The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-04-19
PASTORAL LETTER OF THE BISHOP OF NArcHEz
ON OCCASION OF THE DIOCESAN SYNOD HELD
AT CHATAwA IN 1874.

'"'oi Vi Inc Apostolic See, Bishop OF Matches;
- fhe Clergy and Faithful OF Our Diocese-Health nm
Blessing in Our Lord.
rs Venerable Brethren and UeU Belored TIL
n Acts of the Diocesan Synod held at St. There
0 sas, Chatawa, in the month of January last
u have just now been published. 1t is Our dut
to address to you some directions and counsel
concerning the matters treated therein.
The Holy Sacrament of Matrimouy La
again furnished the subject of part of oul
deliberations. In Our Lenten Pastoral of ls7:
we gave instructions at considerable length
on this matter. To that Pastoral Letter We
refer you lor various regulations and explana-
t'ons that ought not to be forgotten We
enclose new copy to each of the Rev. Pastors.
| MINED MARRIAGES.
AT present We wish only to give n brief ad-
monitor about the dangers growing out of
mixed marriages-that is, marriages of Catho-
| lies with persons not Catholic
The general evils of such marriages. in their
very nature, and at all times, are that thew are
dangerous to the salvation of Catholics d.
prlvlng them of many helps in the practice of
their religion, and exposing them to mauy
hlndrances and causes of lukewarmness Thew
are still more dangerous to the children. he
cause 1t is very hard for them to have n inst
affection for the faith and practices of a reli-
gion which is rejected as false, by their own
father or mother. This evil will be vastly
increased if the Catholic parent shopld die
and leave tho children among nou.Catbol;c
relations.
DANGER OF DIVORCE
But IN our cou ntry another danger is grow
ing every day more and more common. II ia
the danger of divorce, with all it's meIancbolv
consequences to both parents and cbiIdren
In marrying person who does not acknow-
edge the authority of the Church, YOU make
very unequal contract. Gods law is indeed
me same for both of you: every one that
putteth away his wife and marrietL anotber I
s"hmitteth adultery. And he that marrietb
ier that Is put away committeth adulteryD
Luke xvi 49, But if you break the law. Won s
nave the living Church to condemn Won. to emf '
'ou OIL from her Sacraments,-and to tell Won a
ha' you nave cut yourself off from all hone of
eh'eh while he has no one to hinder him from y
oahdoning you, Whenever he can get divorce
u CIVIL court. Even if he disapproyes di
orces, ana makes oath that he will ucvor "
Eek ohe-yet he acknowledges no authority q
earth that can hinder him from chappinp 81
IS mind, nor condemn his excuses for SETTING III
Tide his oath III
But besides all tho dangers that we can see -
'hesc marriages, it is enough for US to know "
at the Church declares them uulav frI ,,a ."
structlve. If she sometimes permits ther, "
- only when she fears some preotor o,.i, P
'nId follow, were she to refuse permiss;o, ;"
n voice IS the voice of God; and Won hanro+ -
pect Gods blessing on your married lif, e ~
IL make little account of her res :rictions. 90
sometimes circumstances bevord ONES con.
}! may cause some especial difficulty about "
king suitable marriage. But unless under VI
ne such necessity, take care not TO Let vorr ~
ections become fixed on any other than n W
Id OF the Church. Do not colcnlo+o ~, Z"
ting dispensation. Even if it is pranted No
'nly removes the prohibition of tho Church UN
anhot take away the dangers which neces-
ny accompany such marriage; nor the SOL
cultics which it puts in the way of SAVING mo
T souls and your children,s. la,
eep this before your mind, even in n,oli ioi
eceiVlng such visits may lead to n mar. I
liar attachment. Before your feelings no. cie
IL interested; while you are yet free and she
r headed, use your good sense and reflect l
re Hod what will probably be the effect on tho
happiness in this life and the next. "A tat,
-" - Sooi poTIlOn. She shall lie us
N to them that fear God" (Ecclesus xxvi seer
etc.
adj you, parents, watch over the best infer A
OF your children. Guard them against SIM
danger, and that you may have lipht 70 the
CT them well have recourse to the Spirit seer
light in prayer and the Sacramento. "ITr. spir
the Lord guards the city, he watcheth in one
that guards it," (Ps cxxvi. ~ por;
metlmcs parents themselves are Indirectly mos
cause OF their childrens contracting mixed will
lagos because, for worldly motives, thew may
'railIY thwart thcirrcasonablc iuclinotioro the
4e choice of husband or wife. Take cara call,
ch cases, to consider well the account van rcsu
render at Gods Judgment seat, for the it i.
OF your children. and of your chldr,n,s kno,
rem endangered by your unchristian whic
V priv:
WRITTEN PROMISES the
has been enacted in this Synod that before chief
led marriage can be sanctioned, both nor 2dI