The Irish standard., 1907-09-21

eSdtued as dDSo!uCely null or VOID.
A mere glance at the decree will,
serve to show how profoundly 1t mod.
ities the law for the celebration Of
marriages, both as to their validity
and lawfulness. in America and in
Engish-speaking countries generally.
In full. it is as follows:
!. Only those are considered valid
and produce canonicaI effects which
have been contracted in writing, signed
by both the parties and by either the
parish priest or the ordinary Of the
place, or at least by two witnesses.
In case one or both the parties be
unable to write this fact is to be noted
In the document and another witness
is to be added who will sign the writ.
ing as above, with the parish priest
or the ordinary of the place Or the two
witnesses. ...
II. Here and in the following az
ticles by parish priest is to be undsr-
stood not only priest legitlmately
presiding over a parish canonically
erected. but in regions where parishes
are not economically erected the priest
to whom the care of souls has been
legitimately entrusted in any specified
district and who is equivalent to a
parish priest; and in missions where
the territory has not yet been per-
fectly divided. every priest generally
deputed by the superior Of the mission
for the care of souls in any station.
III. Only those marriages are valid
which are contracted before the parish
priest or the ordinary of the place or
a priest delegated by either Of these,
and at least two witnesses. according
to the rules laid down in the following
articles, and saving the exceptions
mentioned under VII. and VIII.
". The parish priest and the or.
dinary of the place validly assist at
marriage:
/. Only from the day they have
taken possession of the benefice or on
tered upon their office. unless they
have been by public decree excom-
municated by name or suspended from
the office.
2. Only within the limits Of their
territory; within which they assist VAL
idly at marriages not only Of their
own subjects, but also Of those not
subject to them.
3. Provided when invited and asked,
and not compelled by violence or by
grave fear. they demand and receive
the consent of the contracting parties.
v. They assist licitly:
l. When they have legitimately as.
certained the free state Of the con-
tracing parties. having duly complied
with the conditions laid down by tho
law.
2. When they have ascertained that
one Of the contracting parties has
domicile or at least has lived for 4
month in the place where the marriage
takes place.
3. If this condition be lacking the
parish priest and the ordinary of the
place. to assist licitly at marriage.
require the permission Of the parish
priest or the ordinary Of one Of the
contracting parties, unless it be case
Of grave necessity, which excuses from
this permission.
4. Concerning persons without fixed
abode (vagos). except in case Of nec-
essity it is not lawful for a parish
priest to assist at their marriage until
they report the matter to the ordinary
or to a priest delegated by him and
obtain permission to assist.
5. In every case let it be held as
the rule that the marriage is, to be
celebrated before the parish priest Of
the bride, unless some just. cause ex-
cuses from this.
vi. The parish priest and the ordi-