copy
4. To effect the closing of the churches, the Soviet Authorities adopt,
among other methods, that of imposing extremely heavy taxes, which the
faithful are unable to pay. For example, at Charkow they began by
declaring that the sacred edifice was in need of repairs and by demanding
that, for the collection of the necessary funds, subscriptioms be pledged
by name- in order to terrorize the faithful; finally, a few months ago,
they proceeded to close the church permanently, notwithstanding the fact
l the strict legislative demands had been observed by the Ca
5. In some places the few churches which still remain open cannot be
cared for by priests, even though the latter have returned from exile or
prison.
6. In the space of a little more than a year, word has been
received of the death- in exile or in prison - of at least
sixteen ecclesiastics: a very high figure when considered in
proportion to the extremely limited number of priests resident
in Russia. There is no information concerning many other ec-
clesiastics, detained in Siberia or similar desolate regions.
The very few who have obtained their freedom are scarcely ever
granted permissions to exercise the sacred ministry; on the
other hand, legislative dispositions impose upon ecclesiastics
a tax of forty percemt of their income.
7. Actually, in all of Russia , - understood her as in
all cases where it has been mentioned previously, within the
political confines existing September I, 1939- there is not
a single Catholic bishop.
8. Likewise, in the territory of the U.R.S.R. - within the
confines, indicated above- no Catholic religious publication
is in circulation.