Religious societies may be incorporated in accordance with the general provisions of the civil law. Existing religious societies remain, to the same extent as heretofore, public bodies corporate. The same rights shall be accorded to other religious societies if by their constitution and the number of their members they offer a guaranty of permanence. If a number of such public religious societies unite, this union is also a public body corporate. The religious societies, which are recognized by law as bodies corporate, are entitled on the basis of the civil tax rolls to raise taxes according to the provisions of the laws of the respective States. The associations, which have as their aim the cultivation of a system of ethics, have the same privileges as the religious societies. The issuance of further regulations necessary for carrying out these provisions comes under the jurisdiction of the States. ARTICLE 138 State contributions to religious societies authorized by law, contract, or any special grant, will be commuted by State legislation. The general principles of such legislation will be defined by the Commonwealth. The property of religious societies and unions and other rights to their cultural, educational, and charitable institutions, foundations, and other possessions are guaranteed. ARTICLE 139 Sundays and legal holidays remain under the protection of law as days of rest and spiritual edification. ARTICLE 140 The members of the armed forces shall be granted the necessary leave for the performance of their religious duties. ARTICLE 141 In so far as there is need for religious services and spiritual care in hospitals, prisons or other public institutions, the religious societies shall be permitted to perform the religious offices, but all compulsion shall be avoided. _SECTION IV_ EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS ARTICLE 142 Art, science and the teaching thereof are free. The state guarantees their protection and takes part in fostering them. ARTICLE 143 The education of the young shall be provided for through public institutions. In their establishment the Commonwealth, States and municipalities co-operate. The training of teachers shall be regulated in a uniform manner for the Commonwealth according to the generally recognized principles of higher education. The teachers in the public schools have the rights and duties of state officers. ARTICLE 144 The entire school system is under the supervision of the state; it may grant a share therein to the municipalities. The supervision of schools will exercised by technically trained officers who must devote their time principally to this duty. ARTICLE 145