Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-04-20
Of Catholic Church as
Revised Now In Effect.
The Pre-nuptiaI Engagement
In Writing Is Cut Out.
Mixed Marriages Regulations Are
Changed In Radical Way.

New OTk, ADTI Will eiiC No wa
of Eaater day the Roman Catholic
church in this country adopted the new
legislation on marriage prescribed IN
the recent Papal document NE
Ternere."
In every church, chapel and mission
the pastor in charge directed the at
tention Of the laity to the Pope's de-
cisiOns relating to the sanctity OF the
marriage state All the archbishops Of
the country issued messages and COM
mentaries on the Papal document to
their clergy Cardinal Gibbons and
Archbishop Glennon Of st. Louis and
Archbishop Ryan of Philadelphia sup
plemented the Pope's decree with spe-
cial Instructions, which interpret its
Significance for the Catholics of the
United States.
Archbishop Farley addressed an Of
fetal document to the clergy of the
archdiocese Of New York, saying:
1.-THE action Of the church is but an
other striking example Of the wise and
prudent policy she has adopted with
regard to the Holy sacrament Of mat
rimony, ever investing this sacred
union of man and woman with sol
emnty Of law and form timely and
suitable to conserve the dignity of the
marriage state. Christ had placed in
the keeping of the church the seven
sacraments; and of the seven matri-
mony is the most exposed to suffer
from men and women, perveCsion OF
it's noble purpose through carnai pas
sion, Dissertation of its sancity by mar
ital infidelity and violation Of its life
binding union by divorce"
Then the archbishop makes known the
provisions of the new legislation. 1t en-
braces the betrothal or engagement; what
marriages are valid in the eyes of the
church; when a priest may validity per-
form the marriage ceremony, and regula-
lions regarding marriage between a Cath
Ole and a non-Catholic.
'The new legislation does not impose
upon people about to marry the arch
bishop declares, IAN obligation to make
formal prenuptal engagements in writ
Ing and before witnesses as a prerequisite
for marriage. They may be married, as
heretofore, after a simple verbal promise
of marriage given to each other"
This is a liberal Interpretation of the
clause 'sponsalia" Of the papal decree
which directs that, to be valid and canon
zeal. engagements should be drawn up
in writing duly signed by the parties con-
tracing sponsalia and attested by proper
Witnesses
TIE most radical change in the present
law is that relating to priests and mixed
marriages.
.,'The Decree" the archbishop continues.
'effects a very radical change in our
present discipline with regard to mived
marriages. which, after Easter, will not
be valid unless contracted before q priest
having jurisdiction over marriage in the
place in which the marriage ceremony
Is performed. Even when q dispensation
has been obtained the marriage, in order
to he valid, must be performed by priest
having such jurisdiction
The limitation of the jurisdiction OF
priests in this respect is one of the chief
clauses in the Papal document. and Arch
bishop Farley has especially directed the
attention Of his clergy to that clause. In
plain words, no priest can go into another
city, town, village or hamlet and perform
q marriage ceremony validity unless he
has first received authorization from the
episcopal authorities or their administra-
torc. 7 he only exception to this is where
the circumstances are such that mar
rage is necessary to relieve conscience"
as in the case of a person about to die.
and to "legitimatze any offspring there
mny be-
EVERY priest" Archbishop Farley
says. should appreciate that he is bound
to enter in the parish register every mar
riage performed by him. The omission
OF one marriage through culpable negli-
gence is n grave matter. not only Sc
rious violation of precept but a grave in
Justice to the couple married"