Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-06
The Chicago Markets,
The Petroleum M arket.
Hts Work Very Nearly Done.

CLoSR-THK COMING PASTORAL.
From the Baltimore American.
The third plenary council will finish its labors on
Saturday afternoon, after a month of daily ses-
sions, in which the learned bishops and theolo-
gians discussed most thoroughly and efficiently
subjects OF great importance TO the church In this
country. 1t can be said that more distinguished
body OF eccesiastics never assembled in this coun-
try, since Its theologans have been selected from
among the best educated of the Catholic clergy in
America, whose wise judgment assisted the bishops
IN framing the DEGREES passed by them Among
the DEGREES read and adopted In solemn sessions
at the cathedral, and already published exclu-
sively, in The American, were the following:
Concerning our Apostolic Wears The decree
whatsoever relates to the spread OF the faith as
their chief Office
. Concerning the Catholic Faith solemn and
quired OF ell who enter upon the sacred minlstra-
lions OF the church.
Concerning Christian Missionaries These are to
be subordinate in greater degree than has hither
TO been the case TO their natural superlorS, the
members Of the episcopacy.
nares, where they are to be taught the truths OF
religion In thorough and effective manner. The
preservation OF the Divine teaching in its pristine
purity and integrity is to be regarded as prime
duty and OF sovereign Importance.
Concerning the Examination Of the Clergy
Greater age, longer time Of theological study, and
mission to the priesthood Certain restrictions not
hitherto strictly observed in regard to the ceebra-
tlOu vi Will Ue I'd JulS
end being given the councils decision under per-
tinent statute of Pope Innocent ILL.,
Concerning the Sacrament of Matrimony The
sancttty OF the marriage tie was emphasized, and
the opinion that the union established by divine
institution Is one to be dissolved at will was con-
demned as an error to be severely reprehended.
AS the position OF the church has never been doubt
ful on this point, the resolution can only be re-
garded as an emphatic declaration OF its firm pur-
pose not to give way to any pressure that may be
brought to bear In contrary sense.
Concerning the examination for the priesthood.
THIS covered considerable number OF supulations
In detail, as to the considerations that should
govern the theological seminartes In promoting
graduates to theological ranks and the Qualifca-
tons to be demanded OF the candidates An i'm.
portant raising Of the standards Is to be aimed at
In the study OF tho Greek language on the part OF
Catholic theOlogianS; at least, this Is the most
natural inference from the title OF Head III, chap
ter uI-"De Litter1S GrBciS"
To the above must be added q large number Of
chapters concerning the sacraments and doctrines
OF the church which have been passed, and the de-
crees which are now in discussion, and which viii
sion. The pastoral letter from the fathers
OF the council to the clergy and laity OF the
United States has been In course of preparation
for several days, and will doubtless be ready for
publication early next week. 1t is understood that
after giving resume OF the growth OF the church
since the second plenaIy council, the pastoral will
refer to the ecclesiastical authority Of the church
and its relation to the state Many OF the subjects
relating TO the morals of the laity win also be
the question Of divorce, mixed marriages, round
dancing, etc. Books, magazines and newspapers
Will likely receive share Of the attention OF the
prelateS