The Irish standard., 1908-02-15

%"'"'Ii'lalll is StrOnE ana the 1nf1uA
enrc "f Catholic society dominant.
mixed marriages have led to many sin.
rcrc conversions. but in the greater
number of cities especially largo cities.
mixed marriages have proved to he q
ours" for the community and for indi-
vidualS. The Holy See in legislation
for the Universal Church cannot make
her general law suitable tn the partic-
''lar needs of one nation of people.
Ihns, in the present decree tho Holy
Sec III it's general law cXacts under
pain of nulity that the marriage of q
Catholic to ~ Protestant party must
take place before the "rdilary,, or a
duly autllorizcd priest. and witnesses,
But the general law makes wise pro-
vision t" allow mixed marriages to be
valid il, particular countries or local.
tiles even when celebrated before min.
listers or state officials; first, in all
places that now possess tlispenSation
| from the impeachment of candestinity.
\ and, secondly, wherever conditions, in
| tho judgment Of the Holy See. will war.
rant such an exception for the future
"hlsi pro ai1uo partirulari loco aut re-
gionc alter Il s. Scdc sit Statutun1."
Cardinal Gcnnari again assures us that
''nisi pro aIiquo," etc, does not change
or abrosate any existing dispensations
to the impeachment Of clandestinity.
hcncc owing to the decree "Provida'
granted to Germany. s january, 1905.
all marriages of Prntcstants among
| themselves. and of Catholics TO Profess
| tHnts before ministers or state officials
| in the whole of the German Impire.
will be valid after next Faster. Sjnil-
ar dispcnSationS exist in many other
countries. At present the writer csn-
not ascertain whether VIC have propor-
(, tlonatcly Il greater number of mixed
marriages than Germany. but, consid-
rring the loyal and living faith OF Am.
"rican Catholics, ii is certain VIC have
number out of all due proportion.
An Abstract Of the New Law for the
People.
TINt;AGEME ENTS.
L. Every matrinoniaI engagement
after Easter must be in writing, al.
though there is no necessity nor obli-
CATION to enter into a formal engage
mont before marriage.
| .. In the eyes of the Church and be-
| fcr nd to hot
or between Catholic parties, or be-
tween fallen away Catholics. begets
no matrimonial obligation whatever.
because tho Church decrecs that every
pr"nuptial contract is void unless it Is
written and duly attcsted.
! ). Parties wishing to become en-.
gagged must sign the prc-nuptial con-
tract. and have the Bishop or their pas
| tor witness it. In the absence Of the
Bishop or priest, two witnesses must
sign the engagement. If one or both
Of those to be engaged cannot write,
this should be noted, and three lay
witnesses must sign the engagement
In the absence OF the Bishop or the
parish priest.
4. These engagements should be en-
couraged. If made some months be-
fore marriage. they will help to stop
hasty alliances which are the cause Of
SO many divorces outside the Church,
SO many unhappy marriages among
Catholics.
S. This written contract would fur
nish good grounds in our civil courts
for breach Of promise suits.
| 6. Protestants and all who have
never been baptized in the Catholic
faith arc not subjects OF this law.
private contracts bind, for the simple
reason that the Church has not made
these conditions under which they
must enter into al engagement
{. All fallen-away Catholics, wheth-
] er they have become Protestants or in..-