r 9-cyv DIOCESE OF CINCINNATI. MEMORANDUM OF SOME DIRECTIONS GIVEN TO THE REV. CLERGY OF THE DIOCESE, AT THE ). CLOSE OF THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES, October 9th and 16th 1880. NOW DIRECTED TO ALL THE CLERGY SECULAR AND REGULAR ENGAGED IN THE -SACRED MINISTRY IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CINCINNATI. Catholic Telegraph Print. 1880. P\ a _ 1 ' DIOCESE OF CINCINNATI MEMORANDUM OF SOME DIRECTIONS GIVEN TO THE REV. CLERGY OF THE DIOCESE, AT THE CLOSE OF THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES, October 9th and 16th 1880. NOW DIRECTED TO ALL THE CLERGY SECULAR AND REGULAR ENGAGED IN THE SACRED MINISTRY IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CINCINNATI. Catholic Telegraph Print. 1880. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Alternates https://archive.org/details/memorandumofsomeOOcath &tr1> mu A s religion progresses, we must strive to conform more nearly to the ordinary methods of the Church in her care of souls- Your Venerable Archbishop, after forty-seven years of de¬ voted toil, having cultivated the thinly scattered Missions of Ohio, into three populous dioceses, well.supplied with Clergy, and with Institutions of religion, charity and education, earnestly desires to see his Archdiocese of Cincinnati make new steps towards per¬ fecting its organization. DIVISION OF PARISHES. It will contribute a great deal to make your labors more efficient, and satisfactory to yourselves and your congregations, to establish the division of parishes ; and observe more closely the relations of each Pastor to his own flock. It was not practicable while the congregations were only forming : but the time is come, when it is useful and even necessary to make this division. Therefore, although each Priest has faculties for all the diocese, yet it is directed, that henceforth each one must avoid interfer¬ ing with persons, and places belonging to another Pastor’s juris¬ diction in those things which in canonical Parishes pertain to the Parish Priest. Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion, Marriage, Extreme Unction, Holy Viaticum and Burial are the chief matters that must be subject to the Pastor of the Congregation. Consequently, in all these, every Priest, before acting, must ascertain whether the person concerned is under his charge ; and if not, the party must be referred to his or her own Pastor. Since in the beginning, the lines in some places may not be very precisely drawn ; each one must, in cases of doubt, use his prudent discretion : so as on the one hand not to cause disorder ; and on the other, not to leave persons deprived of the helps of re¬ ligion. Pastors must exercise courtesy and forbearance towards each other ; and try to work harmoniously. In the City of Cincinnati, where churches have been multi- x plied so much, many persons have continued attached to the one 4 they first attended, although another one has been built much nearer to them. In consideration of this and other circumstances, with the advice of the most experienced Pastors, it is ordered for the present time, that persons and families who now hold seats in any church, may continue to be subjects of the Pastor of that church — even though they reside in another parochial district. If, however, they give up their seat in that church they become subject to the Pastor of the Congregation in which they live — they can not choose another one. To establish the lines, adjoining Pastors are requested to pro¬ ceed without further notice to confer with each other concerning their respective limits ; and report on or before the 15th of January to the Coadjutor for his consideration and decision. If in some urgent case, the Priest judges conscientiously that charity requires him to act in regard to persons who are not under his charge, he must as soon as possible inform the proper Pastor of what he has done, and of his reasons for it. Of course, any Pastor may authorize persons ot his charge to apply to another Priest; and this should always be done in writing. If parties to be married belong to two different congregations : they may choose either of their Pastors to perform the ceremony. Since confession may be made to any authorized Priest, if one is called especially to a sick person not of his own congrega¬ tion, charity should prompt him to go if possible. But even then, Viaticum or Extreme Unction should be administered by the Pastor of the person : unless the urgency of the case, or the con¬ venience of both Priests should induce the confessor to administer ; in which case the Pastor should be informed as above. It follows, that no Priest must admit a child belonging to an¬ other congregation to First Communion or Confirmation, with¬ out the approval of the child’s Pastor. In Boarding Schools, the Priest in charge of the Institution holds the place of Pastor over the pupils. Each one is free to attend any Catholic Church he may wish ; to hold a pew or seat therein ; and to receive there the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion : provided he holds a seat likewise in his own Pastoral Church ; and contributes his fair portion to the support of it. Persons living out at service belong to the church of the district in which they lodge at night. - 5 - ASSISTANT PRIESTS. An Assistant Priest, as his title indicates, is to assist the Priest in whatever labors, for the congregation, or for the missions, the Pastor may assign to him. There must of course be reciprocal regard ; great respect for the sacred character of a Priest of God — which belongs equally to each of them ; and great mutual good will be derived by working together in a brotherly spirit for the good of souls. The Pastor ought not to trammel the usefulness of the Assistant by unwise restrictions ; and the Assistant must not injure the good order of the congregation, by engaging in any works of religion or charity without the approval of the Pastor. In all questions between them, the Pastor’s authority must prevail, until otherwise directed by the Bishop. In regard to marriages, the jurisdiction and the responsibility pertain to the Pastor. He is to judge how far it is expedient to reserve them to himself, and how far to delegate them to his Assistant. The determination of their salaries and their financial lelations to each other are to be observed as already established. PRIESTLY DEPORTMENT. With regard to Priestly conduct the regulations already made must be carefully observed : and especially must Priests take care not to go into public drinking houses, nor to public bars or other places in which — though not necessarily sinful — their presence would give pain to good Catholics, and furnish the enemies of religion with ground for reproach. Priests must rise in time to make proper spiritual preparation before Mass. Ordinarily they must have hours fixed for celebrating Mass both on Sundays and week days. They should be vested and be ready to begin exactly at the hour named. A delay of two or three minutes is very disagreeable for persons waiting in church and having duties expecting them at home ; as it would be very dis¬ agreeable to the Priest himself, if he were kept that long at the Altar waiting for the server. A Priest should always make a thanksgiving after Mass, of at least fifteen minutes ; and either before or after Mass, make a meditation of half an hour. It is much to be lamented that too many of the people go 6 away after Holy Communion without making a thanksgiving. — The Priest’s fidelity to that duty, will be his best means to make them fulfil it. MARRIAGE. A great many of the most deplorable evils of the day, arise from the neglect of God’s laws concerning the Sacrament of Matrimony. Do all you can to have your people understand the holiness of marriage, the obligations of the married life, and the means God has furnished to strengthen the married couple, for the ful¬ filment of their duties; the means particularly of frequent use of Confession and Holy Communion. Instruct them also that persons intending to enter the married state, should be guided by the fear and the love of God, and by the interest of their souls : both in the choice of their future consort, and in all their conduct during the time that precedes their marriage. God has instituted marriage to be a great source of happiness in this world and the next. But it is God alone Who can give that happiness; hence they who wish to enjoy it must take care not to go against God’s will, and above all, not to bring down His anger instead of His blessing upon their union. Let them during the time of their acquaintance encourage each other in the practice of all virtues, especially modesty of behavior; and purity, both of body and mind. This will give them a solid esteem for each other, and a mutual confidence ; and it will furnish a well grounded hope of being to each other a true sup¬ port and comfort under the burdens and trials of life. Instruct your flocks on the most common impediments to Matrimony. Expose to them particularly the evils too often arising from a Catholic’s marrying a person who is not a Catholic. Tell them how easily a Non-Catholic may seek and obtain a divorce, and believe himself free to marry again; while the Catholic party knows that a new marriage would bring down God’s anger. Tell them of the difficulties of practising their religion in a mixed marriage; and of bringing up children to practise and love their religion, while they see one of their parents regarding it as unnecessary—perhaps as superstitious These and other serious inconveniences set before your people, clearly and strongly,—though in charitable language,— not to give unnecessary offence. 7 For those who are already engaged in such marriages,, en¬ courage them to meet the difficulties of their position by using the graces which God will not refuse to their prayers; by great fidelity in discharging all their duties to God and to their family; by affection, devotedness and good example to the Non- Catholic husband or wife, and by great care for the spiritual well-being of their children. The Banns of Matrimony must be published at the principal Mass, on three Sundays or Holidays of Obligation: and if the parties belong to different congregations, the publications must be made in both churches. The Priest performing a marriage in which either party belongs to another congregation, must have a writing from the Pastor, testifying that the Banns have been published, or have been duly dispensed with. Dispensations, even from one publication, must he asked for through the regular channel. It rests on the conscience of the Priest to assure himself, before he asks such dispensation, that there is no impediment, which might be discovered through the publication that he wishes to omit. He must also state the reasons which appear to him to justify the dispensation. In publishing the Banns, the full names of the parties and their parents must be announced, and the places of residence or of birth. The admonition must also be given, that if any one knows of an impediment, he is bound under mortal sin to make it known in time to the Pastor. When any dispensation is needed, a Pastor ought not to engage himself to perform the marriage, before he knows that the dispensation is granted. The faculty previously given in this Diocese, continues in force: that when a dispensation is needed, and an answer can not be obtained within twenty-four hours; and on the other hand, the case does not admit delays, the Pastor may act as special delegate of the Ordinary to grant the dispensations with the obligation of sending immediately the usual application, and stating for what reason he has given the dispensation, This power is for cases of Disparitas Cultus, Mixta Re- ligio, and Publication of Banns. All applications for dispensations must be addressed to Rev Henry Moeller, D. D., at the Cathedral. And to avoid delays, in case of his absence, the letter should be marked “official.” 