Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1908-12-25
PAROCHIAL BOUNDARIES,

Rev. and Dear Father:
In view Of the present legislation on
marriages it becomes specially neces-
sary that pastors be most careful to
know the exact limits of the territory
of their parish.
Where no specifically defined terri
tory has been assigned to parish, the
boundary between that and the ad1oin.
ing parish is the halfway line'--
persons living nearer to one church
than to another being parishioners OF
the former.
Where different parishes have been
established to serve Catholics of
different languages, the territory
assigned to each one is altogether
independent Of the lines circumscrib-
ing the territory of adjoining parishes
of other languages. Over this terri
tory the pastor has full jurisdiction,
whether it covers more or less of the
territory embraced within the lines of
the parishes of other languages
It may not, however, be always so
easy to determine whether certain
persons or families belong to a parish
of the English language or to one
where some other language is in use.
According to the decision of the S.
congregation OF the Propaganda,
Catholics of parishes III which the
English language is not used, knowing
sufficiently the English language to
fulfill in it their religious duties, have
the right to become members OF the
parish in which the English language
is spoken. But as to when and how,
precisely. the t1sazisference of their
parochial allegiance becomes opera
tive, the congregation has given no
formal rulings. Until further orders,
the following observations will govern
pastors Of the diocese OF st. Cloud:
The transfer of ones parochial
allegiance must be made, in bona
tde, because of an avowed preference
for the use of the English language in
matters Of rel1gion-not through a
temporary Whim, or as the result of
local or personal quarrel or disagree.
ment.
It must be plain that persons or
families wishing to adhere to an
English speaking parish understand
and speak the English language quite
sufficiently to acquit themselves
readily Of their religious obligations
In that language.
Once their adherence is given to an
English-speaking parish, persons or
families are not allowed to return to
their former parish. The adherence
must be definite and final.
The adherence to an English parish
becomes an established fact either by a
formal announcement made to the
pastor of such parish, or by public
attendance at its services, and par
ticipation in It's affairs continued
sufficiently long to show clearly that
the Intent and purpose of the parties
is to adhere definitely to such English
speaking parish.
Occasional, or even frequent atten-
dance at mass in the church of an
English speaking parish, for con-
venience sake. does not constitute or
indicate permanent membership.
Minors belong to the parish of their
parents or guardians. ana are not
allowed to choose for themselves an
English speaking parish.
Pastors of English speaking parishes
must not make advances to Catholics
of other languages to induce them to
abandon the parish of their first al
legiance; and when doubt exists as to
which parish persons or families be-
long the presumption is always in
favor of the parish of their former
language.
Where doubt exists as to parish
lines, pastors will have recourse to the
ordinary for the settlement of such
doubt. These rules shall be in force
after their publication.
Yours very sincerely,
>... JAMES TROBEC,
Bishop of st. Cloud.