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ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSION HOUSE,
HONGKONG, 14th April, 1875,
The undersigned beg most respectfully to submit to your consideration the following remarks on a very important matter concerning the large community of Roman Catholics at Hongkong.
State of the question.-- On the 10th of March, a new Bill or Ordinance, for the registration of Marriages, was laid before the Legislative Council of Hongkong. The Ordinance applies to all Marriages, where one or both parties profess the Christian religion. The majority of the Christians at Hongkong are Roman Catholies; moreover as the Protestants are not settled in Hongkong, we may say that the Christian settled population is totally Roman Catholic, and, if compared in number to the non-Roman Catholics, it may be placed on the same footing as the Maltese. With the exception of Malta, we think, there could scarcely be found a Colony where the Catholic element prevails as in this Colony, if we speak of a Christian resident community. The greater part of the Roman Catholics are from Macao-a Portuguese settlement, where the regulations for Marriages are on perfectly pure Catholic principles, according to Portuguese law--- which regulations have always been observed in Hongkong, and it has contributed very much to facilitate their coming to and settling at Hongkong, as nothing is more firmly rooted in them than Catholic principles. For the sake of truth, we must say that the Roman Catholic population of Hongkong is most orderly, and most respectful towards Authority, and have never given any trouble to the Government.
From the very intancy of this Colony, the Roman Catholics have been permitted to celebrate Marriages here according to the rules of their Church. Certificates drawn up by the Catholic Priests, have ever been recognized by the Law-courts as valid documents; the slightest irregularity has never been noticed in them---the Marriage Ordinance made in 1852 respected them. A Register of Marriages has been always kept in the Roman Catholic Cathedral, banns have been published, strict enquiries have been made, and there could not be one case cited of any adlawful Marriage.
During the absence of the Profect Apostolie from this Mission in 1873, the Very Rev. J. Borghignoli, Vice-Prefect, was asked if the Roman Catholic clergy would object to have Marriages registered after their celebration in the Catholic Church: being in nowise opposed to such registration, he unhesitatingly answered no. The subject was not spoken of again till the 10th of March of the present year, when a Bill for the registration of Marriages was laid before the Legislative Council, the principle and regulation of which were quite different from that to which the Rev. 4. Borghignoli assented two years previously. Perceiving that the Bill was at variance with the principles of our Church, and would interfere with the liberty of conscience of Catholies, in order to avoid disagreement between our flock and the Government, the Pro-Vicar Apostolic went to the Acting Colonial Secretary and explained matters, telling him at the same time, that the Bill could not be accepted.
We were assured that our religious principles would not be interfered with, We were furnished with a copy of the Bill and from the notes thereto appended, we were somewhat surprised to learn that it had your approval, Right Hon. Sir.
As this Bill
To the Right Horile
The Secretary of Stale
for the Colonies.
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