The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-03-21
THE AMERICAN CARDINAL.

A propos Of the elevation Of Archbishop
McCIoskey to the dignity Of prince Of the
Roman Catholic Church, and OF the tole-
graphic announcement that Archbishop Bay
ley, Of Baltimore, has been designated as
Primate Of thai Church in the United States
omnipresent HeraH interviewer has called
npon the Baltimore prclate for q little more
light upon the subject.
Archbishop Bayley is reported to have said
that his own See, being as it were the parent
of the Church in this country, the Catholics
of Baltimore felt some disappointment that
the primacy accorded by courtesy to the
incumbent Of that See should not have been
confirmed by the bestowal Of the scarlet hat
SO far as he was personally concerned how
ever. the reverend gentleman reJoiced that
the honor did not fall to his lot
Referring to Cardinal MeCloskey. Dr. Bay
ley said, che was the first priest he ever spoke
to when he began to investigate the doctrines
of the Catholic Church, and further along in
life, he was consecrated bishop within a
month after he dhe speaker had been or
dained priest. To him, therefore, it was
eminently proper that he should still be his
superior. OF the new Cardinals merits Arch
bishop Bayley gays:
Words Of commentator are not strong
enough to bear my testimony to his fitness for
the Office. To some he may not appear to have |
that force OF character necessary for the duties
of Cardinal. But noise is not force. The zeal |
OF Archbishop McCloskey is displayed in the |
growth Of the Church Immediately under his
control Jhe silent emblcms Of our faith are the
best Witnesses the best testimony, Of his excel
Isnce as loving pastor the halls OF learning
which have sprung up slnce he was assigned to
tho charge Of the Archdiocese Of New York, the
new churches erected and begun tel the story Of
his wo k.
Who more eminent for his crlditio whose
counsel IA more valuable, more wise? He il the
safest Of directors know, and the first shouli
seek if in need Of good advice. Again, New
York is the metropolis Of the United States. Il
is known az such all over the world and i'll con
ferrlng upon our country this honor it is quite
natural that our city shout be chosen rs the res
idence Of the American Cardinal, and it is to be
regretted that when the Office is conferred it can
not be in the new cathedral
Az to the respons bllitics and duties they will
not, - far rs ! can Judge, add to the care the
Archbishop has But it may be tina the
Holy Father viii call him to Rome, and thus
bring him into immediate relation with the Office
As the Unite States has no longer diplomatic
y,
an American Cardinal would seem to be most
desirable and 1t would be of art at advantage III
many ways. At present, DR.. Chatard the Presi-
dent OF tho American College, Is called upon to
receive the thrOng Of visitors from this country,
to such extent, too, tina he is almost taken
away from his duties as President Of the College.
DIR. B.yley then remarked to his interviewer
that this was merely conjecture on his part,
and the new Cardinal might only be called to
D.. q. n |
Father, to take part in the election of his sue
cessor.
The duties of Cardinals are of laborious
description, for besides acting as counselors to
the Pope they are charged with the gravest
responsibilities, being appointed to decide !,
upon all important matters pertaining to the
government of the Church.
This is tho main reason why most of them :
are required to live in Rome, and why more
Than two-thirds of the Cardinals are natives
Of Italy, still stronger reason for this pre-
ponderance of Italians being that down to a !,
very recent period the Popes were temporal
" w,ll as spiritual sovereigns, and have, with
'ery few exceptions, been Italians by birth.
There are but few persons outside of the
Catholic clergy who are well posted upon the
boye subject, and we have therefore thought Z
hat some reliable information such as we !,
ave gathered here flom the best sources Il
night prove interesting, not alone to Catholics, a
nut also to members of all the other COM Fl
nunions who dwell together in peace, ii not q
n harmony and union, under the only gov !, -
rnment in the world which does not to
acknowledge and support National Church :,
r an official religion. IN