The Irish standard., 1907-03-09

increasing number of calls for dispen-
sations, we believe that tho time has
come FOR the application of stringent
regulations calculated to check this
evil; save the Church from the enor-
nous losses incurred through mixed
marriages and protect our Catholic
men and women from such a CALLING
yoke as that Of an indissoluble union
with one who Is not Of the faith and
who for this reason can never be one
mind and one heart in that bond, of
all the most holy and most intimate:
union with God and the one true faith.
OF all the different states entering
into the formation. government and
which imposes greater sacrifices and
demands greater graces than the state
of matrimony. Countless are the suf-
ferings and privations which follow in
its train, and if the contracting par
ties are not proof against them, by
their patience and forbearance sup
piled by the sacramental grace, their
lives will not be happy.
The powers for dispensing in mixed
marriages vested in bishop are dele
gated faculties and can only be used
according to the mind of the Church.
Now the Church grants these dispen-
sations only after safeguarding all the
rights Of the Catholic party; namely,
perfect liberty to practice his religion;
freedom to raise the family in the
Catholic faith and solemn pledge on
the part of the n-Catholic to provide
a Catholic education for the children
should the Catholic parent come to
die. These promises III printed form
are to be signed by the non-Catholic
and will be kept in the archives by
the priest in reference in case OF
need. Catholics contemplating a
mixed marriage should in time pro-
cure from their pastor a copy Of these
promises to be presented to their Prot
estant suitors in the very beginning
Of their courtship. When all prepa-
rations for the marriage have been
mado and the day for the ceremony
has been selected, there is no time
any more for adjusting these points;
nor is 1t fair to present tho promises
at this juncturs.
Ne bishop can grant a dispensation
unless these promises are secured and
We possess the assurance that they
will be carried out. 1t is clear from
what we have said before that a sim
pie non-interference on the part OF
the non-Catholic cannot secure the
raising OF the family in the Catholic
faith; for this will require a positive
Incorporation with the Catholic father
or mother, which cooperation in tho
event OF death shall have to be car.
-ried alone by the Protestant. But how
can he assume such responsibilit!
unless he knows what tho Catholic
Church teaches? Therefore, We de-
mand that every Protestant wishing Il
marry Catholic, submit to a course
of instructions to prepare himsel
for tho discharge of his duties II
helping to raise a Catholic family. W.
shall grant no dispensation unless thi
request is complied with-and w,
warn Catholics to take up this matte
in time with their nom Catholic suitors
The raising Of a. Catholic family II
a mixed marriage where the father i
but il the mother happens to be tn
Protestant, then it becomes an inlpos
siblc task. The mother has by far tn
largest share in the raising and edu
eating Of the children. The children
are 81 moro intimate part of TIL
mother, since they are kneadcd in ho
own flesh and blood Wherefore
she is not Catholic she will never b
, able to raise Catholic family. There
fore we positively shall refuse T.
, grant dispellsation in mixed mar
riage where the woman is u nom Cath
olic and We warn all Catholic youn
men against forming such acquaint
ances with IL view to contracting mar
riage.
Lake Toqua.