The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-03-31

pointed at the synod; their term OF
office is to last for the time which the
law allows to elapse till the calling OF
another synod. They are obliged to
take an oath to be impartial and TO 90
! Justice toward those who are examined
and not allow themselves to be swayed
by personal favor or profit. The re-
ouirSment that at least six synodal ex-
aminers shall be appointed deserves
special attention, because it implies
that it is desirable that more than six
shall be selected. The advisability of
this increase in the number to be ap-
pointed is seen from the avoidance of
complication, which supervenes, where
the general law is in force, if for any
good reason there should occur a pro-
longation of the time for the assembling
of the next synod. Those selected in
the synod because approved and found
satisfactory by the assembled clergy
would hold over till the calling of the
next synod, and would thus be avail
able as legitimate examiners for the
comforting of parishes. On the other
hand. if only six were chosen, whilst,
during the period fixed by law, the va
cancy by removal for cause or by res
ignation, or by death, could be filed
through the choice of the bishop, yet
this ones selection would only hold
good till the time appointed by law for
the converting of the next synod-and
then the other five would also cease to
be holders, because of the prescription
that at least six are to be selected in
the synod This has been such a fixed
practice as to give it the force of an
authentic Interpretation of the law In
case there were a legitimate impedi-
ment in the way of holding a synod, the
bishop would have a remedy by obtain
ing from the Holy See a dispensation to
appoint the examiners outside the
synod; this dispensation would hold
good only till the time to
which the synod was postponed
again impracticabIe to call the synod,
after each intervening period a renewal
Of the dispensation would be necessary
This emphasizes the Importance of the
submission Of the names of the synodal
examiners to the approval and salts
faction of the clergy at the synod. The
omission of it might involve the val
idity of the comforting of an irremov-
able parish. This has occurred, but
whenever the supreme authority was
persuaded that the defect in the choice |
Of synOdal examiners was the result |
Of forgetfulness, or occurred in good |
faith, it has made good the appoint |
ment to parishes, even though made in
Of examiners whose title |
was defective. However, in this country |
q more general privilege is given to the
bishops to appoint the examiners, after
the advice Of the consultors, outside
the synod. 1t is prescribed that the
examination for the irremovable rec
-orship shall take place before at least
-hree of these synodal examiners in the
Of the bishop or his vicar-gen-
4ral. The synodal examiners should be
recognized as eminent for their learn
ne, and hence those are generally Sc
ected who have obtained the testimony
o their knowledge which is given by
he official degrees Of the doctorship or
ne license to teach. Yet these degrees
IRE not a necessary condition for the
hoice. Where a bishop finds it very
nconvenient to bring three of these
together for the purpose, he
S permitted by the Council to do with
ess. However, neither the bishop nor
he vicar general takes an active part
n the examination, nor has either a
'ote as TO the fitness of the candidates,
Except where the votes should be so
catering as to make selection
impossible. This prescription
hows that very much Importance is
ttached to the perfect freedom of the
It involves also very clearly
hat the examiners are to fix the var
ETY. Of grades of merit in the different
objects of the examination. 1t is, !
borrower, prescribed that in case of
he tie which gives the bishop or vicar
eneral the privilege Of the vote this
ote must be given there and then and E
annot be postponed, because it is to {
e considered a part of the examination
n which the law POUNDS the right of l
he candidate to obtain the position.
nd the obligation of the bishop to give /
TO the one whom the examination {
roves to be the more worthy.
A FRIEND OF LAW.
'ATHER WYMAN CONOFMNS E