Odin, John Mary, Archbishop of New Orleans, Louisiana, 1863 April 15

Circular letter: Since his arrival he has meditated on his obligations and the means of fulfilling them. He intends to follow in the footsteps of his illustrious predecessor. The poverty of the archdiocese demands a careful planning of revenues. He has no share in the revenue of the Cathedral. According to the rule of Pope Benedict XIV he has a right to tax each parish. He has called in his council to determine how much cathedraticum each will pay. The division of the parish funds between the priests' support and the maintenance of the church is difficult. They differ in each parish. All sources of revenue must be included in such a decision. In the first stages of the Church the revenues were divided into four parts: 1. For the Bishop, 2. For the clergy, 3. For the poor, 4. For the care of the Church. ~ Document ~ Odin then sets the cathedraticum, the stipends, the rules for religious parishes, the salaries of pastors and their assistants, the administration of the church, maintenance, other incidental expenses and the manner of accounting for them. He adds as a postscript dated April 15, 1863, an answer received from the Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda, Cardinal Alexpander Barnabo. Barnabo's decree is dated September 12, 1862 and says that in view of the lack of a set custom in the administration of the goods of the diocese, that administration belongs to the Bishops and by them these goods are divided and proper shares assigned to the Bishop, the clergy, the poor, and the maintenance of the church. H. Capalti as secretary. :: VI-2-g Printed Circular French and Latin 8vo.