Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-27

LAITY-PrCNICs AND SUNDAY EXCURSION,
ETC
From the Baltimore American.
Ever since the November of 1854. when Bal
timore witnessed pageants OF ecclesiastical
splendor which carried one back to the palmy
Gays of the classic Leo ", members Of all reli
gious denominations have been eager 90 learn
the enactments then made regarding Catholic
discipline by the venerable and learned men
In council assembled. More than a year has
elapsed since that famous convention held
Its last session. The DEGREES have been
scrutinized By cardinals specially selected
by Leo KILL, and the complete results are
now published 10 the Catholic world, bear
ing the seal and appreciation OF the reigning
pontin. The aim of the council was 20 pro-
mote uniformity OF discipline In matters per-
taining 10 government, and TO devise new reg
ulations TO meet the exigences arising from
The enormous increase in Catholic population,
II evident TO the bishops OF this country that IL
was necessary to examine thoroughly proceed
ing legislations with the purpose OF adapting
with the appendix, extend over three hundred
pages. while the minutes occupy about one
aud display great ability on the part Of inose
engaged In formulating the proceedings.
THE TITLES OF THE DEGREES.
The DEGREES arc contained under eleven titles.
The opening decree Is on Faith, followed by de.
crses on Ecclesiastical Persons. Divine Worship
the Sacramento, the Education OF the Clergy.
the Instruction OF Catholic You'll, Christian
Doctrine, Zeal tor Souls. Church Property, Ec-
clesiastica Courts and Ecclesias tea tribunals
There is a PREDATORY eNhorting all &, faithfully
observe the enactments o. the Seco IA Pienary
Council of Baltimore, and final It'll, regarding
the PRONUNCIATION and publication OF these de-
crees. Many OF the DEGREES under the first three
titles will be Of little or no interest 10 the pub
lie, as they affect the inner workings and organ
izations OF the various dioceses, and refer TO
the the relations Ella Ms. existing between The bishop
made 10 meet all possible contingencies,
and these wise and timely regulations
| will largely contribute 10 place the do
ceses on a sure footing. Some OF these regu-
/ lations are very eloquent In their expressions
on the dignity Of the priestly state. The clergy
should remember, ii says, that this sublime
dedication OF themselves TO a cause which ex.
cludes thoughts of worldly advancement and
| power, making them advocates and CHAMPIONS
OF the doctrines Of the Prince OF Peace, H. that
which should save them rom even a thought
| OF wrong-doing. Sanctity and science are 20 be
the objects OF their labors and this is To insure
them lasting influence over the iocks in
| trusted to their care. Since, however. human
nature Is weak and may at times TAIL in tho
proper observance of the duties OF ones state,
IL is earnestly recommended that special
| house, I'm the charge OF some religious order,
should be erected Tor the reception of those
priests who, having been suspended from the
| exercise OF their functions for serious faults
Dations, that they may have an opportunity OF
regaining their lost privileges.
| CHARACTER OF THE MUSIC.
Special attention is TO be paid To the music
|
the sacred services. Worldly, irreligious and
sensual strains are positively to be excluded
| from church exercises. Those productions also
which mangle the words OF the sacred liturgy
and which, 10y indefinite repetitions, render the
hymns and psalms meaningless, not to be
tolerated, but the music must be OF such a
stamp as to elevate the soul and aid IL in it's
efforts to unite itself TO the Creator.
THE DECREE OF MARRIAGE
One OF the most important DEGREES Is that
concerning matrimony; for the strength and
durability OF the Christian church depends In
q great measure, upon the Christian family,
and there can be no Christian family without
Christian marriage-that il, marriage entered
into according 10 the teachings OF religion and
hallowed by Gods benediction. Since mar
riage was raised in the new law 10 the dignity
OF a sacrament, IL belongs solely TO the church.
10 whom the administration OF the sacrament
was entrusted, 10 pass Judgment on the validity,
rights and obligations OF marriage. This being
the case, and the marriage tie being indissolu.
BILE, IT is obvious that there is no power on
earth which can dissolve Christian marriage.
Great, indeed, is the sin OF those Catholics
who, infatuated with modern IDEAS and opin-
ions, regard matrimony as a matter of buSi-
ness, and seek by legal divorce 10 have the
marriage tie loosened or even to contract "a
new union. Against such az infrli ge these
laws severe penalties are to be enforced. No
legal divorce has the slightest power before God
TO loose the bond OF marriage and make a sub
sequent one valid. Even adultery, though IL
may justify separation from bed aud board"
cannot loose the marriage tieso that either 81
the parties may marry again during the life q
the other, nor is the legal separation TO be OBJ
tanned without first comforting with the ecclesi-
astical authorities. The clergy are frequently
| TO praise those who, Following the custom OF the
| church, contract marriage with the blessing of
the nuptfal mass. Though the church some
times permits the marriage of a Catho lie with a
non-Catholic, she never does without tie
deepest regret, and with the explicit under
standing that the children OF those pari les must
be brought up in the Catholic faith.
VIEWS on EDUCATION.
The DEGREES on the education Of the clergy
voice the sentiments 10 eloquently expressed in
the mastery speech by Bishop Spalding on this
subject during the council. Ii we would avoid
all intellectual paralysis i'm Catholic society,
our clergy must be provided with every means
of prosecuting elaborate courses OF study, and
literature with an equally brilliant true one.
Regarding the instruction OF the laity, the coun-
Gil DEGREES that, since religion can never be di-
vOrced from our actions, there Is need Of erect
ing everywhere parish schools, which may
temper religion with science that the two may
go hand in hand, SO that the intellect be not de-
veloped TO the prejudice OF the moral qualities,
but both equally developed, should result i'm the
formation of true citizens and earnest Chris
tfans. To effect this, the council orders that,
within two years from the mitigation OF
these DEGREES, a parochial school must be
erected and started near each church, unless
the bishop, for grave reason, should defer for "a
time the building OF such school. should a
priest by his own negligence prevent the
cessful carrying on OF such schools, even after
| repeated warnings from his ecclesiastical
superiors, he is to be judged worthy OF removal
| from such a position. LII, however the delay or
difficulty In having a parish school should
arise on the part OF the parish. then the bishop
| must admonsh the flock OF their boundcn
duty, and take vigorous measures 10 induce
| them TO contribute the necessary means. All
Catholic parents are bound to send their chii-
dren to these parochial schools, unless they send
them to other Catholic academies or are law
fully exempted by those who have charge VI
these affairs.
Priests are to regard these schools tho
great ornament of their parish. and to show
their interest by frequently visiting them and
by giving personally the Instructions in
church doctrine and sacred history, or appoint
ing those to this office whom they know are
fully competent TO discharge well the duties
connected with il. Instructions are also
given Tor the laity who have means TO
contribute literally possible ulti-
mately to found free schools through ~ '.iC
country. The eight millions of colored people
in the country are the subject OF "a vigorous
plea for help from ali these who would place
this important element OF the future In it's
proper place To act for the veal of this republic.
The Indian tribes have also found eloquent
defenders among the bishops, and arrange
ments have been made for a special yearly col.
lection TO be taken up in all the churches
throughout the country TO help In promoting
Catholicity among both the colored people
and the Indian tribes
on SECRET SOCIETIES.
Special consideration is devoted TO the action
and work of the laity, and their combination
in associations Tor the better realization OF their
work. but all must be mindful of the fact that
the laity members OF the Body of Christ,
and that their legitimate action and work as