Evening journal., 1901-12-20
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Az TO MARRIAGE
Ceremony One Of The Most
Sacred OF SaCramlentS
in That Religion

The recent marriage by a Protestant
Episcopal clergyman OF grand
daughter of the late Eugene Kelly, inI
his day probably the most conspic-
uous Roman Catholic layman in the
United States. to Frank J. Gould OF
New York. says the New York sun,
was followed by the publication of
some pretty wild statements as to the
attitude of the Catholic Church nu-
fhorities toward the contract. There
seemed to De a wide divergence Of
opinion as TO just what the brides
standing in the church might be.
IN the FIRST place. Mrs. Gould is no
longer member Of the Catholic
Church Marriage is one of its seven
sacraments and can be performed by
none except those ordained TO the
priesthood. She accommodated her
self by the very act Of consenting TO
have the ceremony performed by
minister OF another church.
This does not mean, however. that
she need necessarily remain forever
without the fold. Archbishop Corri-
gan as the spiritual head OF the dio-
oure in which the marriage took place,
has the power to absolve her and re-
store to her the right TO receive the
sacraments
AS to the validity of the marriage
the church raises no question. con-
trary TO popular belief among nom
Catholics. Il accepts it as a perfectly
valid contract and II Mrs Gould
wished 10 return to the Church no sec
ond marriage ceremony would be nee
ossary. The usual form is for the
head OF the diocese TO bless the mar
riage thus signifying that it has re-
ceived tine sanction Of uhe church.
The confusion in the minds of non
Catholics on the subject OF Catholic
marriages is attributed by priests to
tho fact that the laws of the church
on the subject, In their practical ap-
pllcation. are not the same in all coun-
tries or even in all parts of the United
States
The decree OF the Council OF Trent
on matrimony declares that no mar
riagce are valid in the eyes OF the
church except those performed by th'
parish priest or a priest designated by
hin. This rule is vigorously enfoics.
In all countries where the decree has
boen promulgated.
But the decree has never been pro-
mulgated in the United States, save
only I'm those parts which We're for
merly under French and Spanish rule
Therefore It is not held ais binding. 50
for at least as marriages performed by
ministers of other churches are con
cerned. in this part of the country.
The Church here or anywhere else
dcas NOT. however. recognize as valid
marriage in which one or both OF
the contracting parties are unbaptzed
but it is not necessary that the hap
tism ceremony be performed under
Catholic auspices That both partie.
were baptized IS sufficient
Neither does the Church recognize
a marriage in which either of the par
ties has been divorced RelationshiI
within the fourth degree of consan
guinity also constitutes a bar. Tha
is. first. second or third cousins ma!
not marry unless by special dispensa
tion.
Had Miss Kelly been married by
priest it would have been necessar.
for her husband to sign an agreemen
that any children OF the marriage b.
brought up in the Catholic faith.
We lave tniy to add thst 1ncml
Kelly brother OF the late Edwar
Kelly. father of Mrs. Gould, explaine
in a letter to the sun of November 2
tnat al the time Of her marriage sh
was IN communion. or. at leas
shortly before IT, with the Roma
Catholic Church. with the full consen
and appreciation OF her mother