Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-11-18

The Plenarv Council of the PrelaUes Of
the Catholic Church, now in session at
Baltimore. is the third national conven-
ton Of that church which has been held
in the United States. The first was held
at Baltimore IN 1852, and the second and
more important at the same place in 1866.
Plenary councils during the past hundred
years have been often held in the different
countries Of Europe, and were called by
concurrent authority Of the civil and &C.
clesiastical powers, with the sanction Of
the Pope. Napoleon, in 1911, called q
Plenary Council without the consent Of
the Pope. In the United States the u
ell is called by the Prelates alone with the
sanction Of the Pope.
Unlike the General or Gcumenieal
Councils the Plenary or National Coun-
ellis have nothing to do with the fOrma-
ton or declaration Of dogmatical defni-
tons If the faith Of the church. Their
Jurisdiction extends only to matters OF
discipline and policy affecting the welfare
Of the church. Nothing Of consequence
concerning the sessions Of the present
council, which have been held daily since
Nov. 10, are known except the fact that
the body met and adjourned. 1t is gener-
ally understood, however, that the ques-
lions to be dealt with are those relating to
the higher education of the clergy, the
manner Of raising funds for churches by
picnics and fairs, mixed marriages, the
establishment Of some graduation in the
ranks Of the clergy, and the public school
question.
This is considered the most important
Of the councils held in the United States.
! The subjects for discussion were arranged
and the order Of business mapped out by a
| committee Of learned prelates during the
summer and autumn, and the subjects are
divided among twelve committees, which
| meet daily. and after conducting their in
designations and discussions make their
| reports to the session.
The council is a legislative body
and its business is conducted in a man
ner somewhat similar to the pro-
| ceedings of Congress, but Of course
with much more dignity, solemnity and
formality. While the council holds
public sessions the proceedings are in the
/ ldL4U uEud7 AN AZ 0A9NN0SioASf
which are in English, are strictly secret.
The action on no subject will be made
| public until after the final adjournment,
and until the DEGREES shall have been ap-
proved By the Pope, whose power Of veto
is absolute, and 70 decision is binding
until it has received the seal of 'the true
successor of St. Peter in the See OF
ROme.'
The council is composed Of the most
/ eminent t~heologians Of the Catholic faith
in this country, the entire ''episcoPacy"
Of the United States being in attendance.
1t is Of course the event of the time with
the Catholic world, and the decisions will
be looked for by Catholics with the great
est anxiety, while they will interest every
intelligent person in the land. From the
character of the membership Of the ccun-
ell it may be safely assumed that its
action will be conservative, and while so
shaped as to promote the interests of the
| Catholic Church, will not encroach on the
recognized rights of other denominations
or prove in any respect a menace TO
American institutions.