The Washington times., 1908-07-26
Sweeping Changes in
Church Policy TO Be Pub
liShed in America.
Plus REORGANIZES
GOVERNING BODIES
PaPal Delegate Falconio Translat-
ing Latin Text-America No
Longer Missionary Country.


Of reform in the administration of
Catholic affairs. Pope Plus has caused
TO be distributed throughout the United
States the mandates Of the new
apostolic constitution, which was made
Rublic IN Rome on the Feast of Saints
Peter ana Paul
Mgr. FalcOniO, the apostolic delegate
has received the Latin text OF the CON
stitution, and is now engaged in pre-
pairing 1t for distribution among the
bishops and archbishops Of this coun-
try. The document Is considered by /
Catholic churchmen as the most colossal /
reform ever attempted by any OF the \
roman pontiffs, not excepting the de- /
cree Of the Council Of Trent in l545
The church people in Washington con- ]
slider that the present ponum regards (
modernism as threatening the church 1
with as serious results as the reforma- /
ton did in the early part Of the SIX /
teenth century. 1t is pointed out THAI
among The sweeping changes, Plus y |
mas dismissed the entire personnel Of /
the congregation of the council; that is, /
the committee Of cardinals hitherto /
charged with interpreting the DEGREES
OF the council Of Trent, and in It's
place lie has created the congregation
OF the code, a committee whose sole
outy VIII be to make plain the obliga-
tons Of the Catholic world under the
new apostolic constitution and under
the code OF cannon law which will be
published in about two years.
Means Reign of Canon Law.
As regards the new constitution. II
was briefly stated at the delegation tnat
II means the reign Of canon law. rhs
document Is divided into three parts. the
hrSt OF which deals exclusively with the
reorganization Of Roman congregations
which assist the Pope IN all matters {
relating 10 the government Of. the Z
Church The changes are so wide in {
scope and so drastic in character that ]
American churchmen are amazed. Es-
pecia.ly does the reform touch all MAJ
ters Of contention between priest ami
bishops and even between laitv and
clergy, and the entire proceedings have
been placed on a colo legal basis where
In courts Of first instance and courts of !
appeal are established and their rights ,
defined
The second part Of the document con- h,
tains special laws regarding the cen 1
fN-A& PROCEDURE OF the TWO I {
Roman tribunals 10 which Plus Y has s
transferred all purely judicial and con
,enuous matter referred 10 Rome. and
-he third contains the regulation for the r
and working or the Roman v
tribunals. ..
Important Departure.
The most important portion of the con G
ititution as il refers 10 this country Is b
he transferring of ITS anairs from the D
propaganda fide TO the common furis- a
fiction Of canon Law. The bishops OF a
he United States VIII hereafter trans
ict all business with the various heads s
Il congregations instead of with the &
'refect of the propaganda. But It is a
'ointed cut that this change need NOT II
le troublesome for their agents can take Z
barge Of measures requiring Immediate :,
attention and it is predicted that there -
viii be distinct gam in the rapIdity
nd accuracy with which business. can
le transacted. q
A change which is greeted almost with u
enthusiasm is that which takes all pure ~
y judicial and controversial matters from Ioi
ne congregation and places them in :,
he hands Of duly constituted tribunals :,
'aled the Rota. or first instance. and :,
or court Of appeal. These | q,
'ourts are rigidIy organized and con- NJ
er the right on all-high or low. cleric a,
II iaymen-to appear and plead the w
ase- II permits an app~s~ance without
he compulsory representation by legal te
counsel or agents Of any kind. and he
makes provision for the necessary. gra- pI
uitous legal advice for those who can be
lot afo-d fee. Every sort OF legal
ee connected with Vatican business ID
as been lessened and the right to dis
ense entirely the poor has been con-
erred on the proper authorities. The
fhciais OF these courts will be ten pre-
ites TO be known as auditors. and all | &,
lust be doctors or theologians Of stand
q and doctors Of canon law, and they
lust cease to hold office when they
each the age OF seventy-ive.
Open Rebellion the Result.
A high churchman of WASHINGTON OF
oiated out that under the old method de
luch abuse had crept into the trying re-
cases by the different congregations 20
I'D dissatisfaction even open rebellion alb
as the result For instance. the pro-
ceilings were not judicial. but rather Gil
overned by general rules of Justice 70
no oenevolence. Sentences were i'm all
osed without any reason being assign m,
], and when appeal was made. the Ee
BY men who passed the first sentance on
'nsidered the appeal. Les
Under the new rule the preIates will de
Y all cases in groups of three. five
seven judges. or even the whole body X
hen the case is grave. There are sne- -
al rules TO prevent the same men who
resided over the hearings in the 6rsr
stance from taking part in an appeal {
Or the future, the clergy or laftv who gu
sh to appeal a case from the diocesan MI.
urt can appear before the Rota Pa
here they may plead their case ner- no,
-- Ko