The Irish standard., 1906-01-06
LAYMEN AS TRUSTEES.
New Code Of Diocesan Laws Will
Make Many Important Changes.

/
Make Many Important Changes.
According to the Chicago press. the
recent synod convened by Archbishop
Quigley resulted in the adoption of a
number of important DEGREES. Some ap-
pear to be striking departures from
ancient methods, if correctly reported,
although there is small doubt but they
will give wide satisfaction.
A prominent feature of the new law
is that the pastor will not be permitted
to make expenditures aggregating
more than 5000 without securing the
consent of the trustees. This rule will
be construed so that after the pastor
has spent 5000 in connection with the
affairs of the church he will not be per-
mitted to eXpend further sums without
consulting the trustees.
law providing for the appointment
of boards of trustees for each parish,
made up of the pastor and two laymen,
suggested by the pastor and appointed
by the Archbishop. They will have no
legal standing, but will act in an advis
Dry capacity.
1t was pointed out that men of BUSH
ness sagacity could be elected who
would bring to the aid of the church, in
their capacity as trustees, an expert
ence i'll handling financial problems
that would be of incalculable benefit.
In addition, it was contended that the
change in church administrator would
give members of congregations a bet
ter idea of the progress of the church.
Another regulation announced which
clergymen declare will aid in having
the finances of the church handled ac-
cording to approved business methods,
requires the pastors of all churches to
submit financial statements annually
to the members of their congregations
and to the chancellor of the archdio-
cese. Heretofore a number of clergy
men have furnished these reports VOL
UNFAIRLY, but the new law will require
the observance Of this practice by all
pastors within the archdiocese. All
sums received and expended during
the year must be accounted for in this
report.
Another regulation requires that rec
tors of churches in what are known as
the first class will receive a salary Of
$1,000 year, those in the second class
$500 year and curates $500 a year
Of the latter amount curates will be
required to pay the pastor of the
church whom they are assisting $500
year for their keeping. The salary
rule empowers the pastor to charge up
the amount he is given annually
against the revenue Vt the church. Out
of this sum, with perquisites from bap-
tisms, marriages and other celebra-
tions the priest will be required to pay
all the expenses entailed in connection
with the maintenance of the parish
residence.
Another important step newly taken
provides for a tax on pastors of
churches for the purpose of providing
support for sick and infirm priests.
Before February 1 of each year each
pastor will be assessed $40 for this
purpose, except where his percenta ge
from the ordinary revenues Of the
church is less than $500 a year, in
which case he will be required to pay
IS. Pastors assistants will also be as
sessed IS each year. The wants of
aged and sick p.iests have heretofore
been provided for by number of local
pastors, but under the new law an
established fund will be provided for
the purpose.