Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-07
EVERY DECREE PASSED.
ws,A ar the pie.srr Csusei'-Aesisa % the
y..... upen the Work Of the AsssmblS.

attention OF the Propaganua mas peen
occuoied almost exclusively with them.
The examination Of them was most
minute and careful, the authorities here
entering into every detail and express
sion contained in these DEGREES. Three
American bishops-Right Rev. Drs.
Moore, of St. Augustine, Fla; Owen
ger. of Fort Wayne, and Gilmour, OF
Cleveland came over to Rome to sup
port and explain these DEGREES before
The Propaganda, and after this length
ened scrutiny and careful examination
they are now confirmed, very little
changes having been made in them. so
that they will return in almost the same
condition as they were in when brought
to Rene.
CHANGES IN CANON LAW.
These DEGREES will do very much for
the Church in the United States. Their
influence will be felt throughout the
whole country, and to a beneficial pur-
pose. The canon law, which took its
origin in medieval times, was a me-
dieval institution, founded on and con-
stituted for civilization that has al
most passed away. These laws and
regulations, which constitute the body
of canon law, are unsuited for a civili-
cation such as that which flourishes in
the United States, and which is Of later
growth, of more universal application,
and therefore cannot be governed by
laws made for another condition OF So
ciety. These new DEGREES then cut
into the canon law of former times. A
change has come over the scene. The
methods of the past, the life of three or
four centuries ago, have disappeared,
and the necessity of making special laws
to suit the new circumstances Of the
country was felt by the American
bishops at the Baltimore Council, and
acted upon accordingly. The legisla-
ton Of the Church accommodates in
the present case, as it has always done
in all other cases, to the state and con-
ditions Of civilization which exist in the
countries dealt with. These new de-
crees will constitute law suitable for
the time. The education of the clergy
will be elevated to the wants Of the
time. The Christian civilization Of the
people will be made to keep pace with
the material civilization Of the time.
Christianity will be brought into har-
mony with the education and ciyiliza-
tion of the present age.
IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCA-
TION
regulations have been made for the
establishment Of schools for children,
normal schools for teachers, and uni
versity for priests and for those laymen
who devote themselves to the pursuits
of higher knowledge. 1t is not by
benefces that great feature of the
Middle Ages, by which, while educa-
cation was assisted, it was also ham-
pered-that these results are to be OBJ
tanned; benefces " will not be
brought in as means Of support.
The Catholic Church in the United
States wants no subsidy from the
State, and thus it will not become
a servant, or rather a slave OF
the State, as it has SO often been in
European countries-such as France
and Austria. The Church in America
prefers to depend for her support upon
the free offerings Of the people. This
has not failed her in the past, and she
has no fears that it will fail her in the
future. On this means Of support she
has already progressed in degree I'M
precedented in the world up to the pre-
sent time, and the extraordinary growth
of the Catholic Church throughout the
United States and her constant spread
are the result and condition of this
free-will Offering Of her people.
NO PARISHES AND PARISH PRIESTS.
In the new dioceses it is provided
that no such thing as parishes and
parish priests, in the old canonical
sense of the term, will exist in the
United States. These were founded
on " benefces," but there they will moi
be employed. This, however, does mo-
indicate that pastors who have created
and fostered congregation, and made
the desert to blossom as rose, will b.
harshly treated or removed from th'
places they have built up. There vii
not be an absolute remoyability o
pastors. A certain percentage Of then
will be declared immovable, and thi
holds good, except in cases where fault
are ascribed to the pastor, and thes,
faults and their consequences will b.
determined by trial. A certain
amount Of liberty Of action is required
in the United States both by bishop
and clergy, and it is not advisable t
remove or curtail that liberty. Tn
progress which the Church of the Unite'
States has made in the past is fai
ground for pursuing similar course o
liberty in the future.
THE DIGNITY AND AUTHORITY
will be increased and brought NOR
prominently into relief. They will hav
their courts over those Of bishops, il
which appeals will be received befor
such appeals can be sent to Rome. Il
future bishops will have q permanen
board or council. which they will as
semble at certain intervals during tn
year. They will also give some voic
. to the clergy in the election of bishops
Another important decision Of tn
Baltimore council refers to societies o
associations. A stop is about to b
put to indiscriminate, injudicious, o
! conflicting COMBINATIONS Of societies
Henceforward the condemnation of an
secret society will be reserved to a pei
manent board OF all the archbishops c
the country, and all cases of such ma
ture must be referred to them for thei
I judgment and decision. The creates
safeguards will be thrown around tn
contraction Of church debts in future
The sanctity OF Christian marriage wi
l be specially guarded by suitable an
effective regulations.
Much was said on the holding Of eC
. clesiasticsl property; but as differer
: laws exist in different dloceses, it wa
left to each bishop to adopt the mean
best suited to each particular case.
Theca docraac will form tho basis I