The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-06-12
N. Y. PRIESTS TELL
OF BAN ON DANCING
Catholics, Interested in New
Church Stand, Crowd to
Hear Decree.
TAKES EFFECT AT ONCE

A. every mass in ths Roman Catholic
churches throughout the city yesterday
mention was made concerning the ban
that has been placed on dancing In this
country and Canada by Pope Benedict
XIV.
Roman Catholics. who have been
greatly interested since III promulga-
ton OF tho decree BY the Sacred Con-
slstortAi Congregation in Rome. nlled
every church in the diocese at every
masa
The ban on dancing was offcially
brought to tho attention OF tho pastors
whom the following letter was sent out
hy Mgr. John J. Dunn. chancellor OF the
archdiocese. with instructions from Car
dinal Farley that the contents be told to
the congregations yesterday:
REV. AND DEAR FATHER: Ills Emf
hence the Cardinal Archbishop d.
reefs me TO notify you that, pursuant
To a decree OF the Sacred Congrega-
ton OF the Consistory, dated March 81.
ne hereby forbids under severe pen
alty all dancing at church entertain
ments. whether arranged Tor already
or planned for the future Later his
Eminence will send a circular on the
subject to the reverend PASTORS.
Letter From Cardinal Awaited.
Although Il was expected that a letter
ar the subject from Cardinal Farley
would Re read in the churches. II could
rot he learned definitely whether or not
such a letter had been issued by the
Cardinal.
No other decree issued from Rome has
caused 20 much discussion. In view OF
the fact that the ban becomes effective
Immediately many of the parishes whlch
depend upon an annual ball to help de-
fray parochial expenses will have TO ma
a substitute for dancing.
The decree that has stirred such wide
interest was published In the current Is
sue Of the Actd Apostoficde Sedfs. the
official publication OF the vatican. ~
runs thus: $780,,
"yn the last century In the United
States the custom sprung up or gather
ing Catholic families to balls which used
IN he protracted to n late hour at night
nv entertainments and other forms or
amusement. The reason and cause given
for this was that Catholics might get 10
know each other and become more ihti-
mate,v united in the bonds OF love and
charity. They who were used to preside
over the gatherings were generally the
hos ds Of some pious work. not rarely the
rectors or the parish priests Of churches.
But the ordinaries Of the places. al
though they entertained no douht OF the
upright purpose Of those who promoted
these dances. still. looking At the perils
and losses caused hv the Gus
tom, considered II their duty to forbid
them: and therefore in canon @'o OF the
Third Plenary Council of Baltimore they
laid down as follows: we order also
A.. ,-,n.ta Mill fnLa caro- IN remove en-
t,rely that abuse III which entertainments
and balls are held for the purpose of
promoting pious projects
Order Fell Into oblivion.
''Rut, as often happens in human
things. what was very wisely and Justly
ordered In the beginning gradually COM
menced to fall into oblivion. and the use
~ balls again fourished and even spread
Into the neighboring Dominion of Can
ada
knowing these things the most emf
nent fathers Of the Sacred consistorial
Congregation having consulted several
ordinaries of these places. and having
aubjected the matter to deep study con-
Guided tina the decision laid down by
the III. Council Of Baltimore must he
obeyed, and with the appreciation Of our
Most Holy Father Benedict XIV, Pope.
they decreed that all priests. secular and
regular, and other clerks are absolutely
forbidden to promote or foster the said
balls. even though II in aid Of and in sup
port OF pious works. or any other pious
end: moreover. all clerks are forbidden
20 be present AT these balls If they hap
pen To be promoted by laymen.
This decree the sovereign pontif
ordered to becone "A part OF public law
md 10 religiouslv he observed nv all.
everything to the contrary notwithstand-
ing"
Cardinal O'Conne'l ~ Roston and Car
dinal Gibbons Of Baltimore rave been
Just AZ prompt as Cardinal Farley in
issuing orders to their respective clergy
that the Pope's ban on dancing must be
enforced. The American Archbishops too
have formally notified pastors of the de-
cree. Archbishop Mundelein of Chicago.
recently Of the brooklyn diocese. was
one OF the first Western prelates to en-
force tho new order. The eSiict is ex-
pected tn curtail the annual church rev.
enue by hundreds of thousands of dollars
In Chicago alone.