The San Francisco call., 1908-08-02

NEW YORK, Aug. 1.-The text Of the
apostolic constitution (sapienti con-
silio) has now reached this country
While 1t would be too venturesome
an undertaking to endeavor to sketch
the details of the new reform, enough
is gathered from a first glance at this
great document to realize that it in
augurates the most colossal reform
of the Roman Curia ever attempted
by Roman pontiff. This first
document is supplemented by two 9TH
ers-one special law regulating the
constitution and procedure Of the two
Roman tribunals, to which Plus x has
transferred all the purely judicial and
contentious matter referred to Rome;
the other a regulation for the COM
position and working of the Roman
congregations. tribunals and offices es-
tablished by the apostolic constitution.
1t is thought that there will also be
some further modification Of the con-
gregation of the council, which will
be renamed the congregation OF the
code, and will be entirely occupied with
the Interpretation of the code of Plus X
The main feature that forces itself
upon our attention now is that by the
new constitution great changes. es-
pecially as affecting English speaking
countries. are inaugurated; and the one
great dominant feature of the reform
is the restoration, and in English
speaking countries practically the in
PRODUCTION, of the reign of canon law.
CLEAR DIVISION OF WORK
For three centuries the Roman con-
gregations have been the instruments
through which the Roman pontiff has
governed the universal church. All
these congregations perform their work
by authority delegated to them by the
pope, who is, OF course, always the
supreme arbiter of their decisions and
legislation.
In the course of time the functions
of several congregations became over
burdened and somewhat intermingled.
There were annoying delays in the
transaction of important business, until
It became marvel that so much really
effective work was accomplished despite
the cumbersome and somewhat an
tiquated machinery. To remedy all this
and to bring the vast administrative
methods of the Catholic church to the
greatest possible perfection, thoroughly
adapted to the twentieth century, is the
purpose of this latest magnificent re-
form Of Plus x.
He makes a clear division OF the
work assigned to the congregations,
tribunals and Offices. He assigns legfs-
lative and disciplinary matters to the
congregations and hands over all con-
tentious matters to the tribunals.
These tribunals he makes courts OF
first instance and of appeal.
He grants to all the right to plead
their own cases before the tribunals
without Intervention of lawyers or
agents OF any kind; provides gratuitous
legal assistance for those unable to pay
for 1t, and makes general reduction
in legal fees, renting them entirely
in the case of the very poor.
REARRANGEs CONGREGATIONS
He rearranges the congregations
suppressing some, enlarging the duties
OF others, clearly stating and defining
the special work of each. Under the
new constitution there are IL congre-
cations, as follows:
The congregation of the holy office
OF which the holy father is the prefect
guards the teaching of faith and morals
The consistorial congregation, OF
which also the holy father is the
prefect. prepares what is to be done
In the consistories, looks after the
founding of new dtoceses, the elections
of bishops, ETC.; and also attends to
matters concerning the government OF
the different dioceses. everything ap-
pertaining to the government, dis
cipiine, temporal administration and
studies Of the seminaries, etc. When
conflicts Of law arise this con-
gregation solves doubts concerning the
competence of the sacred congrega-
tions. OF this congregation the cardi-
nal secretary of the holy Office and
the cardinal secretary of state shall
always be ex officio members.
DISCIPLINE OF SACRAHIENTs
The congregation on the discipline of
the sacraments has the entire legis-
lation concerning the discipline of the
seven sacraments. To the congrega-
tion of the council is committed that
branch of affairs which relates to the
universal discipline of the secular
clergy and of the Christian people. The
congregation of the affairs of religious
decides only those matters throughout
the world which relate to the affairs of
religious of both sexes and to the
secular third orders. etc.
The jurisdiction of the congrega-
tion de propaganda fde is limited to
hierarchy not being vet constituted
the missionary state still exists, and to
some regions possessing. indeed, a
hierarchy, but still somewhat inchoate
From the jurisdiction of this congrega-
ton the constitution DEGREES the trans
ference under the common law: in Eu-
rope, of the ecclesiastical provinces
of England, Scotland, ireland and Hol-
land and of the diocese of Luxem-
bourg; in America, of the ecolesiastical
provinces of the dominion of Canada
Newfoundland and the United States.
To these will very probably be soon
added Australia and New Zealand. At
fairs relating to these places will for
the future be treated by the other
congregations according to the nature
of the business To the propaganda is
united the congregation for the affairs
of oriental rites, which are to continue
entirely as before. With this congre-
cation is also joined the commission
for the union of the dissident churches.
TO EXAMINE WRITINGS
|. The congregation of the index will
examine diligently the books related
to 1t: will officially investigate
whether writings OF anv kind tho !