The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-10-12
The Council at BaltimOre-What the
Prelates and TheOlOg ians are
dOing-The Questions to be Dis.
cussed-A Bishop for the Freedmen.

BALTIMoRE, October Sit is proposed in
this Council to collect the DEGREES and sta
tutes enacted by former synods OF Balti-
more and reduce them to a systematic
Corpus Juris, adding Of course number
of new regulations. Among the questions
which will be discussed is the subject Of a
good English version of the Scriptures,
which may be considered the authorized
and approved translation for the Catholics
of the United States. They have none
now. The old Douay version, which is in
common use, has never been officially
adopted, and never ought to be, for-leaving
the question of its correctness to theolo-
gians-its English is abominable. The late
Archbishop Kenrick made new transla-
ton, which was great improvement upon
the old one, and was highly priced by
Catholic scholars; but it was never stereo-
typed, and as the present Archbishop of
Baltimore is understood not to commend
it, it is not likely to be reprinted at pre-
sent. DR.. John Henry Newman was en-
gagged some years ago upon translation OF
the Bible, but believe he has abandoned
it. If the Council decides upon adopting
an authorized version, they will be puzzled
to hit upon good one.
A spirited declaration on the question Of
the temporal power of the Pope may be
looked for, and there is talk Of regular
annual collection for his Holiness in all the
churches of the country. There is an evil
dent desire on the part Of some of the
members to bring the American Church
gradually to the completeness of form and
proportions established in other countries
by the canon law, which here has never
been in force. Thus, it proposed to create
cathedral chapters and ecclesiastical
courts; to appoint rural deans and arch
deacons, and to erect regular parishes,
governed by the usual ecclesiastical laws.
At present there are no parishes in the
United States except in New Orleans.
The priests are nominally missionaries, the
limits of whose field of labor are fixed ar
bitrarily by the bishop. Probably all these
changes will not be made just yet. There
may be some alteration in the present
mode of nominating new bishops, so as to
give all the archbishops something to say
in the matter. With regard to priests, it
is seriously proposed to pass law COM
polling them to shave and wear their hair
short and have even heard rumors Of q
decree on the important subject OF gold
eve-buttons. There is disposition to
forbid the use Of churches for the purpose
Of raising money by lectures, especially
when the lecturer is layman. The case
of converts from Professionalism, and espe-
cially married clergymen, who cannot en-
ter the priesthood, will be considered, and
It is suggested that they might be allowed
to receive the tonsure and minor orders,
and assist the higher clergy in preaching,
and other duties for which the sa-
cerdotal character is not essential. The
morality of theatres and dancing, and
especially the "chOree minus domestic qua
nominibus ueaiunt," Round Dances ct
German will be duly considered. The
propriety Of accommodating Catholics
who are married by Protestant clergy
man will be discussed. An attempt will
be made to secure uniformity In the obser-
vance of festivals and fasts, and probably
the number Of both will be increased.
Some relaxation Is proposed from the rule
which forbids interments with the Catholic
ceremonial In any but Catholic burial
grounds. Much attention will no doubt
be given TO the subject Of parochial schools
and Sunday schools, to the establishment
OF reformatories and Industrial institutions,
and to Vie formation Of m American Co
tholic university, like the universities Of
Ireland and Belgium. ID connection with
this project Mount st. Mary's College ct
Emmettsburg Is spoken Of. The establish
ment of Tract Society, or rather It's sup.
port, for one has been started already Ii
New York, will also come mp. With re-
gard % the publication d Catholic books
there u rather desire 10 improve their
auaiity than TO increase their numbers, and
u not improbable that some measures
vii 20 taken 70 cnrtail the ipdiscriminats
issuos from what n calied tke Catholic
press. ] don't believe tint esthsr Htefa.
lurc ~ truth un,,JA sr,tek~ a. .s..s, e4.fu-..A