The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-30
CARDINAL GIBBONS TALKS
BE DENoUNCEs THE REMARRIAaE
OF DIVORCED PERSONS.
All Such Are Excommunicated-"No
Man and No Legislation Can validity
Dissolve the Contract'-Tremendous
Danger in Easy Facilities for Divorce.

SSABOA "a Gd'S
Baltimore Special to the New York Herald.
1t seemed but yesterday that | was chat
ting with Cardinal Gibbons in Rome. And
yet, as His Eminence has only just re-
minded me, two years have come and gone
since the memorable days Of the good
Archbishop's enforcement in Trastevere
and his gallant fight on behalf OF the
Knights OF Labor.
Finding myself in Baltimore yesterday
morning, | naturally called to pay my re-
spects TO His Eminence.
"The Cardinal don't see nobody on Sat-
urdays," sternly replied a very small boy
who opened the door to me.
However, the Cardinal was kind enough
to relax his rule in my favor, and after
waiting a moment in the bare and unas-
Stunning hall Of what is called the Resi-
dence, | was ushered up a flight of stairs
into a parlor.
1t had q very Roman look, this parlor,
with its cold walls, its meager curtains, its
crucifix and its austere decorations; q few
engravings and photographs; a slender
store OF books arrayed on a table; the
usual crimson chairs aud footstools, with n
couple OF arm chairs for the Cardinal and
his guests. Aud that was all. wonder
what some of our Protestant bishops would
say to such simplicity.
Equally cold and plain was the exterior
oil the residence. Asquare, gray building,
standing back TO back with the Cathedral,
with a few gaunt windows to let in the
light and an ugly doorway approach by a
flight OF wooden steps.
Well. Lhabit nc fait pas le moline; nor
does a Cardinals dignity depend on such
mundane tIi1es. But how very odd il
seems to hear people talk Of Roman
-sumptuousness when one has been admit
ted to the monastic homes OF the great men
who rule the Catholic Church.
WITH his EMINENcE.
I was making these and other mental
comments when the door OF the parlor
opened and the Cardinal walked0n with
outstretched hand TO welcome me-"
"Forsan ct lIUc olim meminisse juyabit,"
said His Eminence, smiling, as he made
some reference to our last meeting.
When / last saw the Cardinal he was in
his glory. He had Just returned from that
ceremony in the old Basilica across the
Tber, and was being flooded with con-
gratulaiions, yet he seemed happier here
amid his own people than in his Roman
splcndor. He was brighter and stronger,
too, but his face still wore the same pale,
spiritual look-the look OF the ascetic and
the student.
regret that / nm not at liberty TO repeat
all His Eminence's remarks. Some, how
ever. he has authorized me to publish.
DIVORCE Ann MARRIAGE.
az sce," said |, that Bishop Healy
lately delivered himself OF some very
severe utterances with regard TO the ex-
clusion from the sacramen.s NJ divorced
people who rcmarry. May / ask whether
Your Eminence indorses this doctrine
and will favor me with the exact Catholic
teaching on the subject OF divorce and
scparation2"
THE following is the most striking part
OF the pastoral which Bishop Healy caused
60 be read from the affairs Of all Catholic
Churches in Maine a few days ago:
From all that we have said you can
judge OF the horror With which al good
Christians, and indeed all sensible and
God-icaring men. must regard divorce.
Well meaning men are endcayoring. all
too late, TO stem the fearful tide which in
our country IL devastating social and
married life. But until men return TO the
true ideal Of marriage rs a sacrament they
might as well try to keep out the ocean
with n broom. Having once degraded
marriage 10 a civil contract, forbidding a
minister OF religion even TO celebrate or
bless IL. as was the case in the colony
times OF New England, IL Is not in the
nnKtaE Al uauVfa kgaVla IA EIuN Ihn lnNN.sal
OF lustiul desires nor 20 restore marriage
90 It's original purity, unity or holiness.
DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS ~ COURT Forbidden.
''As for you, children OF the church. you
must be In this matter a holy nation, "a
purchased people, that you may declare
His virtues who hath called you out Of the
darkness into His marvellous light" ii.
Peter. H., o. Therefore, II becomes neccs-
sary for us not only TO declare the doc
trines Of the church rs regards holy mar
Tiage, but TO Tepudiate whatever may de-
grade In the minds and hearts Of the faith
ful. Hence as the Council OF Trent de-
clares lsession pa that matrimonial causes
belong 10 ccclcsiasiic judges we do hereby
forbid any Catholic (niale or icmale) TO be-
gin any proceedings for divorce in courts
until the causes or reasons for the same
shalt have been laid before the bishop,
and we reserve 20 ourselves the absolution
OF air such as shall violate the ordinance,
forbidding any priest in our diocese 10 adj
init them 10 the sacranents until the mat
Ter has been thus submitted.
THE QUESTION oF SEPARATIONS.
"And since in a contract II Is moi Just
that one should judge for himself and an.
other also. II Is plainly against reason that
husband or wife should Judge for them
selves Of even a temporary separation.
For to them that are married, not ! but
the Lord. commandoth that the wife de.
part not from her husband, and II she de-
part that she remain unmarried or be
rcconcil,l TO her husband Il. Cor,
VIII, lO.)
I'm all cases where a separation not
legal or perpetual seems necessary, the
case shall be submitted 10 n third person;
20 one whose judgment sidl be impartial
before men and guided by the law OF God,
and the pastor oil souls Is the proper Judge
aud authority 10 refer 10. HenceI cxhort
our pastors to exclude from the sacrament
any man or woman living apart from wife
or husband, unless the reasons therefor
have been previously submitted TO his
judgment.
THE CARDINALS VIEWS.
III have no particular objection TO that
replied the Cardinal. "Thc Church holds
that under certain circumstances scpara'
ton may be necessary, but In no case does
II sanction a divorce, implying the right IL
rcmlrriage.
i -