The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-10-26
A Catholic New Departure.


been transmitted by the Holy See to
the Cardinal, Archbishops and Bishops
of the United States 1t will not be
officially promulgated by the Bishops
till next year, but Herald representa-
tive, in conversation with an eminent
doctor of canon law of the archdiocese
of New York, ascertained the text of the
document, which will have an important
bearing on the discipline of the Catho-
lie church in this country. The main
effect of the decree is the abridgement
of the Episcopal authority. The Bish-
ops are commanded to appoint in each
diocese committee of the clergy enti-
tied JUDGES causarun,, who shall investi-
gate all charges preferred against any
priest in their respective dioceses. II
they decide that the charges are ground
less, the matter will end there; but if
they pronounce the charges sustained,
then the bishop (whose office in the case
will be pretty exclusively will pronounce
sentence. This obviates arbitrary &C.
ton on the part Of the Bishops. If the
party accused has reason to believe that,
through prejudice or personal feeling,
he has not had fair trial, his right of
appeal to the Holy See remains invio-
late. The form of trial must, however,
be strictly observed in all cases. The
second point of the,decree that will prove
interesting is the change of titles among
the clergy. The term "pastor is abol-
ished, and henceforth the title of each
priest will be rector missionis (rector of
the mission). The third point is that
no priest can be removed from his
charge without cause. Hitherto the
Bishops have claimed the right to re-
move a priest arbitrarily. The cause is
to be determined by the JUDGES causar,tn,.
This is an important step toward the
establishment of complete code of
canon law. The remaining sections of
the decree relate to minor matters of
discipline, to be interpreted, in cases of
dispute or doubt, by the apostolic dele
gates. All cases in dispute now pend
ing between Bishops and clergy are to
be determined under the provisions of
the new decree Priests who have lodged
appeals with the Holy See against the
action of their Bishops, are at liberty to
withdraw them and demand an investi-
CATION in the manner above prescribed.
An exchange commenting on the
above, says: Should the announcement
of the New York Herald prove true,
that the Vatican had decreed judicial
interposition between Catholic clergy
men and their Bishops, vital step will
have been taken toward putting the
Roman Church in America on the same
basis that it occupies in the Latin and
continental States of Europe. Most
Roman Catholics and many Protestanls
will understand that there are two dis
tinct organizations of the Roman HE
rarchy: one under the canonical law,
which is the regular law of the church,
and the other under the missionary
house or congregation ode proDagondi
fde." The latter system is the mission
airy plan of the Roman church, and it
sets aside the canon law and makes the
Bishop supreme authority in his own
jurisdiction. Ever since the Reforma-
ton Great Britain and America have
been parties infdelium, or missionary jul
risdictions. Under this regime the Bishop
is supreme, and no subordinate can con-
test his authority. Many troubles have
grown out of this absolute power OF
American Bishops. Cases have come
into court where priest has appeared
against removal by the mere dictum of
his Bishop. In the plea, canon law has
been urged in vain against the preroga-
tive of the bishop.
The papal decree erects system OF
tribunals analogous to those of the canon
law. Hereafter priest is to be tried
by his peers, and can not be removed or
degraded on the mere rescript of his
ecclesiastical superior. The implicated
man has also an appeal from his court
and from his Bishop to the Vatican. In
these regulations there is o marked as
sanitation of American to the canonical
organization of the oldest states of
Europe.
Historically, it may be said, that the
policy of the Vatican has been to lessen
the authority of the Episcopate, in
order to secure the supremacy of the
Pope. 1t would be a characteristic
move for the Vatican to destroy the
judicial authority of American Bishops
in order to connect the Roman curia
more directly with the people. Mon
archy grew in Europe out of suppress
sion Of Barons and a support of the
people in their municipal organizations.
Guizot gives graphic description OF
this Roman policy, by whom Episcopal
independence was absorbed into Roman
Capitalization. Capitalization is the
doctrine of Catholicism-ever since the
Vatican Council, at least. Nothing
could more admirably suit Vatican ag
grandizement than the bringing of the
whole American church into direct de.
pendence on the Roman court. At all
events, this new decree, if authentic
goes great way toward assimilatine
church government on this continent tt
canon law. Should this initial step bt
carried out and sustained, it will be 8
practical revolution in the American
system, and 60 far to exchange Catholic
administration in this country from thu
missionary to the canonical authority o.
the Roman court.
AS il is generally useless to try u