To till up the time intervening before the twenty- fourth session, the sid)jects of indulgences, purgatory, and the worshi|i of saints and images were introduced for di.scussion, in order that decrees on these matters might be prepared for presentation in the twenty-fifth session.
Settsicm XX I V (Nov. 11, 15(53). — In this session the decree of doctrine and the canons relating to the sacra- ment of marriage were read.
After establishinir the indissolubility of the marriage tie by Holy Scripture, it adds that Je^ns Christ, by his passion, merited the grace necessary to confirm and sanc- tify the union belwi.vt man and wife. Tliat the apostle means US to nndeist.and this when he says, "Husbands, love your wives, as Jesus Christ loved the Church;" and, shortly after, "This sacrament is great : I speak of Jesns ('hrist and tlie Chinch." Marriage, under the Gospel, is declared to he a more excellent state than that of mar- riase inider the former dispensation, on account of the grace conferred by it, and that, accordingly, the holy fa-'
TRENT, COUNCIL OF
541 TRENT, COUNCIL OF
thevp, councils, and nniversal trndition ri>rlitly teach ns to reckon maniage among the sacraments of the new hiw.
There are twelve canons, with anathemas, upon the subject.
1. Anathematizes those who maintain that marriage is not a true sacrament.
2. Anatlienia'ti/.es those who maintain that polygamy is permitted to Christians.
3. Analhemaiizes those who maintain that marriage is unlawful only within the degrees specitied in Leviticus.
4. Anathematizes those who deny that the Clinrch has I)ower to add to the impediments to marriage.
5. Anathematizes those who maintain that i he marriage tie is hrokcn by heresy, ill-conduct, or voluntary absence on either side.
6. Anathematizes those who deny that a marriage con- tiacted, but not consummated, is annulled by either of the parties taking the religions vows.
7. Anathematizes those who maintain that the Church errs in holding that the marriage tie is not broken by adultery.
S. Anathematizes those who maintain that the Church errs in separating married persons for a time in particnhir cases.
9. Anathematizes those who maintain that men in holy orders, or persons who have taken the religious vow, may marry.
10. Anathematizes those who maintain that the mar- ried state is preferable to ihat of virginity.
11. Anathematizes thi:se who mainiaiii that it is super- stitions to forbid marriages at certain seasons.
12. Anathematizes tho>e who maintain that the cogni- zance of matrimonial causes does not belong to the ec- clesiastical authorities.
After this a decree of reformation was published relat- ing to the same sacrament, containing tea chapters.
1. Forbids clandestine marriages; orders curates to publish the names of the parties abont to contract mar- riage on three conseiurive festivals in church during the solemn mass; orders that two or three witnesses be pres- ent at the marriage, and declares all marriages to be null whicli are not solemnized in the presence of the clergy- man of the parish, or of some other priest, having his per- mission or that of the ordinary.
2. Treats of the impediments to marriage, which were in some res))ects relaxed, i. e. the impediiaents to mar- riage between a godparent and godchihl and the parents of the godchild was removed: also that between the per- son adluinistering baptism and the person baptized, or his or her parents.
3 and 4. Also refer to the relaxation of the impedi- meurs.
5. Those who wilfully contract marriage within the prohibited degrees are sentenced to be separated without any hope of obtaining a dispensation.
6. No marriage to be allowed between a ravisher and the woman ravished while she remiuns in his power; if, however, when at liberty, she consents, they may be mar- ried— the ravisher, and all aiding aud abetting, to be nevertheless excommunicated.
7. Care to be used in permitting wanderers to receive the sacrament of marriage.
8. Fornicators, whether married or siiirrle, to be ex- communicated, unless they will put away their mistresses after three monitions. The women, after three monitions, to be driven out of the diocese uriless they obey.
0. Forbids all masters, magistrates, etc., under anath- ema, to compel those under their control to marry against their own inclinations.
10. Contirms the ancient prohibitions to celebrate mar- riages between Advent and Epiphany, and between Ash- Wednesday and the octave of Easter.
After this a decree, containing twenty-one articles, upon the reform of the clergy was read, setting forth the duty of bishops to visit their dioceses; to preach in person or by deputy ; relating to dispensations, sacraments, visita- tions, pluralities, etc.
,SV.s-,<zV(« A'.V V and last (Dec. 3 and 4, 1.563). — At this session the decrees concerning purgatorv, the invoca- tion of saints, and the worship of images and relics were read.
1. Of P(H-(;a<or?/.— Declares that the Catholic Church, f( il- lowing Holy Scripture and tradition, has always tansrht, and still teaches, that there is a purgatory, and that the souls which are detained there are assisted by the snt- fra<res of the faithful and by the sacritice of "the mass. Orders all bishops to teach, and to cause to be taught, the true doctrine on this subject.
2. Of the A?n'o(;((fyr)?i o/,S'amte. — Orders bishops and oth- ers concerned in the teaching of the peo])le to instruct them concerning the invocation of saints, the honnr due to their relics, and the lawful use of images, according to