The sun., 1901-12-06
CaTHOLTC MARRIAGES.
why Mra. Frank J. Could Is No Longer
Member OF That Church.

The recent marriage by q Protestant
Episcopal clergyman Of a granddaughter
OF the late Eugene Kelly, In his day probably
the most conspicuous Roman Catholic
,ayman in the United States, 10 Frank j.
Gould was followed by the publication of
some pretty wild statements as to the
attitude OF the Catholic Church authorities
toward the contract, There seemed to he
a wide divergence OF opinion az 10 Just what
the brides standing in the Church might he.
In the first place, Mrs Gould Is no longer
a member OF the Catholic Church. Mar
riage is one Of its seven sacraments and
can be performed by mono except those
ordained TO its priesthood. She eNcom-
muicated herself by the very act OF con-
senting 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 Corrigan, as the
spiritual head OF tho diocese in which the
marriage took place, has the power to
absolve her and restore to her the right
TO receive the sacfamcnts.
As to the validity OF the marriage the
Church raises no question, contrary 10
popular belief among non-Catholics. 1t
accepts II as q perfectly valid contract,
and IL Mrs. Gould wished 70 return TO tho
Church no second marriage ceremony
would be necessary. The usual form is
for the head OF the diocese to bless tho
marriage. thus signfying that 1t has Off
cially received the sanction OF tho Church.
The confusion in the minds OF non-Cath0-
lies on the sub ject Of Catholic marriages Is
attributed by priests to the fact that tho
laws Of the Church on the subject. in their
practical application, are not the same
In all countries or even N all parts OF the
United States.
The decree Of the Council Of Trent on
matrimony declares that no marriages
are vuld in the eyes Of the Church except
those performed by the parish priest or a
priest designated by him. This rule is
vigorously enforced in all countries where
the decree has been promulgated.
But the decree has never been promul-
gated in the United States. save only in
those parts which were formerly under
French and Spanish rule Therefore, it is
not held as binding so far at least as mar
riages performed by ministers Of other
Churches are concerned, in this part Of the
country.
lHt lttts VI Vio'' N'N'
not, however, recognize rs valid mar
riage in which one or both Of the contracting
parties are unbaptized, but it is not necessary
that the baptism ceremony be performed
under Catholic auspices. That both parties
were baptized is sufficient.
Neither does the Church recognize a
marriage in which either Of the parties
has been divorced. Relationship within
the fourth degree Of consangunity also con-
stitutes a bar. That is, first, second or
third cousins may not marry unless by
special dispensation.
Had Miss Kelly been married by priest
1t would have been necessary for her hus-
band to sign an agreement that any chill
dren Of the marriage would be brought
up in the Catholic faith.
We have only to add that Mr.. Thomas
Kelly, brother Of the late Edward Kelly,
father OF Mrs. Gould, explained in a letter
20 THE Sun Of Nov. "a that at the time Of
her marriage she was I'm communion, or.
at least. shortly before it. with the Roman
Catholic Church. with the full consent and
appreciation of her mother