The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-08-26
TIL Catho.ic Synod.

The Catholic synod which has boon in ses-
sion in Richmond concluded its work on
| Thursday, aud Friday morning Iontifcal Mass
was sung at the Cathedral, Rt. Rev. John
Keane, celebTant.
In the synod the object was not only to adapt
the DEGREES and laws of the recent Plenary
Council of Baltimore to the good of the diocese
of Richmond, but to revise the whole body Of
| laws governing the clergy of the State. The
DEGREES of the Plenary Council held in Balti-
more in 1885 are formally accepted and adhered
to. The second chapter regards the govern
ment of the diocese of Richmond. 1t names
the various officials who helped the Bishop in
his work. Six priests, one-half selected by the
Bishop. the other half voted for by the priests
are known as consultors, who form the Bishops
senate. and enjoy q deliberatlve vote in the
election of a new bishop. Three other clergy
men form commission whose duty it is to ex-
anime candidates for the position of teachers
in Catholic schools. Affiliated to this is an
other commission who, four in number, exam
inc the various schools of the diocese. Minor
officials are named, likewise the duty of the
rectors of the churches, and special words of
commendation of the colored race closes this
chapter. The duties of the clergy are pointed
out The intercourse with one another; the
manner in which strangers who are priests are
to be received in regard to church services and
divine worship; the duty of living in their
parishes; the strict obligation OF preaching the
spirit that should animate preachers of Christ's
word, the need of assiduous study one and
all points seriously inculeated In connection
with study the clergy are admonished of the
two yearly meetings, where papers onphilo-
sophie. doctrinal and scriptural subjects are
read.
q G Su md
ings are dealt with most fully. The words of
the Plenary Council forbidding Catholics to sell
liquor on Sundays, while reprobating sale by
them at all, have a prominent place. The
clergy are admonshed to watch over such of
their focks who are engaged in this business.
After naming the various festal days of the
holy Church. the chapter ends by providing for
prayer and sacrifices for the deceased bishops
and clergy.
The Roman Ritual, the approved method of
administering the sacra ments and the use of
the Latin tongue, which, no matter how much
other languages change, always retains the
same meaning for its words, ore prescribed.
The sacraments of Baptism continuation, Holy
Eucharists, the mass. confession, the last an
Mounting, and marriage are respectively dis
posed of; how they should be administered,
how thew who ore about to receive them, espe-
cially the young, should be- prepared, and how
the faithful should be strenously and faithfully
instructed in regard to receiving into their
souls the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
In regard to marriages, those between Catho-
lies and Protcstants, known as "mixed - are
not to be encouraged, but as far as passible pre-
vented, and only to be granted when the req
uisite promises of non-interference with the
Catholic party in regard to religion and of the
baptizing and bringing up of the offspring as
Catholics are given. The sixth chapter treats
of the education of youth. Catholic schools
must be established wherever possible, to-
gether with Sunday schools The catechisms
complied by command of the Plenary Council
Of Baltimore are to be used in all Catholic
schools In the work in the Vineyard, the
Masters blessed example is held up before the
clergy. who are to initiate Him. The many
dangers of the faithful occasioned by danger
GUS surroundings are pointed out. AS an anti
dote to secret societies, Catholic societies and
clubs are to be encouraged. Temperance soci-
cites are most zeaIously to be fostered and en-
couraged. The religious Confraternities and
Solidarieties of the Holy Church are particu-
larly to be advanced, while for the good of the
faithful, at regular time. mission services are
to be held in the churches
Christian burial. and the danger of being de-
prived of 1t is the punishment to which negli-
gent Catholics expose themselves.
All ecclesiastical properly must be in the
bishops name. The various collections for the
orphans, the colored missions, etc.. are all
arranged. 4
1t is enjoined upon every pastor to pick out
two gentlemen ofhis parish who are of tried vir-
tue, sterling honesty and sound business quail
tiles, who will be always consulted by him In
regard to temperatures.
Among the clergy in attendance upon the
sessions of the Synod were Rev. Jno. McVery,
of Staunton, of the Committee Appeals;
Rev. Chas Donohoe, of Fredericksburg; Rev.
81. J. McKeefrey, of Martinsburg; Rev. Jno. W.
Lynch, of Lexington; Rev. Lawrence Kelly, of
Staunton; Rev. Michael Dfnneen, of Rich
mond and others we'll known in this vicinity