214 Acta Apostolicae Sedis. - Commentarium Officiale.

Fr. J . C. CARD. VIVES, Prefed.

f Donatus , Archb. of Ephesus , Secretar^.

Religious prudently. All Religious are also admonished to use this

privilège of asking for a special Confessor only for their spiritual good

and greater progress in religious virtues, apart from ali h u m a n con-

sidérations.

14. When Nuns or Sisters are outside their own house, no mat ter

what the reason, they may confess in any church or oratory, even semi-

public, to any Confessor approved for both sexes. The Superioress may

not forbid this, or enquire about it, even indirectly, and the Religious

are not bound to mention the fact to their Superioress.

15. Aiiy Nuri or Religious, when seriously sick, a l though not in

danger of death, may call any priest approved for hearing confessions,

and she may confess to him as often as she wish during this serious

illness.

16. This Decree must be observed by all religious families of women,

whether of solemn or simple vows, or Oblates or other pious commu-

nities not bound by vows, even though the Institute be merely diocesan.

This Decree also binds communities under the Jurisdiction of a Prelate

Regular ; and if he do not see to it tha t h is subjects faithfully obey

this Decree, the Bishop or Ordinary of the place shall himself, as a

Delegate of the Apostolic See, enforce its observance.

17. This Decree mus t be added to the rules and consti tutions of

each and every religious family of women and publicly read in the

vernacular once a year in a chapter of ali the Religious.

Therefore our Holy Father , Pope Pius X, having heard the mind

of their Eminence, the Cardinals of the sacred Congrégation of Reli-

gious, assemblea in plenary Congress at the Vatican the thirtyfirst day

of January 1913, has deigned, after the report of the undersigned

Secretàry, to approve and confimi this Decree in ali its par t s and to

order tha t it be published and faithfully observed in the future by ali

whom it concern s.

All dispositions whatsoever, even though worthy of special and indi-

vidual mention, to the contrary notwithstanding.

Given at Rome, from the Secretariate of the sacred Congrégation

of Religious, the third day of February 1913.