, 1876-07-29

1~~DNAO - " UONA OLAOQ VA GnO
Catholic Congregations, he would not have
felt himself so much called on to bring on the
matter but frequently marriages take place
between Catholics and those of other denomi.
nations and this is one of the reasons for his
Interpolation. Another reason is, that those
Priests should according to the existing regu.
latiOns be Members of the respective School
Commissions and POor-C Commissions, when re-
cognized, so that they have then a right to-
be called on when those Commissions are call
ed together; but if they are not recognized,
they have no such right. This places the
Officials who have to call meetings Of those
Commissions in a position where they at times
know not what to do. He was aware, that the
two Cotholio Priests at present officiating have
not been duly recognized, therefore he had in
the second part Of the Interpolation asked if
the Presidency would take the necessary steps
to regulate this matter.
The President supposed that the Interpolation
intended to enquire not only about priests
at present officiating in the Catholic Churches,
but whether priests Of foreign denominations
generally are recognized or not. 49,.
JVjHcmoes had intended to inquire whether
the Catholic priests at present officiating are
recognized be was aware that all foreign
Ministers should be recognized before entering
on clerical duties here.
Tie President: AS regards the catholic
priests il Frederiksted they have Up to the
latest period always been recognized but the
minister at present officiating is not recognized
as yet. Here In Chri8tiansted the priests
have of late years not been recognized. He
admitted that some laxity has crept in of late,
owing chiefly to the many and frequent changes
that have taken place here among those priests.
But in future he would be mindful that this
matter be dealt with strictly In accordance
with the existing rules. These rules go as
far back as 1854, when by q Royal Rescript
OF goth September it was enacted that the
papistic inhabitants here shall be allowed free eXs
ercise of religion, and may build as many church
es and have as many priests, JeSuits only ex-
cepted, as may be considered requisite, and
may use their own clerical GARMENTS, 1t APP
pears, however, that at that time the Catholic
Clergymen settling here were, as we'll as other
Clergymen of foreign denominations, bound 10
take out a license Of naturalization For in
1920 a Royal Rescript emanated, enaoting that
priests Of other sects than the Lutheran are to
receive a regular appointment, from the Royal
Westindian Government, Instead Of the ~naturali-
%sation, temporarily for 2-3 years, and every
minister SO appointed should take the oath of
allegiance. This Rescript was afterwards by q
Rescript Of Gath April 1927 extended so that
the Governor is authorized to allow Clergymen
of foreign denominations for a longer period
than 23 years to oficiate in these Islands, and
licenses OF naturalization are done away with.
To obtain the recognition required, it was
necessary, and has always hitherto been OBJ
served, that the ChurChWardenS of the respeO-
tive denominations present to the Governor the
clergyman they on behalf Of the congregation
recommend, and that they after presenting his
credentials, mem0rialiZe the Government for
due recognition. This has in some late instan-
ces been overlooked but be would see that in
future it be strictly observed. 1t should be a
matter of conscience with the parties not to
expose others to suffer inconvenience or loss
through their neglect and the absence of
proper authority to perform clerical ceremonies
with full effect in jurisprudence, will cause
trouble for it might, to give an instance,
happen that a party considering himself legal
heir to another, may find himself deprived on
account of the absence of authority on the part
of the Clergyman to perform the ceremony in
question. 1t is the priests themselves upon
whom the duty Immediately deyolves to take
the needful steps for their recognition, and If
this is neglected, the Government is not even
always aware.
End Crownmember (WiHen0es) thanked His
Exoellency Tor the information given and he
would beg to enquire if some steps might not be
taken to legalize the marriages that are now
illegal, for instance by civil marriages. For
several years the state of things in question
has beea going on here in Christiansted, and
many acts have Of course been perform