Page:Catholic Encyclopedia, volume 3.djvu/643

 CHAPLET


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CHAPLET

lains is to be derived from the parish funds, unless they possess a benefice in the church having the an- nexed obligation of assisting the parish priest. In the latter case, they are irremovable. When their faculties have been conferred by the bishop, they do not lose them by the death of the parish priest.

Domestic Chaplains. — Benefices possessed by chaplains are often attached to the residence of dis- tinguished families. In many countries of Europe, noblemen or their ancestors have provided for the sustenance of such private chaplains. Often such a priest takes on himself the duty of instructing the chil- dren of the house. If the position of the domestic chaplain be really of the nature of a benefice, it fol- ic. ws the rules already given for beneficed chaplains: otherwise the incumbent is considered as an auxiliary chaplain of the parish or diocese where he resides.

Chaplains of Convents. — According to various decrees of Roman congregations, the chaplains of nunneries must be men of mature age, if they can be procured. This rule is so strict that if the bishop without necessity has appointed a junior to the posi- tion, the superior may refuse to receive him. (S. C. Ep., In Messan., 1(30'2.) Chaplains unworthy of their charge are to be immediately removed. As a rule, regulars are not to be appointed chaplains in convents 'inlets there be a dearth of secular priests. The chap- lain receives his faculties from the bishop, except in the case of nuns who are subject to some order of regulars. Only in the case of exempt nuns can the chaplain administer all the sacraments to them, to the exclusion of the parish priest. As a rule, convent chap- lains should not be appointed for life. If a convent claims t ■ • have the right of presenting an irremovable chaplain to the bishop, the latter should forward the claim to Rome to obtain judgment upon it. If this is favourable, a perpetual chaplain is to be approved.

Chaplains of public institutions, such as colleges, hospitals, prisons, etc. receive their power from the intention of the bishop when apppointing them or from the laws of the foundation if there be one. As a rule they are allowed to say Mass and preach in the community chapel, and to exercise various quasi- parochial functions for the community.

Pontifical Chaplains. — Attached to the pope's chapel are various grades of chaplains. The private chaplains are those who assist the pontiff at the altar when he celebrates Mass, and are assisted by the honorary private chaplains, who minister directly to the pope only occasionally. There are also the pri- vate clerics of the chapel, the common chaplains and the supernumerary chaplains. Honorary chaplains "outside the city"are those who assist the pope only when he is outside Rome. The honorary private chaplains were instituted by Pope Clement XII; the common chaplains by Pope Alexander VII. In 1907, Pope Pius X confirmed to the common chaplains the title of Monsignon and their distinctive dress.

Mii.itakv Chaplains. — Priests appointed to minis- ter to the needs of the army and the navy are com- monly called military chaplains. In Catholic coun- tries where the numbers of such chaplains have been large, the governments have usually appoint,,! ■, chaplain-major. T'nless this appointment has been sanctioned by the Holy Sec. such chaplains-major pos- sess n,, spiritual jurisdiction over the other chaplains.

The common law of the church is thai military - lains should be approved by the ordinary of the place, not by the chaplain-major, otherwise confessions and marriages performed by them are invalid. When there are exceptions to this rule, it can only be in vir- tue of a special papal indult. Such indults have been granted for various countries. In Spain the vicar- general of the army has jurisdiction independent ,,f the ordinary. In France military chaplains have been abolished since the separation of Church and State. Chaplains were formerly granted to the

French soldiers only when their barracks were far from the parish churches. In ls;s7. Pope Leo XIII con- cluded a convention with the United States of Colom- bia in which various privileges for military chaplains were confirmed. In some countries, as Austria and Prussia, the chaplains are distinguished into parish priests, curates, and assistants. They are subject to an army vicar Apostolic, who generally receives epis- copal consecration. The exemption of military chap- lains in Austria from the jurisdiction of the ordinary dates from 1720. For the British Army and Navy, a decree was issued by the Sacre, 1 < 'ongregation of Prop- aganda, 15 May, 1906. It declares that the pro tem/iore Archbishop of Westminster is the ecclesiasti- cal superior of all commissioned army and navy chap- lains. As regards the former, he is to treat with the Government concerning their nomination, and take such measures as he shall deem expedient for their spiritual well-being. They are to report to him semi- annually, or at least annually, whatever concerns their state and occupation. Commissioned chaplains (except in Ireland and India) are to receive exclu- sively from the archbishop the faculties which he may grant them in virtue of his ordinary or delegated jurisdiction. These faculties they may exercise in the place determined by the archbishop, in favour only of the soldiers, their wives, and families. When a chaplain is transferred, his faculties endure until he has taken charge of his new station: but as soon as he receives notice of his transfer, he must inform the archbishop of it. As to their conduct as clerics these chaplains are subject to the local ordinary, to whom their special faculties must be shown, though his consent is not needed for their exercise so long as it is not extended to civilians.

On retirement from a chaplaincy in the army, the priest must return to his former diocese. In South Africa the local clergy are to supply the place of chaplains as far as possible. The Archbishop of Westminster alone is to treat with the Government for the appointment of navy chaplains, and is to grant them faculties which may be used in any part of t he world, but only on shipboard. If, however, by the arrangement of the commander of a ship, it be necessary for the chaplain to exercise his faculties on land, he must if possible notify the ordinary of the place, not to obtain authorization, but simply to show proper deference, except in the case that he exercises his functions for others than the members of the navy, for then he is obliged to have recourse t,, the ordinary of the place where he is (Acta S. Sedis. Vol. XL. fasc. 5). In Ireland the military chaplains are subject to the local bishops. The Provincial Council of Dublin in 1853 requires that army chaplains report to the bishop at stated times the religious condition of those under their charge.

In the United States ^nny probably the first chap- lains commissioned by the Government were I

appointed during (he Me\iean War. At present the

Government appoints a limited number ol chaplains

lor the army and navy. To administer t lie sa era n lent s to soldiers in garrison, army chaplains need tin- ap- probation of the ordinary; when the soldiers are mobilized, chaplains may exercise their functions anywhere without such authorization. Navy chap- lains if. Smith, op. cit. infra.) seem to fall under the general law that faculties must be obtained from the

bishop of the pori whence 'he vessel sails. Hoti ever, by the general decree ol I Vpril 1900, they would

have faculties on shipboard from the mere fact that they were .approved bv their own proper ordinaries.

■ sins, Prompta WW Home, I fefl. ITT; Boi i\. !>■ Paroeha i Paris. 1880); no (New

York, is!'"' 1 . I: Lmtben I rciburg, 1903);

Hcmi'Hrey, Urbs et Orbis (London, 1899).

William II. W. FANNING.

Chaplet. See Rosaky.