The Thibodaux sentinel. (Thibodaux, La.) 1905-1912, 1908-05-09
Catholic MarEriisa sgge u. Law ".

Catholic Maria &c Law.
Pamphlet Sanctioned " he Charcs
! Gives il Simple Language Provision
/ of New Regnla tons.
| An explanation of thu
salient provisions of the new
Catholic marriage law, which
went into effect last Sunday
is given in a pamphlet emit
tied The New Marriage
Legislation,'' published By
the Dolphin Press Company
of Philadelphia, and sanction
ed by the church authorities
Protrstants, too, will find the
papaI decree OF interest, as il
makes special reference to
them under certain condi-
tions.
The pamphlet, which was
prepared by John L. Nc.
Nicholas, .. P. s. L. L., con
tains the text Of the new law
10th in Latin aud English.
The chief features of the law
are summed up in English
in twenty eight paragraphs,
seven of which relate to enga
gements' and twenty-one to
marriages. " They are as
follows:
l.. Every ma trimonial en-
gagement after Easter must
be in writing, although there
is no necessity no obligation
to enter into formal engage
ment before marriage.
2. In the eyes Of the
church and before God pr
vate betTothai after Easter be
tween Catholic parties, or be-
tween fallen away Catholics
Degets no matrimonial obliga
ton whatever, because the
church DEGREES that every pre-
nuptial contract is void I'M
less it is written and duly at
attested.
3, Parties wishing to be
come engaged must sign the
prenuptial contract and have
the bishop or their pastor
witness it. In the absence of
the bishop or duly authorized
priest two witness must sign
the engagement. II one or
both of those to be engaged
cannot write this should be
and thre6 lay witness
must sign the engagement in
the absence Of the bishop or
the parish priest.
1. These engagements
should be encouraged. II
made some months before
marriage they will help to
stop hasty alliances which are
the cause Of so many divorces
the church and so
many unhappy marriages
among Catholics,
5. This written contract
would furnish good grounds
u our civil courts for breach
IT promise suit.
6. Protestants and all |
who have never been |
baptized in the Catholic
aith are not sub
ects Of this law, hence their
contracts bind for the
nipple reason that the church
las not made these the conf
.itions under which they'll
aust enter into an engage
lent.
Z. All fallen away Catho
cs, whether they have be-
ONE Protestants or infdels. |.
re bound by the law. The
hurch, like the state, can
ind her refraction subjects. !,
!. Every bishop (or vicar.
7neral Or administrator of a u
llocese) can validity marry in t
is own diocese any parties, t
Irrespective Of the country il
place whence they come.
ne bishop can delegate any II
lest to do the same. u
2. Bishops or priest may u
IT assist at marriages until h
ey nave assumed Office. "
3. There is no marriage al b,
if the priest be compelled
witness it. There is no mar nj
age il the priest does not I'll
( and receive the consent m
the parties. e
A. The authority which g
9 bishop has i'll his di,oeses y y
g parish priest has in his g
rish. u. "e
5. Marriage before a priest til
g is suspended CT excom- to
lnlcated by name will be th
marriage at all.
I. Marriage Of all Catho. m:
: Goth parties Catho|ic) pc