Evening journal., 1904-10-12
BARS MARRIAGE
OF ALL DIVORCED
Proposed Change in Protes-
tant Episcopal Canons AZ
fects Even Innocent Party
BIG FIGHT IN CONVENTION

Boston. oct. IA proposed change
in the canons of the Protestant Epis-
copal Church whereby clergymen are
forbidden to remarry any person who
has been divorced. was discussed for
two hours by the House of Deputies at
yesterdays session Of the general con-
vention.
The House Of Deputies was sitting
as a committee Of the whole, and the
consideration of the subject regarded
as one of the most important to come
before the present convention, will be
taken up from time to time until the
matter is finally disposed Of. The pres
mt canon on marriage permits the re-
marriage of the innocent person in a
divorce suit wherein infidelity is al
legged. For some time there has been
a strong sentiment I'm the church that
clergy should not remarry even the
the Rev. DIR. +. p. Davenport OF Mem
phis. Tenn, is chairman, presented an
innocent person.
The committee on Canons OF which
amendment to the present cannon, for
bidding remarriage of any person who
has been divorced. minority report
permitting the present cannon to re-
main as it is. with the exception Of an
added provision for the presentation Of
court evidence when an applicant for
remarriage appears before a clergy
man, was submitted by the Rev. DR..
J. Lewis Parks, Of New York, and
others.
The Amendments.
In the majority report these were
the amendments recommended: ~
II any minister Of this church shall
have reasonable cause to doubt whether
person desirous OF being admitted
to holy baptism or to confirmation or to
holy communion has been married
otherwise than as the Word Of God
and discipline of this church allow
such minister, before receiving such
person to these ordinances, shall refer
the case to the bishop for his godls
Judgment thereon; provided, however
that no minister shall, in any case, re-
fuse the sacraments to a penitent per
son in imminent danger of death. or t
any person who shall solemnly ave
that he or she was the innocent part
in a divorce for the cause OF adultery.
i no minister shall solemnize a mar
riage between any two persons unles
by inquiry he shall have satisfied him
self that neither person has been or /
the husband or the wife OF any othe
person then living from whom he o
she has been divorced for any caus
arising after marriage.
If any question shall arise under thi
canon in a diocese or missionary juris
diction in which there is no bishop
such question shall be referred to SOM
bishop to be designated by the stand
ling committee and the bishop TO whom
such questions have been referred shal
thereupon make inquiry in such man
liner as he shall deem expedient ant
shall deliver his judgment in the prem
ises.
/ The minority report. signed by tn
Rev DR.. ]. Lewis Parks, of New York
the Rev Henry s. Mast, of Cambridge
Mass, and r. II. Battle, was presente
as follows:-
Questions touching the fact of an
ease arising under this canon shall b
determined by the record of the civ
court which adjudged or decreed tn
ldivorce. copy Of which, under tn
seal OF said court. shall be furnishe
the minister requested to solemniz
the marriage.