The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-25
THE PLENARY COUNCIL.
THE DEGREES ENACTED BY THE
COUNCIL AT
The Meeting In Baltimore Given to
the Pnblic-Ihe Marriage Rela'
tiOn and Parish Schools.

day in printed form. They extend
over 400 pages and are in Latin. The
american will tomorrow publish an
extended summary of them which
was prepared by one OF the leading
translators connected with the church
in this city. The DEGREES are con-
tanned under eleven titles
The opening decree is on faith, fol-
lowed by DEGREES on ecclesiastical per-
sons, divine worship, the sacramento,
the education of the clergy, the in
struction of Catholic youth, Christian
doctrine, zeal for souls, church prop
erty, ecclesiastical courts and ecclesi |
astical tribunals. There is predatory |
exhorting all to faithfully observe |
the enactments of the second plenary |
council OF Baltimore and in the final
title regarding the PRONUNCIATION and
! implication of these DEGREES.
some of thtte DEGREES under the first
three titles will be OF little interest to
the public, as they affect the inner
workings OF the various dioceses and
refer to the relations existing between
the bishop aud bis clergy. Special
ems ctments are made to meet all poiF
sble conteneencies, and these regula-
tons will largely contribute 20 place
he dioceses on sure o)ting.
one OF these regulations are very
eoquent in their expressions on
The dignity of the clergy.
SInctity and science are to be
the objects If their LAHORE, and this is
TO insure them a lasting influence
4 over the flocss entrusted to their care.
II is recommended that a special
house, in charge of some religious
order, should be erected for the re-
ception of priests who have been sus-
pended from the exercise of their
functions for serious faults, yet give
hopes OF correcting their vicious incli-
nations, that they may have an oppor-
tunity OF regaining their lost privileges.
J Special attention is to be paid to the
music adopted in the churches to add
solemnity to the sacred services.
Worldly, irreligious, sensual strains
are positively to be excluded from
! church exercises.
ONE or THE MOST IMPORTANT DEGREES
5 il that concerning ma'rimony. 1t
holds that since marriage was raised
to the dignity tf atac ament 1t belongs
; solely to the church, 10 wnom the adj
= mini, tration OF the sacrament was en-
: trusted, to pass judgment on the val
, idity, rights and obligation OF mar.
rage This being the case, and the
! marriage tie being indiss oluble, 1t il
Q obvious that there is no power on
g earth which can dissolve christian mar
; riage. Against such as infringe these
laws severe penalties are to be en-
0 forced. No legal decree has the slight
u est power before Gcd TO loose the bono
= of m Brriage and make subsequent
q one valid Even adultery, though i
m " Justly separation from bed anC
0 board, cannot lcoae The marriage tie 81
h that either OF the parties may marry
ii again during the LIE OF the other, no
n is the legal separation to be obtained
without first comforting with the &c
10 cl ssiagtica authorities. Though thu
n church sometimes permits the mar
10 risge Of Catholic with a non.Catho
= lie, she never does so without tn
deepest regret, and with the explicit
B. u 1derstAnding that the children O
h those parties must be brought ap II
l. the Catholic filth,
D. PARISH SCHOOLS.
81 Regarding the instruction OF tn
IA laity, the Council DEGREES that, sine
Nv religion can never be divorced iron
Re our actions, there is a need of:erectin
IA everywhere parish schools, whic
in may 80 temper religion with scienc
OF that the two may go hand in hand. 4
n. effect this the council orders tha
III within two years from the promu
ne CATION OF these DEGREES parochis
school must be cree ed and starte
near each church, unless the bishop
for grave reasons, should defe
for time the building OF such
at school. Should a priest by his ow
.ly negligence prevent the successful ca
~ rying on of such schools, he is to !
Vi Judged worthy OF removal. All Catl
ne ohc parents are bound to send the
it children to these parochial school
tv unless they send them TO other Cath'
- lie academies, or are lawfully eXemp
III ed by those who have charge of thes
IN affairs
II TIKI NEGROES AND INDIANS.
We The 100000 of colored plople
mt the country are the subject Of vi
IN. orous plea for help from al those wi
would place this important element
ny the future in q place to act for II
- veal OF this Republic
I'm The Indian tribes have also bee
no considered and arrangements hay
" been made for separate yearly &C
an lection to be taken up in all church,
lar throughout the country to help
I'm promoting Catholicity among BOT
nd the colored people and the lndii
~ tribes Special consideration is devote
lts TO the action and work OF the lai
M and their combination in association
mic for the better realization OF their wor
IN. butall must be mindful OF the iact tn
= the laity are members OF the body
ne Christ, aud that their legitimate acti,
its and work as Christians must be in G
era tire uniformity with theirlaw hea
I've SECRET SoCIRrIEs.
M. All secret societies, which are
cret as the Church, understand Il
gre term such as Masonic lodges a
de- other similar confraternities-are 4
eir TO be Joined by Catholics. Not OF
an are such societies to be stunned, b
Al all TGQutdNtl W ~ ~
'he estly as possible in the work OF {
'ro- societies which are acting in all thir
rad according to the spirit of the chur'
ub. COLLECTION or MONEY FOR PIoUs ri
81 POSES.
The DEGREES about the collecting
GUS money for pious purposes will doul
Ar less surprise most people, for the d
md cisions are explicitly condemnatory
the many methods now in vogue. I
council directs the pastors to have
nS' every church free space, and adm'
ing ishes them from humiliating peol
can in public II they do not exactly Ike
Tree within the limits of that space, I
Iese council also orders that no clergym
Ion- shall ever prosecute Il layman
10 money due to the church, even
lib pew rent unless he has asked les
Q is from the bishop. Another thi
his done by the council is the ,
/ Of hibiting OF picnics and excursi'