The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-20

he a short one, as all previous legisla-
ton concerning the cOnclave was codi-
fed and renewed By the late Pope in
the second year of his pontihcate de-
,embcr 25. 1900 by the constitution
"vacante Sedc Apostolica." in which
the most minute precautions are taken
IL secure a free and rapid election.
The Constitution ON the Vacancy OF
the Apostolic See and the Election OF
The Roman pontiff" is divided Into two
parts, or tltuli the first subdlvded into
FIVE chapters and the second Into seven,
preceded by preamble In which the
reasons for its publication are clearly
explained
when the Apostolic See Is vacant"
Plus X writes in the preamble. there
arises the most grave and sacred task
" electing the supreme pastor and
head of the flock " the Lord for the
provident and sollcitous government OF
the Catholic Church. who succeeding to
he place Of the Blessed Peter is to take
ne place OF Jesus Christ on earth.
-rhe Roman Pont,ffs. our predecessors,
understanding this, have In all ages de-
voted watchful care and constant
thought to insure that the method and
order observed In the election should
he such as to respond most fitly and
suitably to the gravity 81 the matter
Hence n great many laws on the sub
iect corresponding with the different
times and circumstances have been
most wisely issued by them to provide
for the due legitimate and expeditions
fuhlment Of the office. But Il has hap
pened that with the lapse ~ time these
laws drawn M and promulgated con-
corning the election OF the Roman Pom
TN have gradually grown very numer-
Gus and varied and that some Of them
have become obsolete. owing To changes
Of time and customs. so that It is now
matter Of no small difficulty 10 dis
cover what are the things to be OBJ
served in the election OF the supreme
pastor.
I'VE therefore desiring to obviate this
Inconvenience deem II timely to sum
up In one constitution all that has be--
decreed nv our predecessors concerning
the election Of the Roman PontiN; in
their integrity as far as possible. re-
tanning the regulations embodied in
previous constitutions and even the
words although these do not always
lend themselves to uniformity Of styla
sanctioned by venerable custom. but at
the same time with the Introduction of
some changes which we regard as suit
able Wherefore having long and
Inaturelv weighed the matter with GER
tain knowledge and Of our own motion
In the plenitude ~ our apostolic power
we decree the publication OF this con-
stitution, which Is To have force per-
petuallv for the future. which the Sa-
cred College Of Cardinals during the
vacancy Of the Apostolic See and in the
election Of the Roman Pontiff Is to use
solely, and the same we decree TO have
alone the force Of law to the abroga-
ion of the constitutions and DEGREES
AL and several issued In this matter by
the Roman Pontlrs even those promul-
gated In the general councils and In.
serted In the 'Corpus Juris.'"
The only exceptions made by Plus Y
IN abrogating previous legislation or
the conclave are two and concern his
constitution "commissum nobis" OF
January 20, 1904. abollshne the veto
and the constitution of Leo XIII. known
~ "praedecessores nostri," OF May "a
1882, which authorizes occasiona
delegations In circumstances OF d!ffi
Guilty during thu conclave. such for in
stance as the death OF the Pope away
from Rome, or an attempt to interfer,
with the liberty of the Sacred College.
Power of the Cardinals.
The first part Of the constitution
"vacante sede apostolica," deals witt
the vacancy of the Apostolic See
Chapter l. defines the power OF the Sa
cred College OF Cardinals after tn,
Pope's death. The College OF Cardinal.
has no power or Jurisdiction what
ever" In those things which belonged
10 the Pope during his life, hence IL Il
precluded from doing grace or justice
or putting into execution what haC
been left undone by the deceased Pope
The Cardinals cannot dispose of thu
rights ~ the Apostolic See and Of thu
Roman Church, which on the contrar,
they must guard and defend with al
their strength. They cannot in any wa!
correct or change any laws made b,
the Roman Pontiffs, and especially tn
present constitution, as well as simila
ones, regulating the election OF tn
Pope. In cases OF doubt the Cardinals
however. are exceptionally allowed I,
interpret the meaning ~ this const!tu
ton, but they must provide a suitable
solution by a majority vote.
During the vacancy of the See tn
Cardinals are to hold two kinds of con
grcgatlons, the first general" consist
Ing OF the whole college, and the secon,
special" consisting of the three senlo
Cardinals from each order. namely
bishops, priests and deacons.
Matters Of moment and OF great i'm
portance and consideration are to ~
laid before the general congregation o
Cardinals, which decides by a plurait,
of votes, not orally, but by secret bal
lot. The Cardinals are to hold genera
congregations every day after the deaf,
Of the Pope until they enter the con
clave. and the object OF these so-calle
'prc Saratory general congregations" I
fer the Cardinal chamberlain TO asccr
tain the mind Of the Sacred College an
10 communicate to II such things as n
may deem necessary and opportune.
During these congregations the presen
constitution is 10 be read 10 the assem-
Dled Cardinals as well as those relatin
o. the conclave which have not bee
hrogated. The Cardinal deacon the
er''"rs pref7ct OF ceremonies to rea
ii"ud the prescribed formula OF oat
Hnd each Cardinal is 10 repeat the forr