New-York tribune., 1908-07-07
A NEW PAPAL SYSTEM
Important Changes Made an the
Churchs Government.


reforming the organization and working of the
Roman congregations, was made public to-day 1t
removes Great Britain, Holland, Canada ana the
United States from the Jurisdiction OF the propa-
ganda, these countries thus ceaslns TO De cohsid-
cred missionary lands
Besides reform In the propaganda, the decree
Introduces remarkable notifications In the other
congregations. The document consists OF three
parts the first being an Apostolic constitution
reorganization the congregations through more
suitable division of subjects and eliminating the
duplication OF authority, and the second is spe-
cal law for the regulation of the labors OF the
ancient Rota and Segnatura tribunals
The most important part of the reform is that
both civil and criminal litigations removed
from the Jurisdiction of the congregations and in
trusted to the tribunals of the Rota and OF the
Segnatura, the congregations retaining only dis
ciplinary powers. congregation regulating
discipline and sacrament Is created, its duties in
Guiding also questions regarding marriages, while
the dogmatic side Of the sacraments remains under
the jurisdiction of the congregation of the Holy
Office which includes mixed marriages, namely
when either husband or wife is not Catholic
The Pope remains Prefect of the Holy Office
The Importance of the Congregation Of the Con-
sistory of which the Pope also is the Prefect Is
augmented by undertaking the creation of bish
ops and surveillance and direction of the rules
of dioceses and semnaries. and also deciding ques-
tfons of competence between the congregations.
The Tribunal of the Penitentary remains only as
internal court for questions OF conscience, all
other questions going TO the Rota IN the first in
stance and then the segnatura supreme
court.
The Rota works In sections Of three, five and
seven Judges or as whole body of judges. Its
sentences be justified in detail under pain OF
nullity. The Rota works also court of appeal
both for sentences pronounced by other courts or
sentences handed down by the Rota itself. In which
ca the appeal is judged by different judges
The Segnatura works court of cessation In
four cases. the first appeal court against an
entire sentence of the Rota; second alleged nulllty
third, suspicion against Rota judge, and fourth,
hear suits for damages against Rota judges.
ANY one can appeal against the decisions of these
courts with without the assistance of lawyers
and special body Of lawyers has been formed,
members pledging themselves to assist the poor
gratuitously The poor are also excepted from pay
ing fees to the court.
The decree will be followed by a new code COM
prising all of the Canon Law which Cardinal
Gasparri has been working for four years
In addition those already mentioned, the geo
graphical divisions removed from the jurisdiction
Of the Propaganda include Newfoundland, Gioral-
tar and Luxembourg. The reforms will become OPP
erative next November. The Rota will be an in
ternational court with ten Judges and besides the
Italian, French, Austrian, Spanish and Portuguese
judges 1t will have one Engnsh-speaklns
Judge. The Segnatura will be entirely composed
of cardinals the number of whom however, is as
yet uncertain. The practical result of the new
conditions is that the countries removed from tle
Jurisdiction the Propaganda, instead or apply
ing to the Propaganda for all questions to be de-
cided must apply TO suitable congregation. Ihe
creation of new dioceses and the appointment Oh
new bishops will be dealt with by the secretary
ship OF state after which they Will Dc sent III
trust to the Congregation Of the Consistory 10
carry out the decision While at present all ques-
tions are gratuitously dealt with by the Propa-
ganda as established for missionary lands. after
the reforms 20 into effect the payment OF the
usual fees will be exacted At the Vatican. how
ever IT Is remarked that English speaking prelates
always gave offering a larger amount than
the fee.
Washington July e.-Monsignor Bonaventure Che-
rett auditor of the Papal delegation. said to-day
that the reorganization of the Jurisdiction OF the
Propaganda WOULD mark . Wide departure IN Calh-
olc Church government. 1t is expected tnat 'he
change the movement for which has been going on
for some time against the Propagandas opposition
will be enthusiastically welcomed in the countries
affected The Roman Catholic hierarchy in the
United States. well as the other countries men
toned will he permitted to treat directly win
the Papal Secretary Of State and Will nave 'he
same standing at the Vatican as france Spain VI
Austria The new arrangement will simplify the
naming of bishops and other preates. Candidates
will not have the same multiplicity Of cardinals to
review their claims.
The procedure in this country as to candidates
will be the same as has always existed. Priests
and bishops of a diocese and archdiocese Will baot
for three names each, these names being sent dl-
rect through the Papal Delegate here to the Papal
Secretary of State. This country has always been
regarded as a mission the Church at Rome
under the supervision of the Propaganda. composed
of from sixteen eighteen cardinals, the mediurn
through which high authorities here have had 10
treat with the Vatican. TIE Propaganda is one OF
nineteen congregations IN Rome Whlch perform
duties akin to Congressional committees, each eX-
amining into matters under Its Jurisdiction and
each submitting Its conclusion to the Pope Ihe
Proparanda is one of te most important, so much
so that its Cardinal Prefect is Familiarity called the
Rod Pone" Cardinal Gott is the present prefect.