The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-24
NORTH ALABAMA
 DEANERY MEETS Number of Papers on Re- ligi0us Subjects Read by
 Priests Attending

The semi-annual conference of the clergy of the North Alabama Deanery met yesterday afternoon in St.. Paul's rectory.
 As the very reverend dean of the dis trict, Father Henry l. oGrady, owing to illness, is at present in the north, the Rev. Robert J. McQuillen was placed in the chair by unanimous vote. After expressing himself deeply con- scious of the high honor done him by his conf eres the very reverend acting dean called the meeting to order After prayer he asked Father Shultz to read his paper on Sacred Scripture. Father Shultz complied and those present it was said were treated to an excellent brouchure on the genuinity of the four gospels. He went into detail regard ing the events related by only one of the eyangelists. Then he explained tho results of his research regarding the similitude of the synoptic writers. These were of course" as remarked by a member of the conference, fin accord with the researches of the au- thors approved by the church, the guardian and custodian of holy writ"
 
 remarks on the recent decisions re- garding scriptural questions promul- gated in recent years by the Biblical commission appointed by the late soy- erign pontiff, Plus K
 Father OKelly read a paper on "The Future State,' prepared with much care by Father McDermott of Decatur This paper was followed with much interest by those present as Father McDermott has always written ably on dogmatic theology It is said that the paper proved clearly from scripture, from tradition and from right reason, the existence of a state of eternal pun lshment and also of state of temporal penalty. Father McDermott solved the most common objections urged by mod ernres against the everlasting exist ence of hell. Afterwards indulgences and the efficacy of prayer for the de parted were treated and the paper closed with a beautiful description of the glories prepared by Almighty God for those who during life loved and served Him.
 Father Coyle was called on to read a paper on the sacrament of marriage. He upheld the indissolubility of the marriage bond and the impossibility of obtaining divorce. He deprecated mixed marriages, but showed under what safeguards such marriages may be en-
 
 which came into effect Easter, 1908, were explained, and the paper closed with a brief explanation of the duties Of parents regarding their children, and the rights of the church and the civil power over secular and religious education.
 Father Downs, who of late years has taken a great interest in the canon law of the church, and who has made a deep study of recent ecclesiastical leg 1slation, read an essay on ecclesiastical trials, especially those regarding the removal of pastors. His paper was favorably commented on by those pres ent and the very reverend acting dean voiced the thanks of all and compli- mented Father Downs on the excel lence of his paper.
 After the papers were read there was an informal discussion on various mat ters of interest to the district. Fathers Shultz, Reilly. Downs and Canepa par ticipated in the discussion, which re- ferred among other matters to the new breviary, the new canon law, the care of the outlying missions of Ems ley and Fatheer McQuillen then led in closing prayer and the meeting ad- journed for six months.
 The following priests compose the deanery of north Alabama. The Very Rev. Robert J. McQuillen acting dean the Rev. John A. Bratton, St. Clements church, Woodlawn; the Rev. John B Canepa, St. Marks church, East Thom- as: the Rev. James E. Colye, St. Paul's church, Birmingham; the Rev. James $. Downs, chaplain St. Vincent's. hos pital, Birmingham; the Rev. Malach E. Kitrick, St. Aloysius' church, Besse- mer; the Rev. John J. O'Kelly, Oul Lady of Sorrows. Birmingham; the Rev Jerome M. Shultz, St. Augustine $ church, North Birmingham, and the Rev. Patrick Turner. Church of the Blessed Sacrament. West End. Birming- ham.