The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-11-15
RAISE STATUS OF PRIESTS.
New Decree by Pope Makes All Rec
tors lrremovabIe.

NEW YORK, Nov. l5.-Prepara-
tons are being made to put in prac-
tice the decree of the consistnrial |
the provisions OF which !
were detailed in cable dispatch and
which changes the procedure for re-
movals from tie priesthood OF the |
Roman Catholic church. 1t is lika!y
that some action Will be taken at the
meeting of the synod in
St. Patricl1's cathedral, over which
barley will preside.
The prelate is spending few days
at Hot Springs, Va, following his Ia
bors in connection with the recent
conservation, and will return toward
the end of this week. 1t is likely
that he will Immediately take up The
matter of officially promulgating the
decree and providing for the appoint
ment OF the necessary officials Al
though the new ecclesiastical Law
limits the powers of bishops by more
clear definition it is also welcomed
by dignitaries of the church in that
it lessons their responsibility
In effect it places every priest in
charge of a parish in the Catholic
church in the position OF an irremov-
able rector, as it is interpreted by
several eminent students of canon
law. The term irremovable rector js
somewhat anomalous, for it means
priest in charge of church who can
be removed by the bishop only for
canonical reasons.
Under the new decree no priest
can be removed from the church over
which he presides except on trial,
and there are nine cau',s given
which serve as the basis of action
against him. These are perpetual in
sanity. grave physical or mental In
capacity, loss of reputation. immi-
nent danger of scandal, rooted hostil-
ity of the people, bad administration,
confirmed disobedience and gross
neglect of parochial Luties.
The position of "irremovable rec
tor" has existed for years in the
church, and hundreds of the Ameri-
can clergy who have distinguished
themselves in learning and executive
ability have been so designated. In
der the new regime. when all rectors
are to be considered as removable
only for certain causes it will be pos
sible for congregation to request
the removal of priest who has in
Cured the disapproval of the Minority
of the com1hunicants. His case will
be considered first by examiners with
whom the bishop of the diocese snail
meet, and later in case of appeal by
commission of consultors.
1t will be possible under the new
code, it is maintained by eminent
students of ecclesiastical law, who,
however, in the absence of the arch
bishop, do not care to be quoted on
| the matter for priest to state MS
desire to remain where he IS. In the
event of an effort to remove him
without stating a definite reason by
the bishop for SO doing he may insist
4 on remaining. The bishop, if there be
stron economical reasons for removing
! rector, must see to 1t that the
change is made in accordance with
/ some provision of the new decree. He
cannot remove a rector whom he re-
CARDS as having OFFENDED without hay
ing him presented for examination
and only after an adverse findings
/ by that tribunal.
One advantage which it is said will
accrue from the new law will
make it possible for church to more
surely retain a priest to whom 1T is
attached and at the same time the
i parishes will have an opportunity fol
expressing their disapproval OF priest
freely should his ministrations, for
grave reasons, be considered no long
er acceptable.
The decree is interpreted as def
mite procurement on the authorit,
of the bishops. 1t is regarded as safe
guarding the powers of the high do
cesar authorities for the benefit O
:, those who come under their jurisdic
ton.
The labors of archbishop or bishoI
are not lightened by the new ordei
as it is necessary that he should ST
as a member of the various tribunals
although in these bodies the majorit.
rules when a case is considered.
There has always been right o
appeal to Rome for priests who con
sidered that they had been harshl!
dealt with by their superiors. Their
are several notable instances of thi
system, but the recent decree is re
garded as giving all rectors fulle
opportunity to be heard in their owl
defense in case they should b'
brought up for discipline. The new
! legislation is only part of the nev
code which Pope Plus x will full.
promulgate.