Bars "Tango" As a Punishable Sin

1914

Paris, Jan. 12. — Cardinal Leon Adolphe Amette, archbishop of Paris, in an admonition which was published in his churches yesterday, forbids the dancing of the tango as a sin which must be confessed and require penance. He also will publish an official admonition on the daring and eccentricities of modern dress.

"We remind the women," the cardinal says, "that they should observe always the rules of Christian modesty, which too often are violated. We ask Christian women to unite in abolishing certain styles of dress which are contrary to decency.

"We condemn the dance imported from abroad known under the name of the tango, which, by its nature, is indecent and offensive to morals and Christians may not in conscience take part therein.

"It will therefore be the duty of confessors to take notice of this in the administration of the sacrament of penance."

Andre de Fouquieres, who lectured a year ago in the United States, said that Cardinal Amette's prohibition of the tango would produce profound dismay in Parisian social circles.