Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-25
CATHOLIC CHURCH LAWS,
THE DEGREES ENACTEDBY THE
PLENARY COUNCIL.

Four Hundred Pages Required to Print
Them-Church Music must be solemn
-IndtssOIubiiity Of the Marriage Con-
traot-ParOohial schools Ordered Con.
structed Near Each Church.
BALTIMORE, March 24-The DEGREES
enacted by the Plenary Council held in
this city IN November, 1884, which were
sent to Rome for approval and returned
several months ago, were given to few
favored persons to-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
ot the leading translators connected
WIN hechurch in this city. The DEGREES
are contained under eleven It'll es. Special
enactments are made to meet all possible
contingencies, and these wise aud timely
regulations Will largely contribute to
place the diocese ON a sure footing.
CHURCH MUSIC.
Special attention is 10 be paid 20 the
music adopted in churches TO add soIem.
nifty to the sacred services. Worldly, ir.
religious and sensual stains are posi-
lively to be executed from the church
exercises.
One OF the most important decrees is
mat concerning matrimOny. Since mar
riage was raised in the new law 10 the
dignity OF the sacrament it belongs solely
to the church to whom the administration
OF the sacrament was intrusted to pass
Judgment on the validity, rights and Oblis
CATIONS OF marriage.
DIVORCE NOT RECOGNIZED.
This being the case, and the marriage
tls being indissoluble, IL IL obvious that
there is no power on earth which can dis-
soiVe Christian marriage. Against such
rs infringe these laws severe penalties
are TO be enforced. No legal divorce has
the slightest power before God 10 loose
the BOND OF marriage aud make a subse-
quent one valid, even adultery though 10
may Justify "separation from bed and
board" cannot loose the marriage tie so
that either OF the parties may marry gain
during the life Of either nor is legal sep
aration TO be obtained without first con-
ierring with the ecclesiastical authority.
though the church sometimes permits the
marriage OF Catholic with non-Catho-
lie she never does so without the deepest
regret, aud with the explicit Understands
lng that the children Of those parties must
be brought up in the Catholic faith.
INSTRUCTION OF THE LAITY.
Regarding the instruction OF the Iaity
the council DEGREES that, since religion
can never be divorced from our actions,
there Is need OF erecting evervs
where parish schools which may
80 temper religiOn with science
that the two may go hand IN hand.
To effect this the council orders that
within two years from the PRONUNCIATION
OF these DEGREES parOchial school
must be erected and started
near each church unless the bishop
for grave reason should defer for time
the building OF such a school. Should the
priest. by his own negligence prevent the
successful carrying on OF such schools,
even after repeated warnings from his
ecclesiastical superiOrs, be Is 10 be judged
worthy Of removal from such position.
All Catholic parents are bound 70 send
their children 10 these parOchial schools,
unless they send them TO other Catholic
academies, Of are lawfully exempted By
those who have charge Of these affairs,
Eight millions Of cOlOred people In tho
country are the subject Of vigorous plea
for help from all those who would place
this important element OF the future ia its
proper place to act for the veal Of this
republic.
NIGHT EXCURSIONS PROHIBITED.
Another thing done by the council is
the prohibition of picnics and excursions
by night, on Sunday, or on other
least days or fasting days.
This way OF making money for
church purposes will be hereafter forbid.
den, and only allowed by the Bisn0p with
necessary prudence and reserve. The
sale Of Intoxicating liquors Will not be
allowed in any case. Fairs also are not
10 be held hereafter without a special per.
init from the Bishop, and not on Sundays.
and no intoxicating liquors can be sold by
them. Suppers and dinners, social par.
ties and balls given at night for raising
money are prohibited.