The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-01-31
BISHOP EAIN TALKS
On the PoOs.bilit, OF an Amsrioan Pop


No Conclaye of Cardinals Imminent.
9 Some time ago cablegram from Rome
! quoting the alleged opinions Of big
!. dignitary Of the Roman Catholic Church
! was published broadcast in the Unitec
} States. In view Of the statements con
tanned therein, as to the policy to be put
sued by the approaching conclags, an
Ia view OF the fact that Rt. Rev. Bishop
Kahn had recently visited Rome, whei,
he met the present Pope, mingled with
the prelates ofthe church, and would o
necessity be well posted on matters in
teFestinH 10 the members OF the Catholic
iaith, an INTRLLIaENcER reporter callet
on the Bishop To obtain IN expression
OF opinion.
The Bishop read the cablegram, az
printed in the newspapers, and re
marked:
"This talk about an approaching Con
Claye is certainly news to me. Th
word Conclays is used to designate til
meeting OF Cardinals, held subsequent to
the death Of the Pope, and for Tue puI
pose OF electing his successor. Consld
ering his age, the present Holy Father i
In good health, aud consequently th'
holding OF q Conclave is not imminent
There is, OF course, since you have men
toned 1t, one other alternative, beside,
the death OF the Sovereign Pontln
namely, his resignatian. This conin
gency, however, Is very unlikely t.
arise, for since the institution Of the
Papacy, over two thousand yearH ago
only one such instance has occurred"
"This telegram, Bishop, indicates )
fear, supposed to exist in certain quar-.
ters, as 70 the possible interference, BY
the Italian government, in the election
ofanew Pops"
"Sigpor Crispi wonld not dare 10 10 |
terpose any active interference. That
he would endeavor to exert an infu |
ence on the deliberations Of the cardi j
nails is not at all unlikely. 1t has al.
ways been the policy of tue present i'll
cumbent OF the chair OF st. Peter, and il
was alao the policy pursued by Pop
Plus iN, to discourage all participation,
by his sdhsrents, in the elections helc
in Italy. You are aware that the Pope
claims the temporal dominion over tt,
former P4pal States, and his attitud
has been constant, though silent
protest, against the usarpati0a OF hh
possessions by the present dynasty. Fol
nis subjects to participate in elections
would be construed az recognition 0i
the present government. OF late years
a strong party, Of opposite views, nat
endeavored 10 combat this policy Of non
The members OF this papal
party find It difficult matter to view
With Indifference the actions Of tns
Italian Government. From all sides
the power Of the church is sought to BE-
checked, monasteIies have been sup.
dressed, funds have been seCularizsd.
This intOlerable persecution would be
il is thought, were q party
in parliament, which could
occupy the position held by thu
Centrum party in the German Imperial
which exerts strong inhu.
ence on legislation, In the event Of the
1eath Of the Holy Father, this party
might exert any influence 1t possesses,
to elect Pope favorable to It's opinions"
During the conversation thatfollowed,
Bishop Kain spoke OF Cardinal Layi.
gerie, who bad been mentioned as pos.
sible candidate.
"Osrdinal Lavigerie, said the Bishop,
lis abreast OF his timed and ahead Of his
A large portion Of the
French hierarchy is still buggtng the
ielusion OF restoration OF the former
But republican form OF
now rules in France. I'll
has come, probably, to sIay. While
many abuses are prevalent In the ad
ninistratton, yet, Cardinal Lavigerie
the proper way to remove
these abuses Ia for all GitiSsns to accept
tho Republic, and use their votes and
influence, as ciIiz.ns, 10 remedy the
In this, he would have the
clergy lead the vau.n
"Do You think, Bishop, that there is
any probability OF Cardinal Gibbons be.
ing elected PopeM
The Bishop smiled.
"t have been frequently amused"
said he, "by what | have heard and read
in regard to this matter. There Ia no
hope that Cardinal Gibbons will bs
and there ia still less probabili,
ty. The Cardinal himself laughs at the
lQeu Wneu pEebenLeu 10 ulLu. III tQ0 nus
tory OF the Papscy, there ia only one in
stance OF an Anglo Saxon having been
elected to the papal chair. A b. 1854,
Nicholas B;akspeare became Pope and
assumed the name OF Adrian. So long
as the Popss were temporal lords an
Italian almont always occupied the chair
Of st. Peter. II was natural that
the Italians would prefer to be gov
erned by one Of their own nation
ality. The Holy Father has been
deprived Of his temporal power, hut has
never ceased to proteAt against the rob.
bery, and haR not abased ono iota Of bi,
claims, What, then, is more natural,
than that tho next Pope should be an
Italian? While l do not mean to sGy
that political motives would sway do
liberations Of the Cardinals in conclave
assembled, yet II seems TO me that It
would be at least a polite measure to
elect an Italian Pops. No; there is no
likelihood Of Cardinal Gibbona being |
elected. AS an American, his election
would be grateful to us. but il will be |
vain TO expect any such fruisipn OF our
hopes,"