The Detroit times., 1911-05-22
Ne TEMERE DECREE
ST|Rs ANGL|CANS
Pastoral Letter Read in Churches in
Canada Protesting Against Rome's
Ruling in Mixed Marriages.

Protestants throughout Canada are
much exercised over the recent ac-
ton OF a court In the province Of
Quebec In annulling a marriage be-
tween two members of the Roman
Catholic church on the ground that
II WAS Illegal. because of being-per.
formed by q Protestant clergyman,
Methodist An appeal was taken
from the decision and will be carried
10 the privy council. In Britain, the
highest court In the realm.
The Protestants are also up in
arms against the enforcement OF the
Ne temere" decree, which provides
that marriage between a Protestant
and Roman Catholic 10 invalid, un-
less performed by Catholic clergy
man.
The authorities OF the church Of
England, In Canada. have issued the
following letter, which was read In
all the Episcopal churches, In Canada,
Sunday:
We. the, archbishops. and.
bishops of that branch of the
Catholic church, known as the
Church OF England, In Canada,
to the faithful in Christ Jesus,
greeting.
Whereas, The minds OF many
have been greatly disturbed by
a decision in the courts OF the
province OF Quebec, annulling the
marriage between two members
of the Roman church, solemnized
by one authorized by the state to
ofticiate at marriages, and by in.
forcement of the decree known
as the me temere" decree by the
bishop of Rome; and
Whereas, We believe the said
decision to be contrary to the
Christian Ideal of marriage, TO
involve grave civil Injustice, and
\ TO be In its consequences de-
structive TO the home life of the
people;
We deem tour duty TO adj
! dress you on this subject.
I'VE desire to remind you that
the Anglican church In Canada
has ever taken the strictest view
regarding the sanctity OF marri-
age. Ii Is holy ordinance. insti-
tuted by God and Is the founda-
tion our social and family life
The church and state must unite
to guard the marriage bond, and
TO preserve its indissolubility. To
this end our general synod has
decreed that no clergyman OF
our church shall officiate at the
marriage OF any divorced person
during the lifetime OF the former
partner In the marriage
II Ia most desirable that those
who enter the holy estate OF mat
rimony should realize its solemn
ity. and have due regard TO- It's
blessings and mutual respon-
sibilities. We greatly deplore the
lowering OF the ideals and pur-
poses OF marriage which is so
common In many quarters. II is
OF the greatest moment that
those who enter into this estate
should be married by clergy
man of the church before proper
witnesses. and, wherever possi-
bie. In the church building, and
that they should be in agreement
concerning their religious con-
yictions. Mixed marriages are
ever TO be deprecated, as they
depriye husband and wife OF that
mutual help which one should
be to the other In life, and make
the religious training OF the chill
dren I'm the home most difficult.
Nevertheless, we emphatically as
sert the validity Of such marriages
when duly solemnized. and we main
tain that once consummated they are
indissoluble.
No marriage should be annulled be-
cause of the divergent religious con-
yictions OF the parties; nor because
of the ecclesiastical connection OF the
one solemnizing the marriage.
The church and state, though separ'
ated by law. must unite In protecting
those who have been married by a
duly competent officer authorized by
the state for the solemnizing of mar.
riages. and in upholding their civil
status and rights. Nor should the
state permit marriages to be annull-
ed for an ecclesiastical offense, or be-
cause Il Is contrary to the canon law
of the Church of Rome, or contrary to
the laws. rules and regulations OF any
religious organization whatsoever.
At the same time, we fully admit
the right Of any ecclesiastical or re-
ligious body to make and enforce such
spiritual penalties as may be In ac-
cordance with its own rules; but
without impeaching or interfering
.rort,uued ON mage 81.