Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-19
NEW MARRIAGE RULES
Catholic Church Today Adopts
me Temere" Precepts.
THE DECISIONS OF Plus X
Jurisdiction of Priests Limited by
Document.
SOME RADICAL CHANGES MADE
Archbishop Farley Explains Changes
for Benefit of the Laity-Re-
sumo Of Legislation.
THE DECISIONS OF Plus X
SOME RADICAL CHANGES MADE

n,
of Easter day the Catholic Church in this
country will adopt the new legislation on
marriage contained and prescribed in the
recent papal document, Ne Temere. In
every church, chapel and mission the pas
tor in charge tomorrow morning will d.
rect the attention of the laity to the pre-
scription of Plus KS decisions relating
to the sanctity of the marriage state. All
the archbishops of the country have Is
sued to their clergy messages and COM
mentaries on the paoal document. Car
dinal Gibbons and Archbishops Ireland of
St. Paul, Glennon of st. Louis and Ryan
of Philadelphia have supplemented the
pope's decree with special instructions
that interpret its significance for the
Catholics of the United States.
Statement Of Policy.
Here in New York Archbishop Farley
has addressed an official document to
the clergy Of the archdiocese of New
York. saying:
THE action Of the church is but an
other striking example of the wise and
prudent policy she has adopted with re-
gard to the holy sacrament Of matri-
mony ever investing this sacred union of
man and woman with soiemnity of law
and form, timely and suitable to conserve
the dignity of the marriage state. Christ
has placed in the keeping of the church
the seven sacraments, and of the seven
matrimony is the most exposed to suffer.
nd nf G
noble purpose through carnal passion,
dissertation of its sanctity by marital in
fidelity and violation of its life-binding
union by divorce"
Provisions of Legislation.
The Archbishop of New York makes
known the provisions of his new legisla-
ton. 1t embraces the betrothal or en-
gagement, what marriages are valid in
the eyes of the church, when a priest
may validity perform the marriage cere-
mony, and prescriptions regarding mixed
marriages. that is. marriage between a
Catholic and non-Catholic.
The new legislation does not impose
on people about to marry the arch
bishop declares. IAN obligation to make
formal pre-nuptial engagements in writ
ing and before witnesses as a prerequi-
as heretofore. after simple verbal prom
isl of marriage given to each other" :,
This is liberal Interpretation of the
clause "sponsalia' Of the papal decree.
ical. engagements should be drawn up
in writing, duly signed by the parties
contracting sponsaia and attested by
pre- per witnesses"
Radical Change Effected.
The most radical change in the present
laws is that relating to the jurisdiction
Of priests and mixed marriages.
The Decree" the archbishop continues,
effects very radical change in our pres
ent discipline with regard to mixed mar
riages, which, after Easter. will not be
valid unless contracted before a priest
having Jurisdiction over marriage in the
place in which the marriage ceremony is
performed. Even when a dispensation
has been obtained the marriage. in order
to be valid, must be performed by a
priest having such jurisdiction
THE Limitation OF the jurisdiction of
priests in this respect is one of the chief
clauses in the papal document, and Arch
bishop Farley has especially directed the
attention of his clergy to that clause. In
plain words no priest can go into an
other city, town. village or hamlet and
perform a marriage ceremony validly-un-
less he has first received authorization
from the oplSCOpdl dutilOTltleS VI lueIT
administration.
Strict Formally Here.
The only exception to this is in the case
where the circumstances are such that
marriage is necessary TO relieve con-
SCIENCE" as in the case of a person about
to die, and SO 'legitimatize any offspring
there may be-"
For the benefit Of the laity. Archbishop
Farley has summed up the provision of
the papal document, showing the strict
Formally that will surround the solemni-
cation of marriage in the Catholic Church
Every priest" Archbishop Farley says
SHOULD appreciate that he is bound, sub
garvi to enter in the parish register every
marriage performed by him. The omis-
sion of one marriage through culpable
negligence is a grave matter. not only a
serious violation of precept, but grave
injustice to the couple married"