THE PAPAL MARRIAGE DECREE.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14093, 12 July 1911, Page 6

THE PAPAL MARRIAGE DECREE.

»■ - MOTION FOR THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY. (SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") WELLINGTON, July 11. The Papal No Temere decree was discussed in committee at the Wellington Presbytery to-day. The Rev. Dr. Gibl gave notice of motion of an overture to the general assembly as follows:— " Whereas tho Nβ Temere decree ol the Roman Catholic Church demands for' the validation of a marriago t>etween Roman Catholic nnd non-Roman Catholic subjects of this Dominion, the presence of a Roman Catholic priest, and in the absence of a priest declares this marriage null and void; " And whereas the decree thereby unwarrantably interferes with tho propel liberty of certain subjects of this Dominion who are declared incapable oJ contracting a valid marriage . withoivt the presence of a Roman Catholic priest; > "And whereas the decree exalts the variable regulations of, a particular ecclesiastical discipline to a level with the unchangeable moral law of God in . determining what marriages arc valid: and whereas this decree is contrary tc public policy, and is inimical to domestic peace and social welfare; " (a) In that it subjects non-Roman Catholic rarties to marriage contracts sanctioned by civil law, and ngainsi which no divine law is or can b£ alleged, along with their Roman Catholic partners in the marriages, to'the scandalous imputation of concubinage, so that their children are not born in true wedlock; "And (b) That it invites Roman Catholic partners in such marriages tc repudiate the obligations resting u u lawfully married persons. "It is hereby overtured to the general assembly meeting in Dunedin in November next to take the premises into, due consideration, and to issue a mani£«*to ,setting forth tho mind of the Church regarding this intolerable invasion of tho civil and religious rights of the people, and to take such further "it I*'1*' A. lble > in co-operation ivith other Churches as shall exposo the machinations of the Papacy, and pui the people on their guard against the subtle encroachment of the Roman L-nurch on the liberties of the nation."