Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-05

CONFIRMED by the vatican-Changes I'm
the Canon Law-NO Parishes or Par.
fsh Priests-Seeret Societies, Etc.

Conhrmed BY the vatican-Changes I'm
the Canon Law-No Parishes or Par.
Ism Priests-Seeret Societies, Etc.
Rome Correspondence Of the Baltimore American.
The DEGREES of the Council OF Baltimore were
brought 70 Rome by special messenger sent BY
Archbishop Gibbons. On the LIST OF March they
were presented to Cardinal simeoni, project of
the propaganda, which has charge Of Catholic
missions throughout the whole world. From
that time up till Thursday, the 10th OF Septem-
Der, when Pope Leo XIII. signified his ap-
proval or these DEGREES, the attention of the
propaganda has been occupied almost exclu-
sively with them. The examination Of them
was most minute and careful, the authorities
here entering into every detail and expression
contained In these DEGREES. Three American
tine, Fla; Dwenger, of Fort Wayne, and Gill
mour, of Cleveland-came over to Rome to sup
papd ana explain the DEGREES before the propas
careIui examination, they are now confirmed,
very little changes having been made in them,
SO t5at they will return in almost the same
Rome.
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
10 beneficial purpose. The canon law, which
took us origin In medieval times, was me-
di.eval institution, founded on and constituted
These laws and resulas lat U Which Constitute
the body OF canon law, are unsuited for a civil
ization such as that which fourishes in the
united states, and which is of later growth, OF
more universal application, and therefore can
not be governed by laws made for another con-
d1tion OF society. These new DEGREES then cut
has come over the scene. The methods of the
past, the life Of three four centuries age, have
disappeared, and the necessity OF making spe-
n nfr IN a n
country was felt by the American bishops at
the Baltimore council and acted upon accord
1ngly. The legislation of the church accommo-
dates In the present case, as it has always done
In all other cases, to the state and conditions OF
civilization which exist in the countries dealt
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 civiliza-
ton of the time. Christianity will be brought
into harmony with the education and civilian
ton Of the present age.
IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
regulations have been made for the establish
ment of schools for children, normal schools
for teachers, and o university for priests and
for those laymen who devote themselves to the
pursuits of higher knowledge. 1t is not by
.benefices,'-that great feature of the middle
ages, by which, while education was assisted 1t
was also hampered-that these results are to
be obtained; 'benefices" 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 de-
pend for her support upon the free offerings Of
the people. This has not failed her In the past,
aud she has no fears that it will fail her in the
future. On this means of support she has al
ready progressed in degree unprecedented in
the world up to the present time, and the ex-
traOrdinary growth of the Catholic church
throughout the United States and her con-
slant spread are the result and condition of this
iree-will offering of her people.
NO PARISHES AND PARISH PRIESTS.
In the new diOceses 1t 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
"beniiices,' but there they will not be en-
ployed. This, however, does not indicate that
congregation, and made the desert to blossom
as rose, will be harshly treated or removed
from the places they have built up. There will
not be an absolute removability of pastors. GER
tain percentage OF them will be declared i'm
movable, ana this holds good, except in cases
where faults are ascribed to the pastor, and
these faults and their consequences will be de-
termined by a trial. A certain amount OF lib
erty of action is required in the United States
both by bishops and clergy, and it is not advis-
able to remove curtail that liberty. The pro-
gress which the church of the United States has
made in the past is a fair ground for pursuing a
similar course of liberty in the future.
THE DIGNITY AND AUTHORITY
will be increased and brought more prominent
ly into relief. They will have their courts over
those of bishops, in which appeals will be re-
ceived before such appeals can be sent to Rome.
In future bishops will have a permanent board
or council, which they will assemble at certain
intervals during the year. They will also give
some voice to the clergy in the election of
bishops.
Another important decision Of the Baltimore
council refers to societies or associations A
stop is about to be put to indiscriminate, inju-
dicious or conflicting condemnations Of soce-
ties Hencetorward the condemnation of any
secret society will he reserved to permanent
board of all the archbishOps of the country, and
all cases OF such a nature must be referred to
them for their judgment and decision. The
greatest safeguards will be thrown around the
contraction of church debts in future. The
sanctity OF Christian marriage will be specially
guarded by suitable and effective regulations
These DEGREES will form the basis Of the cOun-
ellis about to be held in Australia and Ireland.
Thus, the initiative OF the United States will be
felt throughout the world, and the light OF the
new civilization will beam from the west on the
nations of Old Europe.