Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-24
A TALK WITH BISHOP GROSS.

He Returns to Savanuah and Discusses.
the Pienary Council and Other Matt
ters of Church Interest.
Rt. Rev. Bishop VIM. II. Gross, of thE
Diocese Of Savannah, returned from New
York yesterday, whittier he went immedi-
ately after the adjournment of the PIenarv
Council in Baltimore. He was seen by a
reporter of the NEWS last night and freely
chatted upon the work of the great church
conference and about its results.
''The Plenary Council" said he, 'Ewas
most magnificent assemblage, including
archbishOps and other church dignitaries
from San Francisco, Oregon, Texas. Maine.
and indeed from all parts Of the country.
Among the most remarkable members of
the council were Archbishop kenrick of
st. Louis, and Archbishop AllemanY of
san Francisco. Both are very old men,
aud the former is the Dean of the EplscO-
pate, having been a Bishop nearly 80
years. 1t was beautiful sight to witness
the sessions of the council. They were
held in an immense hall, at one end of
which was a portrait of the present Pope,
and at the other life-siZe crucifix. The
work was rather arduOus, the sessions
being held from 10 O'clock TO and from 4
O'Clock on. Then there were many pri-
vate meetings, ETC., to attend. l have
attended many great bodies, but l never
saw anything so impressive as the de-
bates between the cOurtly and dignifed
members of the council"
"What can you say as to the results of
the cOuneiiF'
"The DEGREES will go to Rome for the
action Of His Holiness, the Pope, and
when they get his official approval they
will become the law of the land for the
government of the church. think every
l am not at liberty to speak of the DEGREES
until the Holy See has acted upon them.
Some alterations may be made, but the
DEGREES are usually approved"
"DO you care TO say anything about the
charge made by certain cOlOred people
in Baltimore that while there you spoke
in disparaging terms of their racer"
s'In an address i simply stated that in
nv diocese there were 100000 or 10000
cOlOred people and children, and that the
church was doing all it could for them.
said we knew the cOlOred people were
sunk low in Africa through never having
advantages. and here they had been
slaves. 1t cannot be denied that they
have not had the advantages of the white
race. L said they could be lifted up, and
the Catholic Church could do so better
than any other. A good example of that
can be seen in Baltimore, where
there is cOlOred convent and
two cOlOred churches. 1 did not run
down the cOlOred people. L have always
done what l could for them, despite the
fact that my resources were small. In
the council the liveliest interest was taken
in this work. All the bishops showed the
tenderest regard for the welfare Of the
cOlOred people and willingness to i'm
prove their condition. Ample provision
was made by the council for the attain
ment of this object, and means, of which
cannot yet speak, were taken. During
nv stay in Baltimore L preached nine
times, including at the cOlOred convent
and the two cOlOred churches. Baltimore
is my native city, and l was given uneX-
pectedly a tremendous reception at st.
incent de PauPs, in which parish l was
born"
Bishop Gross is now in excellent health
and does not show any effects of a slight
indispOsitiOn from which he suffered while
in New York