The Washington herald., 1908-07-12

Rome. July 1.-THE Pope's decree, is
sued last Monday. makes the most
sweeping reform of modern times IN the
administration machinery Of the Roman
Catholic Church. Much Of the compH-
Gated and obsolete bureaucracy, which
has grown up in the past two or three
centuries. is simpllfed or swept away.
The first part OF the decree provides
for redistribution OF work. and par
ticuiarly separates the legislative and
disciplinary functions from the judicial.
which In future will be relegated to the
proper tribunals.
The second part OF the decree laws
down the procedure Of these tribunals.
which will comprehend in the tribunal
Of the rota courts OF first instance and
appeal. end n the tribunal apostolic sig
nature a court OF cessation. It also pro-
vides for the protection OF poor suitors.
The third part establishes a rule for
the appointment. promotion. and salaries
OF all officials. secretaries. and others
IN the employment OF the Holy See.
Powers OF Tribunal Enlarged.
To understand more fully these
changes. it must be remembered that the
/ actual government Of the church ever
since the sixteenth century has been dele
/ gated by the Pope 20 the congregattens OF
| cardinals These correspond more or less
to the ministries Of modern states. an
! Important difference being that the con-
! gregations possess also legislative and ju-
! dicial faculties There existed also Ger
| tain tribunals such as the penitentlary,
the rota. and the apostolic signature and
| offices for the dispatch Of business. such
as the chancery dataria. the chamber
lains. and that Of the secretary OF state.
In the course Of time this has led some
times TO a usurpation and Sometimes to
an interchange OF duties with correspond
ing confusion in regard 10 the work. In
! future al contentious cases will, be re-
moved from the congregations. and VIII
be dealt with by the tribunals.
Work RedIStributed.
The work Of the congregations them
selves has also been redIstrlbuted In some
respects Tne congregation OF the holy
office viii only be concerned with the pro-
! lection of the doctrine and the Judgment
! Of heresies. Questions OF discipline,
sacramental or other. are removed from
its Jurisdiction. with The exception OF the
questions of marriages between Catholics
and non-Cathollcs-
| The consistorial congregation is given
wider power in the creation Of bishops
and IN the control Of seminaries, as we'll
as dioceses of this congregation. and that
Of the holy Office OF the Pope still re-
mains the prefect.
A new congregation OF the sacraments
is created TO deal with all questions con-
nected with the seven sacraments. espe-
cially all matrimonial questions. divorces.
separations, and others. save mixed mar
riages. which VIII remain in the hands OF
the congregation OF the holy Office.
loses Its Jurisdiction.
The congregation OF the propaganda
loses its Jurisdiction over England. Scot
land. Ireland. Holland. Luxemburg. Can
ada, the United States. and New Found
land, which countries now enter into the
common law Of the Church. The congre-
cation Of the council, in addition to its
present duties. will be intrusted with the
discipline Of the secular clergy and laity.
chapters. parishes. plous works. and con-
fraterniues.