, seminaries, orphan asylums and schools belonging to religious orders, convents and any other buildings built or intended for the administration, propagation or teaching of any religious creed shall at once become, by inherent right, the property of the Nation, to be used exclusively for the public services of the Federal or State Governments, within their respective jurisdictions. All places of public worship hereinafter erected shall be the property of the Nation.