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Show S. CONCISTORIAL CONGREGATION. Decree on Secrecy in Nominating to Episcopal Sees in the United States of North America. The true nature of ecclesiastical discipline requires re-quires that the names of those who are proposed to the Hoi- See for bishoprics in the United States of North America by the councils of the clergy, according ac-cording to the laws in force there, should be kept entirely secret. This is demanded by the decorum of the ecclesiastical election, and the importance of the matter by reverence for the supreme judgment of the Roman Pontiff, and in justice to the candidates themselves. For when, as frequently happens, their names become known, by this very fact they are subjected sub-jected to a discussion which, according to the varying vary-ing opinions of men and newspapers, is sometimes fair, but more often unjust and unfair. This, vhile it hurts the honor of the candidates and sometimes without the possibility of easy or complete reparation, repara-tion, also constitutes an obstacle to the calm judgment judg-ment of the Holy See and to the just liberty of the election. Hence it happens that many most excellent excel-lent men strive by all means in their power to prevent pre-vent their names from being included in the lists of candidates, not only on account of a most just fear of such an important office, but also so as not to become be-come a subject of public talk and to incur abuse of various kinds. In view of this state of things a number of most Reverend Prelates of this Region as well as other very distinguished men have asked the Holy See to provide a suitable remedy. I And Our Most Holy Lord Pope Pius X, in order to ascertain' the best measures in a matter of such moment, gave orders that every bishop in the United States of America should be heard on the point. And now, with the advice of Most Eminent Fathers Fath-ers of the S. Consistorial Congregation, according to the almost unanimous opinions ofall the bishops of the region, he has decreed as follows, and ordered that these provisions be collectively observed by those whom they concern:, 1. When the consultors and parish-priests who have the right of voting for the first proposal of '-candidates, commonly called the terna, meet together, to-gether, at the beginning of the session all and single of them shall take an oath before the presiding bisiop x jo -; observe" secrecy concerning the -names which come under discussion and concerning those which are approved by the majority of votes to be submitted to the judgment of the bishops. 2. If any consultor violate the oath, which may God forbid, in addition to the other penalties to which he may become subject, he is at once to be removed from the office of consultor; if a parish priest, the penalty shall be perpetual deprivation of the right to vote. 3. The bishops are obliged to the same secrecy under grave sin; and at the beginning of the session concerned with the scrutiny of the candidates, the President shall suitably admonish them to this obligation. ob-ligation. 4. To the same secrecy, under grave sin, are bound all the officials of the Apostolic Delegation, according to the oath customarily taken by them; and those also to whom the Apostolic Delegate may address himself to obtain suitable information eon" corning the candidates; wherefore, he is bound to make known this grave obligation to anybody he questions, either orally or in writing. 5. A copy of this decree is to be kept in every episcopal curia so that it may always be a rule and guide for those whom it concerns. These presents to be valid all things whatsoever to the contrary notwithstanding. Given at Rome March 30, 1910. C. CARD. DE LAI, Secretary, S. TECCHI, Assessor. Rome. |