Year: 1866

principles which she cannot accep without depart
ine from her practice from tue beGnning, as soon
tt ey are the expression Of dlsuust OF ecclesias-
ucal poweIi as such, and are the fruits OF the mis-
representations which have been made Of the acnon
OF the Church in past ages AS we'll might the
evil power prescribe to her the doctrines she s to
God, as 10 impose on her a systemIof holding her
tenn 0raties which is alien to her principles and
which is borrowed from those who have rejected
her authority. Instead Of seeking TO dlsprove the
various reasons alleged for this DENIAL OF toe
Church's rights in some of the States, we content
ourselves with the formal protest we hereby enter
against It, aud triehy remark that even on the
supposition, which we by no means admit. that such
denial was the result Of legitimate motives, the
denial itself is incompatible with the full measure
OF eco esiastica on religious liberty which we are


Nor is this an unimportant matter. or one which
has not practical results of the embarrassing
character Not only ere we Obliged to place church
property IN conditions OF extreme hazard, because
not permitted to manage our church temporalities
on Catholic pnncIplesj but in al least one of these
which all church property not old bv corporations
is subjected to taxation; and the avowed object Of
this discriminating legislation is hostility 70 the
Catholic Church. In concluding these remarks we
merely refer to the attempt made in that State to
makee the exercise of the ecclesiastical ministry
.epena on cOnoi'ion iaie down oy theei power;


THE SACRAMENT OF MArR1MoSY.


To that sacrament Of the Church which is highest
in its typical signlfcationthe saci ament of atr-
mony-we feel it our duty to direct in particuar
manner your attention. From the b ginning, as we
learn from 81. Paul the union OF man and woman
was great mystery or sacrament because, from tae
beginning 1t prefgured the union OF Christ with h
Church. In nohlnR perhaps, is the influence OF the
Church than in the care with which she has pro.
tected this "great sacrament" which by so many,
aRreeably 10 what st. Paul had foretOld, was stig.
matized as unlawful, while by others it was ur.
duly exalted above sacred virginity, contrary to
Apostle. The holiness of Christian matrimony Is
connected with our most sacred associations and
duties; and 1t cannot be lost sight of in however
consequences. The Church has SHOWN in refer
enee to this subject spirit of watchfulness and
solicltude which alone would enlle her to the
gratitude of man, and cause her TO be regarded as
the most faithful guardian of public and private
which she was compelled to engage with the deposi a.
tares OF the Civil Power, during the middle ages
were in defense OF the stability and sanctty of the
marriage ue al d, at la er PERIOD she preferred to
see England torn from her side, rather than Weld
compliance with the will of monarch who sacr
feed his countrys faith to his unbrided PASSIONS
In this matterlshe knew no distinction between the
private man and the monarch; contrary to what an
deeds Of this unhappy fuller insists should have
been her line of conduct. Even in our O wn days
her conservative authority has been exerted in the
same cause; and the anger of the first Napoleon
was incurred by the refusal of Plus VII, Of holv
memory 70 declare pyalid marriage contracted
between that rulers brother and Protestant lady
OF the CITY in which we a;e pqM Hrst faitb.
he was obliged to have recourse to extinct tri-
buna of the diocese OF Paris-resuscitated for tha6
tion which the wisdom Of the Holy See has reserved
for its own exclusive jurisdiction. aC a.l-


We recall these Iacts, because they most strongly
express the principle of the Church in regard to
matrlmony,and must be regarded by every well.
regulated mind as among the brightest jewels of
her crown. We recall them, also, In order to en-
force our solemn admonition 10 our focks, to give
ear to the false and degrading theories the
by the enemies ofthe Church According to these
theories, marriage Is mere civil contract, which
puIed mi Of G party may release h%sef OF
herself by the remedy oil divorce SO as 10 be able
lawfully 10 contract new engagements, THIS is in
evident contradiction with the words of Christi
''What God has joined together let no man put
asunder." AS the guardian OF Gods holy Law, the
Church condemns this false theory, from which
to the unitv and stability q Christian marriage than
of ChIistendom, is found within our borders. No
State law can authorize divorce so as to permit the
every such new engagement, contracted during the
JOINT lives Of the parties so divorced involves the
daIous multiplication Of these unlawful separations ara
which, more than any cther cause, are sapping the
foundations Of morally and d preparing society for
bond which unites the married couple prove SO
instances, to the neglect and disregard OF the
Churchs laws in reference to this subject. These,
as you know, forbid marriage between persons re-
lated to each other in certain degrees OF consan.
guinity and affinity, as also between Catholics and
non.C Catholics. Whatever exceptions ion may be found
unions, they are in principe condemned by the
Church; and tnat from the most serious motives;
which in the case of consanguinity are founded in
well ascerta'ned physiological principles; in the
OF affinity, IN the danger TO which possible
unions may place parties who are necessarily
brought into f1aerna re atons; and in the case of
mixed marriages to the danger of perversion, to
which the Catholic party and the offspring OF such
marriages are exposed.


But something more than the observance of these
laws Of the Church in relation to marriage is re
qrired in order that Christians should discharge
their entire duty when about to enter the conjugal
state Its sacred character, and the OBLIGATIONS to-
wards Gods society which 1t imp0seJ should always
be kept in mind. Purity Of life and affection that has
better and more lasting grounds than the impulse of
passion the only proper dispostiOns for entering
upon state OF life which death alone can change
and which involves so many important conseq
for time and eternity.


who, asks Tertulhan, can express the happiness
OF that marriage which the Church approves, which
sacrifice (the massl confirms, and which bessing
seaIs-anRes announce IL, and the Father ratihes? =


Bearing IN mind the sanchty Of marriage and the
time-honored usages of the Church in the admits.
traton of the sacrament, we cannot too strongly
urge upon you the importance of contracting Il
before the altar of God, and with the Marriage
Mass so as to receive that especial blessing which
carries with Ii so many graces, TO enable those who
enter upon this holy state to fulfil its most import
, ant duties.


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