The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-27

PITTsBURG, Pa, Dec. 26.-Will the pres
ent generation see an American Pope?
A recent suggestion OF the probability
of the election OF Cardinal Gibbons as the
successor Of Pope Leo has given rise TO
much talk on thc subject, and in II recent
interview with high church official here
little odd information on the subject was
| extracted.
"Oi course" said he, "there is q posi-
| bility Of Cardinal Gibbons succeeding the
present Pope, but not much probability OF
1t. He would be present at the conclave,
vote for new Pope and to that extent
would be possibility, although there are
several instances Of where the Popes were
selected outside of the list OF cardinals
The cardinals were for a long time chosen
exclusively from among the bishops, deans
and parish priests OF Rome who, as they
were named cardinals, were relieved Of
their pastoral charges and became, as it
were, the fope's cabinet, and took share
in the general government Of the Church.
! The chances OF the election OF cardinal,
! who is not in the active management OF
| the general government Of the Church,
! are so small, however, as to rob the ques-
ton Of its interest.
"The general government OF the church
is much like any general government
/ What We would call department OF the
general government the church calls a
congregation. hus they have the con-
grcgaion OF the propagation OF faith,
! whose Office IL is to watch over the inter-
ests OF the church in missionary countries;
the congregation Of the index, whose duty
il is to examine books and pamphlets, and
so on, and rs occasions offer the Pope may
erect new departments or congregations.
! In every one OF these congregations a
grea, number OF persons arc employed,
/ either ~ couusellors, translators or clerks.
| The cardinals who takc the active manage
! iuent OF this work, are naturally better
qualified 10 direct the affairs OF the
] church than those who because of their
/ duties ut home and the distance Of
sees from Rome take no part in the gem
eral government Of the papal election.
| The iormalities and ceremonies connected
with the papal election are the result Of
| the work OF thousand Yeas, and 10 give
connected account OF them would ex-
coed the limits OF an ordinary newspaper
1
OF selecting the Pope il by ballot, two
thirds Of the vote cast being necessary for
q choice, and the election must begin ten
days after the death Of the Pope. The
cardnal-chamberain takes charge OF the
government dhring the vacancy OF the
papal throne. lie is required 10 summon
all the cardinals 10 n consultation ON the
necessary provisions Tor the time Of the
vacancy.
"Thc line OF promotion or the PROBABLE
ity OF election Of any Cardinal seems to run
among those who have had charge of the
several congregations, who correspond
with our cabinet officers in this country.
You can see by this, therefore. that an
American Cardinal would not stand much
chance Of being named rs Pope. There
are. however, many influences ut work
when Pope Is 10 he elected that are not
! apparent 10 the outside gaze. The old
veto power held by the several European
Governments while not as active, maybe,
ns in former times, s;ll eXerts influence,
and ID would u against tho selection of a
| Cardinal like Archbishop Gibbons, who
| halls from the great republic. with repub-
| lican ideas II was considered Ia
/ be in the interest Of the church that
the Pops should be one against whose
| person there would he no grounded
OF Underground prejudice in this or that
great nation, and the privilege OF n veto
was granted TO Austria, France and Spain.
These were the three leading Catholic
Governments, but the church did not con-
slider herself bound TO yield uncondtion-
ally TO this demand. Il is considered q
concession grounded ON motives Of pru.
doncc. II has frequently happened, by
reason OF political interests, that candi.
date would have been most acceptable 10
one Government, against whom another
entertained the most unconccalcl oppo'
silion. II is not nj all likely, Therefore,
that with these veto powers. the European
Government would silently permit the ~
lection Of am American Pope"