New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-03-14
Father R0othaan.

aAcc cunts from Rome mention that Father Roothasn.
eGeneral OF the Jesuits, Is on bis deathoed
This is the simple announcement OF the dan
rerous illness of one of the powerful props which
the Roman Catholic Church has possessed during the
present century
The difficulties in which the Order OF The Jesuts
found themselves, owing to the envy and hatred Of
other Orders in the Church. and which led to the cleo
ton of the aged Father Forts as General of the Order
in ls9 were removed by the accession of Leo XII to
the Papa chair in 1873 Under his favor and protec-
ton the Order fourshed to unexampled degree, and
At the time Of the death of Forts January 1922 and
of Leo in February fourteen days later it had recov
cred possession of all its former palaces, churches and
colleges in Rome, and yet numerous were its mem
bers that new structures demanded for their ac-
commodation. The future prosperity of the Jesuts
depended in great upon the result of the cleo
ton of new Pope and the elevation of Plus VIII was
triumph for them which followed up by the cleo
ton on the 9th Of July. 1929, of Father JOHANNES
RoorHAAN to the Office of PrGpositus GeaerdIs of the
Order.
Since the election of Aquaviya in l6l5 the Order had
had no General so young nor enc of such extrsordi
nary talents and capacity for business as Roothaan
He was native of Amsterdam born Nov. %, l7Sa,
native city A. the age of 10 he entered the College, of
the Order at Pollok and exhibited In the circle OF his
oftimes difficult and delicate duties singular skill and
activity. There Is one body in the world which al.
ways chooses its best to its highest Offices and the
election of Roothaan to its head is proof sufficient Of
his keen and comprehensive understanding which in
his case was joined to a truly Dutch elaboration, en-.
tire selfcommand indomitabe courage, and perfect
III. nd of md inter nj
politics He wss at the age of 49, in the most per-
feet development of his powers and everywhere
hailed by the jesuit communities as the greatest poll
cian and most skilfu pilot to whom the guidance OF
their Order could be inirusted.
Many circumstances have combined since 1879 to
rnise the society of Jesus somewhat of its former In
fuence and power, among them the necessity which
Despotsm has found of turning to 1t for support against
the Republican ideas which are so surely spreading
throughout the the Continent of Europe and
the natural reaction from the excitement OF ls45 but
nothing can account for the increase OF this influence
and power to their present extent but the exraordi
nary qualifications of the head of the Order Ia fact
since Roothaans elevation in lS9 he has been not only
General the Jesus but really the head fhe Church
and hardly less than supreme temporal ruler of the
States Of the Church. at least down to the advent of the
present Pope Plus TX. II was mainly owing TO the
power ofRoohaan that Plus his accession found the
States in go sad condition. The General looked only
to the advantage OF his order and purposey repressed
all attempts TO improve the condition OF the people,
either intellectually in their material interests so
long as he was practically regent, permission could
be obtained even for the construction Of railroad
Gregory XVI. who succeeded Plus VIII in 1890 was
but puppet in the hands of Roothaan and the losses
which the order suffered through the revolutions Of
1870 were richly made up by the head of the church
Father Roothssn has made himself felt throughout
the civilized world The attempts made by the nations
of Europe in 1913 gain religious and political free
dom have been skilfuy made to tend to the increase
Of the influence of the followers OF Loyola and at nc
period has that dangerous power been actively
working in the affairs of the world stood more in
dependenty in It's strength than at this moment when
its great head is drawing to the close Of his busy and
eyentful life