The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-11-12
lRREMoVARLE PASTORS
Decree of consistorial Congregation
to Go Into Effect

" W INV EUCSA
New York Nov. Preparations
are being made to put in practice the
decree of the Consistorial Congrega-
ton the provisions of which change
the procedure for removals from the
priesthood of the Roman Catholic
church Although the new ecclesias-
tical law limits the powers of hish-
ops by more clear definition it is al
so welcomed by dignitaries of the
church in that It lessons their res.
possibility
In effect it places every priest in
charge of 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 is
somewhat anomalous for it means a
priest in charge OF church who can
be removed by the bishop for canon
ical reasons.
Under the new decree no priest
can be removed from the church over
which he presides except on trial and
| there are nine causes given, which
serve as the basis for action against
him. These are perpetual insanity,
grave physical or mental incapacity,
loss of reputation, imminent danger
of scandal. rooted hostility of the peo-
pie bad administration, confirmed dis
obedience and gross neglect OF par.
ochial duties.
The position of "irremovable rec.
i forN hoe avfctn1 Fcr
church. Under the new regime when
all rectors are to be considered as re
movable only for certain causes, II
will be possible for a congregation ia
request the removal of a priest who
has incurred the disapproval of the
majority OF the communications. His
case will be considered first by exam
liners with whom the bishop OF the
diocese shall meet, and later In case
OF appeal by commission of con
sultors.
II will be possible under the new
code II is maintained by eminent stu
dents Of ecclesiastical law, who, how
ever In the absence of the ArchbIsh
op, do not care to be quoted on the
matter for a priest TO state his de
sire to remain where he is. In In,
event of an effort to remove him witt
out stating a definite reason by IN,
bishop for so doing he may insist OF
remaining, The bishop. II there b.
strong canonical reasons for remoy
ing a rector. must see in Il that tn
change is made in accordance witt
some provision OF the new decree. III
cannot remove q rector whom he re
CARDS as having offended without hay
ing him presented, for examination
and only after an adverse finding b
that tribunal
One advantage which II Is said vii
accrue from the new law will make
possible for n church TO more surel
retain a priest to whom IL Is attache
and at the same time the parishes Wi
have an opportunity for expressin
their disapproval of priest freel
should his ministrations for grave re
sons. be considered no longer accel
table.
There has always been a right {
appeal to Rome for priests who col
sidered that they had been harshl
dealt with by their superiors. Their
are several notable instances OF thI
system, but the recent decree is r.
garded as giving all rectors futile
opportunity TO be heard in their ow
defense In case they should 4
brought up for discipline. The ne
legislation Is only a part Of the ne
code which Pope Plus X win full
promulgate.