8 If there are two or more impediments, each one must be named distinctly. In cases of consanguinity and affinity, for marriages not already made, the Bishop has no power to dispense, except between two Catholics. If either party is not Catholic, it requires special permission from the Holy See. Neither can the Bishop dispense, if one party is of the Hebrew or Jewish religion; nor in any mixed marriage, if one party is from the States belonging of right to the Holy See, and has not changed residence permanently. If one party is not baptized, the impediment is called Dis- paritas Cultus. If one is a Non-Catholic but baptized, it is Mixtra Religio. It is well to mention explicitly whether the person is baptized,—or whether it is uncertain. State distinctly who of the parties is Catholic. Do all in your power to have the Sacrament of Matrimony celebrated at Mass. Explain to the people publicly and privately the beautiful forms and the very great blessings given at a Nup¬ tial Mass; of these the parties deprive themselves by marrying at another time. Whatever time marriage is celebrated, the Pastor must take efficient measures to hinder the church from being desecrated—as it sometimes is—by a curious crowd. If there is no other way to hinder disorder, he can keep the doors closed and admit only those whom the marriage party invite, and for whose good conduct they will be responsible. CHURCH ENTERTAINMENTS. In entertainments given for church purposes, or in any way sanctioned by the Priest, there must be no dancing after dark ; and no round-dancing at any time. P_EGISTERS. In the registers of Baptism and Matrimony, the full names of the parties and of their parents should be recorded. In that of Baptism, the mother's maiden name must be given ; and it must also be expressed whether the child is born in lawful wedlock, which is commonly done by inserting the word “conjures’’ or an equivalent. The names of persons confirmed must be registered, as also of their sponsors. The Pontifical directs that the same sponsor ought not to stand — 9 — for more than one or two persons, unless in case of necessity, to be judged of by the Bishop. CHURCH COMMITTEES OR WARDENS. It is of great benefit in various ways that the Pastor call the laity to his assistance in managing the temporal affairs of his church, by forming a Committee or Board of Church-Wardens, who will attend to the collecting and preserving of the church moneys. The most common method of choosing them, and the one to be followed, unless otherwise authorized by the Bishop, is this :— ist—To call a meeting of the pew-holders who have fulfilled the precept of Easter Communion for the last year, that they may choose a Committee of three or five to nominate Candidates. This Nominating Committee shall consult with the Pastor, and select Candidates whom he does not object to—twice as many Candidates as there are Wardens to be elected. 2nd—At another meeting of the pew-holders, these Candidates shall be proposed, and the proper number elected by ballot. No one can vote, nor can serve as Warden, unless he is a seat-holder, and has fulfilled his obligation of Easter Communion for the last year. These Wardens shall choose among themselves a Treasurer, who shall give good bond for at least twice the amount of money he may be likely to have charge of. This Board shall collect and lay out all moneys of the congregation. And no money shall be disposed of without the consent both of the Pastor and of a majority of the Wardens. The number of Wardens must be not less than two nor more than six. The Pastor is ex-officio President of the Board, and he alone has a right to call meetings. The Treasurer’s books must be always open to the inspection of the Bishop, the Pastor, and of the Wardens. Every six months a statement of the finances must be made to the congregation ; and an annual statement must be sent to the Bishop, on or before the 15th January. All that is laid down in the Statutes of the Diocese, and in the Archbishop’s Letter of September 8th, 1865, concerning the relations of the Pastor and the Church Board, must be observed ; especially concerning the Pastor’s exclusive right to appoint Teacher, Organist, Sexton, &c. — lo¬ in case of any difference between the Pastor and the Board, it must be referred to the Archbishop or the Administrator of the Diocese, and his decision shall be final. No money must be borrowed, to be loaned out again at inter¬ est. All debts must be paid as soon as possible ; and if there is a surplus, it must be invested in bonds, or other securities approved both by the Pastor and the Wardens. PACTUM MARIANUN. In the Pactum Marianun, or Association for offering three Masses for the soul of each member who dies, there will, hereafter, be a further obligation of offering one Mass every year for all the members living or dead.