The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-16

Pope's prime minister. He has charge
of all negotiations between the Holy See
and foreign powers and is the exclusive
channel through whom ali eomraunica-
tfons carried on between them must
pass. The nunciOs. legates. delegates,
and abiegates are under the secretary OF
state and make their reports to him.
He conducts all negotiations for prornot-
ing the welfare and extending the limits
OF the church. Being in close and inti-
mate relations with the Pope. he repre-
sents the principle OF the pontiacaI gov
eminent. and his influence is felt in ev-
cry act issuing from the Pope. II is he
who directs all Important political meas
ures, and puts in force all decisions rel
| alive to the organic institutions of the
church
The vicariate OF Rome. is now under
Cardinal Vicar Pietro Respighi. He is
assisted by a vicegerent, a promoter
fiscal. and several other officials. The
defensor matrimonii is one OF the Of
fcers connected with the vicariate. II
is his duty TO defend in natrimoufa,
SUITS the marriages which are attacked
and the nuliity Of which II is attempte.
to prove by adducing every argument
and consideration in their favor which
the cases admit of.
Where the Papal Bull Is Made.
The famous Roman chancerv is The
department which drafts the bulls and
briefs By which the mind of the Pontin
is made known to the Catholic world.
Cardinal L. NJ. ParrochI. the vice
chancellor, is at the head OF the chan
Gerry and some of the most important
public and solemn affairs of the Apos-
tolic See. including those which are de-
bated in the consistory, come under his
supervision Aonsignore Luigi Pericolo
is the regent OF the chancery and is the
highest in rank among the subordinates
OF the vice chancellor. The bulls are
revised, corrected. and promulgated by
| the regent
! Other prelates attached to the chan
Gerry are the presidents of the greater
and lesser ''pareus," SO called from tha
name or the place where they meet.
The prelates OF the greater parcus con-
stitute a tribunal where doubts which
may arise concerning documents and
clauses to be inserted in them are de-
cided- They also decide questions in
regard to the payment of fees and
charges The only function of the lower
pareus is to transmit and deliver bulls
TO the prelates of the greater parcus.
The Papal Treasure.
The finances of the Papal government
are handled by the cardinal Gamer
lengo, Cardinal Oreglia.
There is also vice camerIengo and a
treasurer The latter Office has been
vacant for number of years. During
the time that the Pope held temporaI
power the camera was also a court Of
justice and ofenses against the revenue
laws were tried there. Although the rev.
enues are much less than formerly. they
are still large and there is large
force of employees connected with the
department
The rota was formerly the supreme
courts of justice and the court of an
peals. 1t is not so important a body
now because the spiritual causes OF
foreign countries are usually settled
by judges specially appointed by the
Pope for that purpose. The tribunal was
established by John XII in 1926. 1t was
remodeled by Sixtus XIV and again by
Benedict XIV.
The court consists of twelve members
who are called auditors. and is presided
over by the dean, John De MonteI II is
divided into two bodies called senates.
In any cause on appeal before the rota
the appellant can select any auditor TO
preside. The person thus selected is the
''referendary," and the four members
who sit next to him on the left Cthey
sit in a eirele) compose the senate
which tries the cause.
A Prominent Official.
The cardinal penitentiary is at the
head of the Penetenzaria Romano and
has regent. a theoIogian and other
officials as assistants. He is always ap-
pointed by the Pope from among the
cardinal priests and one requirement is
that he shall be an able theologian, and
we'll versed in canon law. He may com
mute or release from oaths or VOWS,
absolve from sins and censure and in
various ways WELD the power given to
ST. Peter.
In Holy Week he sits in the basilicas
Of st. John Lateran on Palm Sunday. st.
Mary's Major on Wednesday, and St.
Peters on Holy Thursday and Good Fri
day. and hears confessions and, touch
ing with the rod of the penitentiary the
heads of those who kneel before him,
grants to them an indulgence Of 100 days.
He is entitled to celebrate mass IN the
Pope's chapel on Ash Wednesday. Good
Friday (mass of the presanctifed) and
All Souls day and 20 administer the last
sacraments TO dying Pope.
Right of Precedence.
During the celebration of the mass and
other sacred rites the dignitaries, pre-
lates and others have regular recognized
Places in the Pope's chapel, and are az
ranged according to their respective
/ ranks in the following order. Arch