The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-10-04
CANON LAW
CHANGES
IMPORTANT
House Of Bishops Endorse Rev,
Or. CIak's Suggestion Rig
OTous Attitude on Divorce.

San Francisco. Oct. 4-The house OF
bishops OF the Episcopal triennial conven-
ton has by vote of Al TO p decided TO
! accept the report OF the committee sp-
pointed az the last convention 10 report
on the marginal readings that may be
substituted for the present readings OF
the scripture. With the concurrence OF
the house OF deputies the action OF the
bishops viii become a canon of the
church OF America
From the attitude OF the bishops on this
matter. IL Is supposed that a majority Of
the higher house is inclined 10 be liberal
and less orthodox as opposed TO the de-
slres OF those church men of both clergy
rrrd Iaity, who desire high church forms
and observances and the changing of the
name from Protestant Episcopal church
10 the American Catholic Church in the
United states"
The right OF Rev DIR. Clark OF Rhode
Island, who, on account OF seniority Of
conservation aud ordination is the presid-
ing bishop OF the Episcopal church has In
his triennial report suggested that II
would be to the best interest OF the church
If there was some other mode of select
ing a presiding bishop. Under the pres
ent law the senior bishop presides and in
this instance the bishop is 20 years old
His age prevents him from giving the
best attention 90 the duties of his exalt-
ed office and appreciatins his inability he
suggests the appointment OF younger
or more active prelate. His suggestion
will be acted on at the present house of
bishops.
The attitude of the Episcopal church
toward divorce and the remarriage of di-
YorCed persons is sure 10 give rise to
much debate during the present general
convention. A majority report prepared
BY some OF the most learned bishops, cler-
ical and lay deputies will come up for ac-
tion, recommending that the church adopt
canon IL, preventing a minister of the
church from "soiemniZinR a marriage be-
tween any two persons unless or until by
inquiry he shall have satisfied himself
that neither person has been or Is hus-
band or The Wiz OF any other person then
living.
This is a sweeping law. not recognizing
even infdelity as A course for divorce. and
not permitting Episcopal clergymen 10 SOL
emnize marriage OF an innocent party I'm
divorce. The action taken by the rig
orists' as those taking this extreme stand
are called is based on the ground that
the church Is called upon to resister It's
protest against the laxity on the sub
ject OF divorce that prevails In the United
States. As stated by one Of the sgners
Of the reports, there seems no way in
which the church can avoid completely
I'm divorces of the most scandalous char
acter except In SO far as IL may refuse
TO assume amy color OF responsibility for
any divorced persons I'm any case what
ever.
one or the dilemmas in which the
church legislators find themselves. say
the rigorists is that they must put the
ban OF all divorces, innocent and guilty,
without distinction, as there is no judi
cial system, civil or ecclesiastical that
will enable us TO discover the innocent
party I'm divorce cases. Therefore they
argue they must forbid the clergy to
solemnize the marriage of any divorced
person.
This extreme stand Is departure from
the precedent established by the church
in ls0S. when a resolution was adopted au-
thorizing the solemnization OF the mar
riage OF an innocent party 10 divorce
where the cause was infidelity. The op
ponents of the radical idea assert that
their position ls based on the words Of
Christ as given i'm Matthew NIX. They
oppose the rigorists on the further
grounds that such refusal TO solemnize
marriage would put stigma on mar
riages which are honorable and lawful;
that il would create two kinds OF matrl-
mony. holy and unholy. I'm the sight OF
the church, that IL would ALLEVIATE church
members who have been taught TO be-
leve that innocent parties i'm divorce are
entitled 20 remarry. that IL Will weaken
the influence of the church with the Am
erican people who may conclude that the
church Is welded 90 medieval ideas and
attempting 10 he stricter than the head
OF the church himself and that such
church legislation would he In effect a
Reputation OF the teachings OF the mas
ter
Stops the Cough and Works OF the Cold.