The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-09-19

more marked development of the
Roman hierarchy than in any other
city of the West. Consequently 1t
was not surprise when, on July 81,
the announcement came from Ro-
man Catholic sources in ST. Louis of
an important change in attitude on
the part of the Papacy on the ques-
ton of mixed marriages. On that
date a telegraphic despatch was sent
to the daily newspaper press from
st. Louis, quoting the "Acta Sedae,"
an official Vatican publication, to the
effect that the Pope had repealed
that portion of the decree, me
Temere,' which dealt with the ques-
ton of mixed marriages and the re-
1igious training of the children of
such unions. The statement was as
follows:
tProtestants wishing to marry
, Catholics need no longer sign an
agreement to rear their children (re-
sulting from the marriage( in the
Roman Catholic faith. Neither VIII
they be obliged to pledge themselves
to refrain from interfering with the
Catholic consort's performance of
religious duties. The change has
been brought about by the repeal by
Pope Pious of that portion of the de-
cree Ne Temere,' and the repeal be-
comes effective at once.
"'Ne Tefnere' was a decree issued
by Pope Pious himself at Easter,
1908. It Obliged every Protestant
wishing to marry member of the
Catholic faith to sign an antenuptial
promise that he or she would refrain
from interfering with the Catholic
in the exercise of his or her religious
duties. Further, the non- Catholic
was required to pledge himself or
herself to have all the children re-
sulting from the marriage baptised
Catholics, and TO have them edu-
Gated in Catholic schools. The de-
cree required that these promises pc
made and signed before the priest
who was to perform the marriage
ceremony In cases where nom
Catholic persons refused to SO obi
gate themselves, no priest was al
lowed to marry them, under punish
ment IF being suspended himself. If
the couple went to a Protestant min
lister and were married, the Catholic
party to the marriage was excommu
nicated.
According to the instructions
said to be contained in the repeal of
the Ne Temere,' non Catholic
party will be asked to sign the ante
nuptial promises, as was previously
- the custom. Should he or she re-
fuse to SO obligate himself or her
self, the priest may perform the
marriage notwithst lnding tn. re-
fusaI''
This startling news, indicative of
an amazing backdown by the Roman
Church in Difference to an over
whelming public opinion in Europe
and this country, soon became the
theme of general discussion in re-
ligious circles, Protestant as well as
Catholic. Rev. D. S. Phelan, a prom
inent Romanist cleric, is quoted as
saying on this point that, by the re-
fusal to sign this pledge, families
have been estranged and no end of
enmity and discord has been en-
gendered. He added:
pope Pius's action in this repeal
is sure to create a stir in Catholic
circles throughout the country.
Protestants marrying Catholics have
always regarded the enforced sign
ing of the ante-nuptial promises as
a hardship and an unnecessary hui
initiation. The Court of Appeals Of
st. Louis recently decided that the
promises had no legal force. The
H. -s-;v, se N1I Low