Barnabo, Archbishop Alexander, Rome, Italy, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1855 June 3

In his letter of April 24, 1855, Blanc submitted the following to the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation of Propaganda Fide. I. During Blanc's absence, requests for dispensations from first degree affinity have been more numerous than usual so that his vicar general has been obliged to refuse some. Blanc asks for a renewal with a greater number of cases, if possible. There are at least 10 such dispensations a year. II. They also need a renewal of faculties for the impediment of second degree relationship and affinity. III. Under his predecessors, the vicar general grated these dispensations and Blanc followed the same practice with the exception of the first and second degree of relationship which he reserved to himself up to his last departure for Rome. He asks to delegate this power to his vicar general at least for the second degree. IV. In the last rescript, they were authorized to delegate the faculty of dispensing in mixed marriages only when they were absent more than one day. This restriction will be very burdensome in New Orleans; their City is of too wide an extent. People often come three miles to get the dispensation, and often on the day of the marriage. If the Archbishop is absent, the parties do not wish to wait or return; such is the spirit of their people! Also, the Archbishop always gives the dispensation, the vicar general merely signs. In an audience held on this date, Pope Pius IX ordered Barnabo to replay: For points I and II it has been decided for the favor in the form and terms of the granted permission. For points III and IV the favor is granted as requested. For the last point, for cases of urgent necessity. :: VI-1-i L. French A.L.S. Latin 2pp. 4to.