The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-06-17
CLERICAL GARB IN CANADA
ROMAN DECREE EGULATES
STREET GARR OF cLERGYMEN
IN THE DOMINION OF CANADA.

I'm TIE DOmiNlON VT AANADAs
A decree of the Sacred Consistorial
Congregation bearing on the question
of the proper garb for priests in Can
ada is published in the current "Acta
Apostolicae Sedis:'' We append a
translation of it: SO
by the PIenary Council of Quebec
two kinds of clerical garbs were recog-
nized: one reaching to the ankles,
which is proper to clerics, and is or
dered by common law to g used,
especially during sacred functions; the
other, which, black in color, extend
ing to the knees, was, with the addi-
ton of the Roman collar, admitted by
the Fathers of Quebec for civil use
and is recognized by all in those parts
as suitable for clerics. 1t was added
that the custom of the locality should
be preserved in the use of these gar
ments.
'But since at present certain doubts
and discussions have arisen about the
second rule, it is necessary to lay
down some things that may serve for
correct Interpretation of the law and
preserve peace.
"The Sacred Council of Trent sane
toned the following in regard to eccle-
siastical garments, particularly for
civil use: Though the habit does
not make the monk, still it is neces-
sary for clerics always to wear gar
ments in keeping with their rank, SO
that by the decency of their exterior
they may make manifest the honest
interior character of their morals.
But today so great has become the
rashness Of some, and such the con-
tempt for religion, that making little
of their own dignity and honor as
clerics, they even publicly wear lay
clothes, thus holding a position in
different camps, with one foot on the
side of divine and the other on the
side of carnal things. Therefore all
ecclesiastical persons, however eX-
empt, who are in Holy Orders, or who
have obtained dignities, position,
Office, or any sort of ecclesiastical
benefces, if after they have been adj
monished by their Bishop, even by
public edict, they do not wear the
proper clerical garb, becoming their
rank and dignity and according to the
direction and mandate of the Bishop,
may and should be constrained by
suspension from Orders, Office and
benefce, and from the fruits, revenues,
and results of the benefces; and if
once corrected, they again fail in this,
they are to be deprived of such Offices
and benetices, thus renewing and
simplifying the Constitution of Clement
V issued at the Council of Vienna,
which begins Quoniam.'
Therefore it is the proper and
natural right of the Ordinary to estab-
1ish, within the limits laid down by
the Sacred Council of Trent, the mode
and form of the clerical garb, each
for his own diocese. This right the
Fathers of Quebec wisely availed of
when they approved of and decided
for two kinds of garments for the
entire Dominion of Canada. ' ftsa' .
"The other orders of the Council
regarding the use of either garb, that
is to say, that the custom which is
actually in vogue in a place must be
preserved, as everyone easily under
stands, it is not, and cannot be, abso-
lutte and perpetual, but of its nature
conditional and transitory. Customs
are naturally liable to changes in the
lapse of time and owing to new
circumstances that may supervene.
When this happens, it is eXpedient
that the garb, of whatever kind it may
be, should be conformed to the new
conditions, provided it be always
ecclesiastical.
"But it cannot be supposed that the
Council wished in this matter-in it.
self of little moment and of a passing
nature-tO take away or to cirCum-
scribe the natural right of Ordinaries:
for this would be neither prudent nor
wise.
"These things considered, this
Sacred Congregation, in conformity
with the letters of May 5, 1914,
decided: l.. The custom obtaining
in a diocese in the matter of clerical
garments must not be changed with
out cause. Nevertheless, each Or
binary has fitting liberty to change
it, after taking vote of the Chapter
or Diocesan Consultors, if new times
and conditions so suggest, and he will
give an account of his action to God
and the Apostolic See. 2. A cleric
going from his own to another diocese
can there retain the garb worn i'll his
own diocese, although it is different
to that prescribed in the place, pro-
vided it is one of the two approved
of by the Quebec Fathers; and this as
long as he does not acquire a domiclle
or quasi-domicile there. 3. As in the
law of fast and abstinence and III
similar cases, it is lawful for sojourn-
ers to follow the custom of a place,
SO likewise it is right for each cleric
to conform himself to the customs of
the place to which he changes, without
being liable on this account to rebuke
or punishment from his Ordinary.
Our Most Holy Lord Benedict XIV
ratified and approved of this resolu-
ton of the Eminent Fathers, and or
dered it to become part of public law,
so that it may be properly observed
by all whom it concerns, all things to
the contrary notwithstanding.
&C. Cardinal De Lai, Bishop OF
Sabina, Secretary.