Evening journal., 1908-07-17
new LAWS MAKE
SWEEPING CHARGES
Under New Order Of Affairs
Members Must Attend Own
Parish Church

In Catholic circles in this country. II is
said that the new order OF things that will
be brought about In the church by the
transfer Of American Catholic affairs
from the congregation Of the Propaganda
Eide to the direct control OF the Cardinal
Secretary Of State will not be cordially
welcomed by the American hierarchy.
The Apostolic delegate in Washington,
Mgr. Diomede Falconio. has not yet re-
ceived a copy Of the papal decree. A
well informed Catholic prelate has said,
however, that much Of the independence
which thu American church now enjoys
as a missionary establishment will cease
when the new order Of things goes into
force
How sweeping the changes viii be
cannot as yet be stated, but there viii
be important notifications in the status
OF parish priests and in the manner OF
elecung bishops The present status of
a parish priest in the United States. Il
was said, is somewhat analogous 70 that
Of a citizen Of territory while under the
new regime he viii acquire a status moro
nearly resembling that Of a citizen Of
State. In mission country the parish
priest is entirely subservient 70 the viii
Of his bishop and he can be sent from his
post at the bishops Will.
When the new order Of things goes
into force the appointment OF a priest
as rector Of a church, no matter how
unimportant the church may be, viii
give him unalienable rights which the
bishop must respect only for certain
we'll defined reasons can he be relieved
Iii
be given a formal trial before he can be
removed. All Catholics will appreciate
the Importance Of this new regulation
governing the status OF parish priests.
Candidates for bishoprics will have
their names submitted directly to tho
| Secretary OF State, who in turn will place
them before the Congregation Of Extraor-
binary Ecclesiastical affairs. But they
must be sent to the Secretary Of State by
I the Apostolic Delegate. and he must ex-
press appreciation of the choice.
There has recently existed a tendency
on the part Of soma American prelates
/ to deal directly with Rome without the
/ intermediation of the Pope's representa-
tives in this country This policy has
proved irritating TO the Roman author
tiles and has led to delay in transacting
business and confusion as to the merits
Of cases.
Many new regulations bearing on the
laity will be enforced in consequence Of
the change to a NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Catholic country. One is that every per-
son will be compelled TO make the Eas-
ter Communion in his parish church, and
II the rules are strictly enforced every
one will be compelled 10 hear Mass on
Sunday in his or her parochial edifce or
at least some public church. Priests every
where will welcome this change as a great
deal of trouble has accrued from the
old order OF things which permitted Cath
olics 10 hear mass in any church. Pri-
vate chapels and oratories will be placed
under rigid rules.
Another rule requires a Catholic 70
hold a pew within the limits Of the par.
ish in which he lives He will no longer
be able TO claim parochial rights in q
distant church merely because he holds
pew there. Parish priests will have
the right to enforce these rules and Ia
compel those who live in a parish to sup
port their church and attend IT, This il
another rule which the priests OF the
country will welcome.
Attendance at parochial schools will
also be regulated.