THE PAPAL DECREE.

Mataura Ensign, 28 December 1911, Page 5

THE PAPAL DECREE.

AN EXPLANATION. «V RLECTP.IC TKLKGItA.CH. COCTHIUIII i'KK UNITED I'JtESS ASSOCIATION. Received December 28, 9.55 a.m. LONDON, Dec. '27. A Rome correspondent states that tlu 'decree mentioned yesterday applies exclusively to the few countries where the clerical privilegium has not fallen into desuetude. Presumably Ireland is not included. The cable stated: A correspondent of 'The Times' states, in reference to the Papal decree prohibiting Catholics from | suing the clergy in the State courts, that transgression of the decree involves sentence of excommunication, as already pronounced, but adds that absolution from excommunication is specially reserved to the Pope. The decree similarly penalises those enacting laws or decrees against the liberty or right:; of the Church. Thus every'member of Parliament legislating and every executive officer promulgating such laws comes within the scope of the decree. The Nationalists already realise the possibilities of the decree as an instrument of battle against Home Rule. The correspondent adds that for the second time within a feiv years the Church lias dealt tlie cause of separation heavy blows.