Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-08-20
CATHOLIC SYNOD.
TEE SECOND DIOCESAN MEETING 10
CLOSE TODAY.
The Laws snd DEGREES of the Baltimore
couneil Adapted to the Diocese
Of Richmond, DC.

national or plenary COUNCILS OF Ane 10
spsctive countries still again, more
local ooloripg is given to the same in
provincial councils, which are made
up Of an archbishop and the few oish-
ops known as his sutfrsgsnS. Finally,
in every diocese Of the Church, which IL
The State or part Of 9 country governed
by q bishop, the various laws, national
or plenary additions, aud provincial al
t.rstions are considered and acted upon
by the clergy Of that State or section
Of country under the guidance OF their
bishop. II is the last which terminates
its sessions ct ST. Peters Cathedral this
morning. For the second time, after
an interval Of thirty years, the Roman
Catholic clergy Of Virginia are gathered
in this city in Synod. The laws made
in higher ecclesiastical assemblies could
not be altered in the Synod, which.
moreover, derived its strength al
binding power from the presiding off,
cer-the Right Rev. Bishop Keans.
OBJECT oF THIS SESSION.
In the present Synod the great object
was not only 10 adapt the DEGREES and
laws Of the recent Plenary Council Of
Baltimore to the wsnA and the good OF
The Diocese Of Richmond, but also 10
revise in the fullest way the whole body
Of laws governing the clergy Of the
State. Ii is eommendsble 10 the wisdom
and foresight Of the clergy Of the First
Synod Of Richmond that their work
lasted thirty years without let or him
draDce or substantial change.
THE NINE CHAPTERS.
The sublect-mstter OF the Synod is
divided into nine chapters. In the first
the DEGREES Of the late Plensry Council,
held in Baltimore in 1885, are formally
accepted and adhered TO. The second
obspter regards the Diocese Of Rich
mond. 1t names the various officials
who helped the Bishop 10 his work.
Six priests-one half selected by the
Bishop. the other half voted for BY
the priests-sre known as consulters,
who form the Bishops Senate and en-
10Y q deliberstive vote in the election
Of new bishop. Three other clergy
men form . commission, whose duty it
Is 70 examine candidates for the posi-
ton Of teachers in Catholic schools.
Affiliated to this is another commission,
who, four in number, examine the va
rious schools Of the diocese. Minor
officials are named; Likewise the duties
Of lbe rectors Of the churches; and
special words OF Communication OF the
colored race close this chapter.
IN tie next the duties OF the clergy
are pointed out. Their intercourse with
one another; the manner in which
strangers who are priests are TO be re-
csived in regard 20 church services and
Divine worship; the duty OF living IN
their parishes the strict obligation OF
preaching; the spirit that should AMI
mate preachers Of Christ's Word the
NEED Of assiduous study, are-one and
sll-points seriously inculcated. In coD
nection with study tn. clergy are 81
monished Of the two yearly meeting
where papers on phlosophic, doctrins
sud scripiurSl subjects are read. Th
annual week Of PRAYER, the dress Of ID.
clergy, the care Of their homes, Of
their church accounts, Of their church
records, are the closing matter Of this
chapter. which ends with provision
for infrm and aged priests-a kind o!
beneficial society.
In the fourth chapter the Divine
worship and its sacred surroundings are
dealt with most fully. The words OF
The Plersry Council forbidding Cstho-
lies TO sell liquor on Sundays, while re-
pTobsiiDg its sale by them at all, have
a prominent place. The clergy are i'd
mopishsd TO watch over such Of their
focks who are engaged in this wretched
business. After naming the various fes-
t.l DAYS Of the Holy Church, the chapter
ends by providing for prayers and sscri-
fees for the deceased bishops and clergy.
In the fifth chapter the means Of ssnctih-
cation form.weighty subject o,consider-
stion. The Roman ritual, the approved
method Of administering the sscraments,
and the use Of the Latin tongue, which.
DO matter how much other languages
may change, always retains the same
meaning for its words, are prescribed.
The sAcrsments Of baptism, c0nirma-
,iou. Holy Eucharist, the mass, confes-
sion, the last amounting, and marriage
sre respectively disposed of-how they
should be administered how they who
are about 70 receive then, specially the
Young, should be prepared, and how
the faithful should be strenuously
ard faithfully instructed IN regard
10 these means OF receiving into
their souls the precious blood OF Jesus
Christ. In regard to marriages, those
between Catholics and ProteStan!s,
known as mixed" are not to be en-
coursged, but as far as possible pre-
vented, and only TO be granted where
the requisite promises Of nOn-interier-
ence with the Catholic party in regard
to religion. and Of the bAptizing and
bringing up OF the offspring IS Catholics
are given. The 9th chapter treats OF
the education Of youth. Catholic
schools must be established wherever
possible. together with Sunday schools.
The catechisms compiled by command
Of the Plenary Council Of Baltimore
are 10 be used in all Catholic schools.
The seventh chapter - devoted TO
The work in the vineyard. The Masters
blessed example is held up before the
clergy, who are to initiate him. The
naby dangers Of the faithful, cccasioned
by dangerous surroundings, are pointed
out. As al antidote TO secret societies.
Catholic societies and clubs are TO bs
encouraged. Temperance societies are
most zeslously 10 be fosiered and en-
cours,sd. Tie religious confraierni-
ties and sodalitiss Of the Holy
Church are particularly 10 be ad-
yanee6, while for the good Of
faithful. st a regular tine, missioa ser
vices are TO be held in the churches.
The eighth ehspisF treats OF Christian
burial. and the Danger Of being de-
privsd o. i is the punishment to which
negligent Catholics expose themselves.
The ninth and l&.t chapter treats