diff --git a/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/types/XMLCatalog.java b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/types/XMLCatalog.java
index a3735f5b2..e2d99e296 100644
--- a/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/types/XMLCatalog.java
+++ b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/types/XMLCatalog.java
@@ -177,22 +177,6 @@ public class XMLCatalog extends DataType
         return getRef().classpath;
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Set the list of ResourceLocation objects in the catalog.
-     * Not allowed if this catalog is itself a reference to another catalog --
-     * that is, a catalog cannot both refer to another <em>and</em> contain
-     * elements or other attributes.
-     *
-     * @param aVector the new list of ResourceLocations
-     * to use in the catalog.
-     */
-    private void setElements(Vector aVector) {
-        if (isReference()) {
-            throw noChildrenAllowed();
-        }
-        elements = aVector;
-    }
-
     /**
      * Allows nested classpath elements. Not allowed if this catalog
      * is itself a reference to another catalog -- that is, a catalog