The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-21
MUST BE
CONsEQUENCEs OF RECENT
SUICIDE IN THE CHURCH

|
CIeruynen Mere Biviasa In Opinion a. IA
whether Ecclesiastical Raw Demand, rh,,
TIE BuidipG ne Roesussornted - How
Similar Csse IN RnGisna was Dealt win.
ClerRymen Of the Episcopal faith in this civ
are puzzled to determine whether tho ecclc,ias.
tical law demands the remuneration Of III.
building OF Calvary Church, at Fourth avcnu,
and East Twcnty.arst street. within whose wall,
q woman committed suicide q week ago. In
view Of the uncertainty Of the matter. il 1,
likely that nothing will DO done looking toward
that end until the return OF Bishop Potter in
the latter part of the summer.
1t il generally agreed that there is nothing in
the law OF tho Protestant Episcopal Church In
the United States of America that calls for IN,
remuneration Of any sacred cdifce which la,
been thus desecrated or profaned. In the EnR.
lish Church., TO which the Church in tits coun.
try looks for precedents In questions OF canoni.
cal law. the necessity Of wiping out the stain
caused by the shedding Of blood is recognized.
although such an occurrence Is 30 infreQuept
that when an occasion arose seven years ago
tho authorities of st. Paul's Cathedral were a,
q loss, for the time, as 10 tho proper course 70
pursue.
"a church once consecrated may not be oonse
Grated again, " writes q distinguished authority.
ITO which general rule of the canon law ono
exception NbN, ulltHbN hty 10 poiihNtu ny Inc
shedding Of blood: and In that place the canon
supposes n reconsecration, though the common
method In England was n reconciliation only"
The ceremony of remuneration is founded on
q decretal OF Pope Innocent I'LL. which was Ok,
casioned by the bloody trays Of the pilgrims 70
the shrine Of 81. Jago Of Compostello and ito
purpose In thus defined: "a church is no, really
polluted because OF serious offence. but tho
ceremony Of reconciliation is performed in order
to arouse mon into contrition for sin; being
how, in consequence Of an atrocious decd. the
building 10 in n sense polluted. SO as to heed REQ
The latest suicide in an Anglican or Epi.oo-
pal church previous to the recent instance in
Calvary, this city. was committed in 81. pauio
Cathedral, London, in the fall Of 1890, when
twice in the head with a revolver while -ittinF
in the cathedral during the course OF a ssrmpa
Suicide y ldeP tSe dean a and Chapter l@@' Of he c stisT tsf
cial service would be necessary. addressed a let.
exempt and reconcile the said cathedral church
from all canonical impeachment and from every
SSenoS 81 SUCH SSR'r act Of f biood iqfsGEsa ~ H r +.
ihSuld thInk it proper.
service Of reconciliation, or act Of Preparation TO
Almighty God. for the diihonor recently done e
service adopted. BY Bishop Temple. now Arch.
bishop Of canterbufy. on that occasion:
IN tn0 hAInC " u oUu. 0u4tu " DCECh1, ~ uh1
been represented unto Us. the Right Hon. and
Providence Lord Bishop Of London, BY a petition
Of the Cathedral Church Of ST. Paul in London,
that during the performance Of diSine service
in the said Cathedral Church of 81. Paul on Sun.
day. the 2eth day Of September, last. one
cathedral church. by shooting himself with q
revolver. as would appear by the records of the
Coroner of the city Of London. before whom an
to the cause Of death. and q verdict returned o,
suicide whilst temporarily insane That tho
said dean and chapter were advised that the
sacred ediice OF the said cathedral church had
shedding consequent thereupon polluted and
defiled, and that 1t WAS therefore necessary that
we should exempt and reconcile the said cathe-
dral church from all canonical impeachment and
in consequence OF such act OF suicide and blood.
shedding by a sentence of reconciliation, and by
an appropriate religious service.
And whereas tho said petitioners have hum
bly, besought US 20 be pleased to pronounce such
sentence of reconciliation and to perform such
service within the said cathedral as may be re-
seem meet and suitable. therefore we, the said
Frederick, Lord Bishop Of London. do. by virtue
of and in exercise Of our episcopal authority,
cathedral church to be exempt and reconciled
from all canonical impeachment and free from
every PROCLAMATION contracted and incurred by or
shedding forever by this our defnitive sentence
or final decree, which we give and promulsate
by these presents"
1t ls contended by some that the suicide OF the
edihce under the ban OF pollution. because The
deed was committed in the vestibule Of the
church and not in the auditorium. while Others
under the law, as the whole building is conse
Grated and not alone the auditorium and tho
chancel.