The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-12-17
Asasi OF Pope Plus the Ninth-Exnor.
tafiOn TO the ESsIl ons An COuncty.

koME, December IA Papal bull of
much Importance has just been issued i m
inc HOLY City by Pope Plus IX.
1hc pun likes 4 strict seal of secrecy on
the prelates who are assembled in the Gem
era' Council, and also establishes the regl-
lationS Tor the guidance and rule of the pro-
cceulngs OF the ~asscmblage. In the cXor-
dunn the Holy Father exh6rts and adiures
the bishops TO live in the spirit and prac-
tlce OF the cardinal virtues of charity and
humility. with Sohricty and a serious con-
temptation Of the dignity and reverence of
The occasion during the entire time of the
meeting. He declares that although the
a>Sehlhied prc!ateS and patriarchs enjoy and
nave the right Of making propositions to
Inc entire body at any time. the fact of the
touncll III lis essentials belong only TO the
Head OF the Church, and the Sacred College,
ana Ecclesiastical Court of Rome, as ex-
pressed IL the words et nos ct I'D sdnctun
ScdH7n. He desires and cxhorts each one Of
The most reverend fathers to think and con-
slider it his duty 80 make propositions in the
Council. but only on the following condi-
ti0nS-viZ
First. That such propositions shall be
made nwriting and submitted for scrutiny
privately, or before being placed for de-
bate, 10 q council committee of bishops
named blythe Pope beforehand, and charged
VITA the duty Of examining whether the
resolutions are in accordance with Church
discipline.
Second. That all propositions so ordered
shall have for their object, in some manner
stated, the general interests of the Church,
and not the Interests Of any one particular
diocese Of the Church.
Third. THAT each resolution shall be ac-
companicd by a statement setting forth the
motives which influenced and led to its pre-
sontation.
Fourth. That the resolution or resolu-
lions shall in each instance he couched in
words n language and intent so as to be
made strictly conformable to the spirit,
teachings, and traditions Of the Holy Calho-
lie Church.
His Holiness, by this bull, imposes a bond
OF secrecy on every person concerned with
the touciIiary labors. He also fixes the rule
of order Of precedence during the proceed
ings OF the body. the prclates ranking in the
following degrees: Cardinal bishops, cardi-
nal priests, cardinal dcacons, patriarchs,
prlmatcs, archbishopS, bishops, mitred alb
bots. and generals OF monastic orders.
The Pope authorizes the appointment of
certain fathers designated, ten in number,
who are to he chorgcd with the adjudica-
ton and settlement OF all CONVERSATIONS or
points OF difference arising among the reve-
rend fathers in the Council ut large. He
appoints also the officers ofthe Council, and
in this names as 3cgah or prTSides over
general congregations, or council commit
tees. the Cardinals de ReiSach, of Vienna
d" Lucca, Bizarri, Bilio, and Capalti. Right
reverend fathers desiring to %haranguc the
Council Assembly must have been first a,,-
}horizcd 10y the aforesaid iegdH 10 do so,
and this authorization must he had on the
preceding evening, at least. All matters
relating 10 Church canonS or canon law
must be submitted to the members Of one
of the four commiSSioncrS-on Faith. Disci-
pline, Religious Orders. and Oriental AZ
Iairs-which have been duly appointed and
made public.
The members OF each of these several
commissions have been chosen by the biSll-
| ops themselves, but each commission is pre-
sided over BY " cardinal named by the Pope
for that duty. The bull prohibits the most
reverend fathers from absenting themselves
before the conclusion Of the Council, and
authorizes and permits them to reside out
of their several dioccSeS and places Of local
charge during the whole period Of the Ses-
sion OF the Council.
A majority Of the bishops are, it is said.
dissatisfied with many of the provisions of
the bull.