Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1884-12-01
The poPEs APPOINTMENTS.
Archbishop Gibbons Reported to Have
Been Made a Cardinal.

BALrIxoRE. Nov. 30.--Considerable COM
ment is caused among the Catholics to-day
By the alleged special cablegram from Rome,
which was published in one of the morning
papers to the effect that Archbishop Glib
bons had been honored by his Holiness.
Pope Leo XIII, By being created Cardinal.
While the laity are jubulant and excited over
the announcement, the venerable preiates of
the PIenary Council remain as quiet and
composed as usual, and pay but little atten-
ton 10 the report Ever since the cable of
two weeks ago was received from Rome,
stating that eight new cardinals had been
created, while the names of but seven were
given, il has been the hope and belief of
Baltimore Catholics that the other was the
bishop of the province of Baltimore. The
ca5legram of to-day states that the reason
for the Pope's withholding the announce
ment of the name of Archbishop Gibbons as
Cardinal is because his Holiness wishes TO
await the closing of the Plenary Council now
being held in this city. to enable his
brother prelates 10 satisfy them
selves as to the fitness of Archbishop
Gibbons for the honor On this point an
eminent theologan said to-day, 'The pre-
iates of the Plenary Council have no power
or right to say whether or not any choice of
ST. Paul. said he would not be surprised
If the red hat were conferred on Archbishop
Gibbons, but that the Council had nothing
TO do With it.
Pontificial high mass was celebrated at the
cathedral this morning by Bishop Loughlin,
of Brooklyn, with Revs. Foley and McKin.
as deacons. The prelates were robed in pur-
pie vestments during mass and wore red
vestments during the solemn service of
Council, which followed. A sermon was
preached by Bishop Hennessy, of Dubuque,
on ''The Sancity of the Church. He said,
ID is not meant that all the men of
the church are holy. The society of the
church is composed of good and bad, sim
ners and saints. The misdeeds of sinners
are their own. The church has no part in
them. The degrees of sanctity are numer-
Gus and differ from each ether as the stars
in the armament do In brilliancy. Sancity
is that by which the church proclaims to the
earth its heavenly origin. God gave it the
world as a field of labor and sent his Spirit
to abide with it forever. He gave 10 il sac
raments TO offer mp for the sins
of her people, and delegated his min
listers TO teach men obedience,
The Catholic Church claims the gift of in
falllbility and defies the world TO point to
one doctrine that she has ever changed one
iota. The Christianized and converted
Europe and her labors since that day have
met with no greater obstacle than that of
the man who told the heathen that the
church had more Christs than they had Gods.
The Bishop cited the work of the priests and
Sisters of Charity as also affirming the
sancitity of the church.
After the sermon solemn session of the
Council was held. at which the work accom-
plished during the week was voted upon and
confirmed. After vespers this evening
Bishop Ireland, of Minnesota, lectured on
the temperance question. The Council will
be closed ON next Sunday. One week later
than was expected with impressive cere-
monies.