The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-12-31
Rt. Rev. James TrObeC Sends Out
aPaStOraI Letter
LIMITS OF PARISHES
All the Pastors in the St. Cloud
Diocese Receive the C0mmun-
iCdtiOa from Him

Rt. Rev. James Trobec, bishop o
ST. Cloud, has issued the followin.
letter to all the pastors and churches
in the diocese:
| ST. CLOUD, MINI, Dec. Is, 1905
Rev. and Dear Father: In view o
the present legislation on marriages
lit becomes specially necessary tha
pastors be most careful to know the
exact limits of the territory of theil
parish.
Where no specifically defined terri
tory has been assigned to parish
1 the boundary between that and the
adjoining parish is the halfway line"
persons living nearer to one church
than to another being praishioners
of the former.
Where different parishes have beer
Established to serve Catholics CT diff
sferent languages the territory assign
ed to each one is altogether independi
.ent of the Ines circumscribiIg the
territory o1 adjoining parishes of 9th
er languages. Over this territory the
pastor has full jurisdiction, whethe'
it covers more or less of the territory
he 1irac nf thn
lshes OF other languages.
IL may net, however, be always ST
a,asy to determine whetheH certair ir
oersons or families beloLg to parisl
,of the English language or to one
where some otler language is In use,
According TO the decision of the s.
scCngregatiol. OF the Propaganda, Cath
5olics OF parishes in which the English
language is not used, knowing suffi-
c1eifiy the English language TO- o'fuifffl
it In their religious duties, have the
right 10 become members of the par
ish i'm which the English language is
spoken But as to when and how
precisely the transference of their
lparochial allegiance becomes opera
tive, the congregation has given no
formal rulings. Until further orders.
the following observations will gov
.arn pastors of the diocese of ST..
Cloud:
The transfer of ones parochial al
legiance must be made in bona fide,
because of an ayowed preference fol
the use of the English language III
matters of religion-not through a
temporary whim, or as the result of
local or personal quarrel or disagree
ment.
1t must be plain that persons or
families wishing to adhere to an Eng
lish-speaking parish understand and
speak the English language quite suf-
f.ciently to acquit themselves readily
of their religious obligations in THAI
language.
Once their adherence is given to an
English-speaking parish, persons or
families are not allowed to return to
their former parish. The adherence
must be definite and final.
The adherence of an, English parish
becomes an established fact either by
a formal announcement made to the
pastor of such parish, or by public at
tendance at it's services, and partici-
patton in its affairs continued suffi-
GENTLY long to show clearly that the
intent and purpose of the parties is to
adhere definitely to such English
sueaking parish.
Occasional or even frequent atten-
dance at mass in the church of an
English speaking parish, for convent
ence sake, does not constitute or in
.iicate permanent membership.
Minors beloLg to the parish of their
PARENTS or guardians and are not al
owed TO choose Tor themselves an
l.'nglish-speaking parish.
Pastors Of English-speaking parish.
Is must not make advances to Catho-
les of-other languages TO induce them
20 abandon the parish of their first
and when doubt exists as
10 which parish persons or. families
Delong the presumption Is always in
|ayor of the parish Of their former
language.
Where doubt exists as to parish
ines. pastors will have recourse to-
The ordinary for the settlement Of
such doubt. These rules shall be In
'orce after their publication.
JAMES TRoBEC.
Bishop Of st. Cloud.