The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-26
A GREAT ORGANIZATION
EVOLUTION OF THE MARVELLOUS sYS-
TEN OF THE ROMAN CHURCH.
Wisdom Displayed by the Early
Heads Of the Church I'm Adopt
ing Method of Control.

New York Evening Post.
The Congregation of Bishops and Regu-
lars is perhaps the most important congre-
CATION of the Roman Curia. Its special
office is to pass upon all difficulties arising
either between the bishops and the priests
directly subject to them, or between the
bishops and the members of the religious
orders residing in the diocese. 1t is a court
Of appeal to which the seculars or the
regulars may refer the decisions of the
bishops. This commission also revises and
approves the rules of religious orders.
The Congregation of the Council, insti-
tuted by Paul w, in 1863. has the power OF
giving an authentic Interpretation to the
DEGREES Of the Council of Trent, except
those bearing on matters of faith. Sixtus
V increased it's powers, confiding to 1t the
examination of provincial councils held In
the various countries by an archbishop and
the suffragan bishops of his province, and
also the examination of the reports pre-
scented to the Holy See by the bishops and
archbishOps of the world when they make
their regular visit lad limina apostolorum,
to the tombs of the apostles, and to the
successor of ST. Peter. Benedict XIV modi-
fed the congregation somewhat, estaDilsn-
ing special section for the examha At on
of provincial eynods, while Piux lA later
formed q special section for the lad limina
visits OF the bishops. Another very lmpor-
tant work assigned to this congregatio1
is the solution of the very complicated
difficulties that arise occasionally concern
ing the sacrament of matrimony. No power
on earth can dissolve marriage leglti-
mately contracted and consummateo py
the contracting parties. However, IL the
marriage be not contaminated, or IL eitner
or both parties be affected by an lmpedi-
ment multiplying the marriage contract
then the Sovereign Pontiff has the divinely
committed prerogative of dissolving such
contract declaring it null and void IL Is
the duty Of the Congregation or the Coun-
Gil to institute thorough canonical exam
ination and decide whether the conditions
requisite for the exercise of the pontincai
prerogative have been verified.
The propaganda" the Congregation for
the Propagation of the Faith, is most
important factor in the government OF the
church. 1t is divided into two distinct
having its own project, Cardinals, secre-
taries and consultors. The Latin brancn
has full charge of church interest In coun-
in Europe, Africa, America, Oceania. Inc
Oriental branch has jurisdiction over the
Eastern schismatic peoples ana those VINO sh
Latin, such as the Greeks, Armenians,
Copts, Chaldeans and Syrians. The Pro-
paganda mas compete nS asaTcises towards
them the role of nearly all the other con-
gregations By missionary countries are
been Completely organized However, some
countries, such as the United States, re-
main under the Propaganda even after the
the special privilege accorded to missionary
lands.
DUTIES OF THE PROPAGANDA.
Some idea of the vast and varied duties
devolving upon this congregation may be
had from the fact that the Oriental rite
alone comprises four principal rites, name
", the Greek, the Armenian, the Syrian
and the Coptic. The first mentioned, num-
bering with the Slavs nearly 100000
Christians, is divided into FIVE different
branches-the pure Greek rite, the Ruthe-
man. the Melchitic, the Georgian. and the
Slavic which is subdivided into Russian,
Servian, Bulgarian and Ruthenian Greek
rites The Syrian RITE neu tse sHe Paae
ronite and the Syro-Malabar. Finally. the
Coptic is divided into Egyptian. Abyssinian.
keep these various rites within proper linn
its so that they may not become menace
to the unity of faith. To expedite matters.
the Propaganda has been augmented by
three special commissions.
The cardinals assemble on the first Mon
day of every month for the more important
business of the congregation. Once week
the cardinal project presides at a meeting
of the secretaries and minutanti, who dis
pose of minor matters at once and prepare
the different questions to be discussed and
settled by the cardinals. The Propaganda
possesses one of the finest polyglot printing
establishments in the world. II furnishes
lturgical and other works to the mission
aries who educated in the Propaganda
College and thence are sent into all parts
of the known world to spread the gospel
OF Christ.
1t is marvellous how the church, while
ever holding fast to principles, in the appli-
cation of those principles adapts herself to
the peculiar circumstances and needs of
every age and of every country. In Rome
the vast administration of the church CEN
tiers In the secretariat of state under Car
dinal Rompolla, and in the Propaganda,
under Cardinal Gotti. The secrtariat OF
state deals with countries that have main
tanned diplomatic relations with the Holy
and the canon law of the church can be
properly enforced. The Propaganda. on the
contrary, has to do with countries where
Catholics are in the minority and infidels
and heretics are numerous. The policy of
Rome Is TO grant many privileges as
possible to the missionary countries while
strengthening the government at home.
THE CONGREGATION OF THE INDEX
The Congregation of the Index has always
met with considerable opposition and criti-
cisrn especially in these days of free speech
and the liberty Of the press. This opposi-
ton is without foundation and Is due in
most part to misapprehension. The church.
following the example OF the Good Shepherd,
does not believe In turning the mock out