MIXED MARRIAGES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1019, 7 January 1911, Page 5

MIXED MARRIAGES.

EFFECT OF DECREE IN IRELAND. PROTESTANTS IN PROTEST. (By Telegraph—Prcs3 Association Copyright) (Roc. January 6, 10.25 p.m.) London, January 6. Six thousand Protestants at Belfast liavo hold a demonstration against tho Papal decree against mixed marriages. Tho Moderator of tho General Assembly presided, and said he did not object to tho Church of Romo legislating in its own sphere and for tho guidance of its own members, 'but ho strenuously protested against tho Pa-, pacy imposing laws on Protestants. The meeting resolved that the decree in a community like that of Ireland would increase tho cleavage between Protestants and Catholics.

The' Irish ,Unionist members of tho House of Commons wero requested to move an amendment to this effect to tho Addre'ss-in-Reply at the opening of Parliament. '

The "Catholic Directory" states:— "In .consequeuco. ot' the Papal Decree 'Ne temere' of August 2,1807, which camo into force at Easter, 190S, marriages between. Catholics, or between Catholics and non-Catholics, must bo celebrated beforoa Bishop or priest duly- authorised for the celebration thereof. Such marriages, if they aro not so celebrated, are indeed, for all the civil effects and purposes of marriage, valid and binding legal contracts under the civil law, if the conditions, and requirements of the . civil marriage-law aro fulfilled; hut they are null and void' before God, and tho parties are liot, iii tho sight of God, husband and wife.

"A 'mixed marriage' (that is, a marriago between a Catholic and one who, though baptised, does not profess the Catholic faith) may not take place without a dispensation; and tlio dispensation cannot lawfully be given unless for a sufficiently grave reason, and subject to the following conditions: 1. That all children that may be born of the marriage shall be baptised, and brought up, in tho Catholic faith. 2: That tho Catholic party shall have full liberty for tho practice of tjio Catholic religion/ 3. That the Cath.olic party shall, endeavour, especially by prayer and- the example of a {rood life, to convert; tho other to the Catholic faith;.' 4. "That, no religious marriage ceremony'shall take place except in tho Catholic'' Church."