The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-05-27

non-Cathoiics and persons related TO
them within certain degrees OF kim
dred, why does the Bishop, for a few
dollars, grant a dispensation that
priest may perform the ceremony?
(2) If that is right in the eyes of God
and the Church, why can not Catho-
lie, for the same price, obtain permits
sion to eat meat on Friday and all fast
days, or to remain away from Mass
on Sunday?
(1) BY a dispensation is meant the
relaxation of law in a particular case
for a good reason. In other words, 1t
is a special exemption granted by the
proper authority from an obligation
binding on an individual or 1ndl-
viduals. The necessity for a dispense
ton arises from the fact that a law
made for the general good may not be
beneficial in a special case and may,
therefore, be relaxed with respect to
that individual, while it continues to
bind the community. In the case in
question the law of the Church for
bidding Catholics to marry non-Catho-
lies or their near relations is for the
general welfare 1t is a disciplinary
measure taken by the Church to guard
against the dangers arising from such
unions. Since the Church has author
ity to make the law, she has, likewise,
the right to grant, for good and sutti-
cient reasons, dispensatlon or eXcep-
ton in favor of a certain individual.
The reasons for such action are laid
down or indicated in Catholic theology,
and they must, in all cases, be made
known to the Bishop before he will
grant the dispensation. A dispense
ton can not be bought even if one
were to offer more than "a few dol
lars" It is always granted gratuitous-
ly to the poor and very often to others.
The fee required, when the person
dispensed is able to afford it, is for
the purpose of covering the expense
of issuing the dispensation as we'll
as an aims to be devoted to the sup
port of Religion and other charitable
purposes. 1t may not inappropriately
be looked upon as fine imposed on
the Catholic for doing wrong. 1t does
not go into the pocket of the Bishop.
much less into that of the priest; nor
does it exempt the person in whose
favor the dispensation is given from
the obligation of rendering the GUS
tomary offering to the priest who per-
forms the marriage ceremony. (2)
The granting of dispensations is GER
tainly right in the eyes of God and OF
the Church, for each has the authority
to say in certain cases: "The law
was not made for thee, but for all
Others" Furthermore, person may
not need a dispensation in order tc
be freed from the observance of law
He may be exempt on account of i'll
ness or for some other equally good
reason. Thus, a sick person is not
required to observe, the laws of fast
and abstinence, nor is he obliged tt
go to Mass on Sunday. The usua
Interpretation of the law exempts hin
without the payment of even "a few
dollars for dispensation.
% May a Protestant act as sponsor
at the baptism of a Catholic child
(2) Can q Catholic woman marry ;
divorced Catholic whose first marriage
was not "solemnized" by the Catholic
Church?
CD No. A Protestant can not con
scientiously promise to perform thu
duties of sponsorship to Catholic
child, that is, provide for the upbring
ing of the child in the Catholic religion
in the event of the parents DEATH O
neglect to do their duty in this regard
(2) A marriage is said to be solemn
lied" when the ceremony is performet
at Mass, with the nuptial blessin
and the usual outward evidences of re
joicing. 1t is not permitted during tn
penitential seasons of Advent an
Lent; but, in case of necessity, pei
sons may be married privately du1
ing these times. If the Catholic ma
was married before priest and tw
witnesses the marriage is valid, whetl
er it was "solemnized" or not, and n
divorce can be obtained which wi
permit him to marry again during tn
lifetime of his wife. If the ceremon
took place under any other circun
went into effect, it is, of course, il
valid from the point of view of tn
Church, and he is free to contract al
other marriage after obtaining legs
divorce.
An unbaptized Protestant marries
non-CathoIic and afterwards obtains
divorce from her. Can Catholic al
marry him if he is first baptized.
Presumably, the first marriage
binding, and in that case the man
not free to contract another marrias
during the lifetime of his wife.
DO Catholics adore the Virgin Mar,
No. Catholics adore God alon,
but they venerate the Blessed Virgin
that is, they love and honor her as IL
Mother of God and the greatest of H
saints. They know that she is only
creature; and that, therefore, to ado