New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-05
MGR, FRANCIS SATOLLI.
LIFE AND CHARACTER OF THE ARCHBISHOP
OF LEPANTO.

HIS DUTIES AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF LEO
XIII IN THE UNITED sTATE:-FNLrRE OF
EARLIER PAPAL DELEGATES TO THIS
COuNTRY-IiIs FUTURE LIKELY ~
EE OF EvFE INCREASING N
poRTAHCE TO THE C,THo.
Lie HIERARCHY n
AMERICA.
Washington Feb. 4 Special" His E>celeney
the Apostolic Delegate. the Most Reverend franci'
Satolli, Archbishop OF Lcpanto, is the full ecces
astical titl OF the distinguished Roman preate who
has the honor TO represent the Vatican IN tie
United States in connection with the Propaganda
Monsignor Satolli. however, has another title con
ferrcd by an act of Congress and that is Commission
er 20 the Worlds Columbian Exposition lie took
part in the dedcat0ry exercises last October and VII
in his capacity as Commissioner sent by the SovcT
eign PontiI OF Rome be present at the formal open
ing of the Exposition in May next. The most VaI"-
sbe and certainly the most ancient of the interesting
documents from the archives of the Vatican are IN
trusted Ia the care of Monsignor SatOli Since the
dedcatOry exercises last October when he was only
known az a Commissioner, the Holy See has made
him the first permanent Apostolic Delegate 10 the
United States.
A character sketch Of the Delegate must be pre-
cedej bv an account of the influences that
have moulded and fitted him peculiarly for his
work. 1t is promised that his mission is friendly
and that the power that created his place here is
in touch with American institutions and has in-
pressed its legate with that sympathy. Latter
day communication with the venerable Head Of
the Roman Catholic Church has confirmed the
opinion already entertained Of the generous atti-
A. al, ,c Do
No one but a man of profound culture, one
familiar with the rise and fall of dynaStes and
the growth of progressive government; and one who
at the same time holds fast to deep-rooted tradi-
tions which are stronger than written history in
insuring the stability of a creed founded upon
Biblical and patrarchal aw-onlv such a one
could embrace and appreciate the magnificent
stride made by the youngest nation in the world
which has already Outsrown her mother and her
cousins german.
This is the knowledge and the appreciative adj
mration which the head of the Roman Church
has decisively manifested in his insight into our
forms of government and the relations existing be-
tween the authorized governors and the governed.
There is better proof of this knowledge than
the fact that Archbishop SatoNi il not the first
prelatc sent from Rome 10 the United States on
special mission.
As early as 1853 Monsienor Btdini. the Papal
Nuncio 70 Brazil began his work by a friendly
visit to the United States that was intended to ad-
just some Of the conflicting questions confronting
Archbishop Satoli today. Later Monsienor Roncett
was deputed to bring TO the Cardinal in New-York
his bretta, and used the opportunity TO consider
some of the aspects of the Church in America in
relation to questions Of State. The Right Rev.
George Conroy, Bishop of Ardagh also used the
authority vested in his dignity as Apostolic Del
egate to Canada, to look into special matters in
this country that had engaged the eye of the Holy
Father in Rome. To-day there is left no trace OF
the practical adjustment of the relations of our
institutions TO the existing laws of the Church in
America The names of these delegates have
passed from memory.
i lie present Apostolic Delegate to the United
States Francis Satoi, was born in Perugia Italy.
the land of the ancient Etruscans, whose civilizl
ton partoOk of the culture Of the Greek, Egyp-
tan and Phoenician lie received his education
in the diocesan seminary of his native city, whose
celebrity not local, being presided over by
Joachim Pecci, Archbishop of Peruga. who now
occupies the Paral Chair in Rome. Surrounded as
he was with associations entirely ecclesiastc in
the quaint university town Of Tuscan Perugia the
trend OF his mind from his boyhool was in the
line OF priestly vocation. His first ambitions
him under the scrutiny Of a teacher more than
ordinarily gifted with scholastic culture in the
direction of theological knowledge. His profound
intellectual acumen embraced the philosophical
utterances of the earliest Fathers OF the Church,
notably St Thomas AQuinas; the theories OF pagan
teachers, and the fundamental groundwork Of all
theology as learned in the Gospel Of the Evan
gelists. With these individual elements the zeal
Gus Archbishop Of Peru9a, with the liberaity Of
perfect Knowledge, sought to bring into the adj
justment Of the popular issues of to-day the
blended teachings of the past And thus early
the boy Satoli grew in touch with the desire OF
his illustrious teacher. and his ambitious mind
followed enthusiastically where the master led.
When Cardinal Pccci became Pontin of Rome
the scholar of his moulding was early called to
the broader culture of the Roman School. As he
grew In this strengthening atmosphere, lie kept
in accord with Leo's theological principles, and
was his prime helper in the diffusion of his
advanced educational ideas. The Pontt placed
him in positions of high trust. lie was Canon
OF the Church Of st. John Of Lateran, Whose
foundation was laid by Constantine. lie filed
with success two important profcssorships in tn"
most renowned schools Of Rome-the Propaganda
and the Academy Of Noble Ecclesiastics. In this
latter there is found no mediocrlty It's patronage
includes only the names OF men who are 10 be
trained for churchly diplomacy, and for solving
conflicting questions involved in religious and
social Issues. Monsignor Satoli was appointed
10 fill this chair, and the clericas Of his training
may to-day be found in nearly every diocese of
the Church.
lie has expended upon his work in this direction
not only the combined intellectual teachings Of his
master, but has with his own growth evolved
original methods and practices of thought that
have brought him before the reading world as
author and writer lie stands as the exponent
and adapter of the real Thomistic Philosophy
cvinccd in his Commentary on the 'Summa' of
St. Thomas in five volumes. He has also pub
hshed A Course of Philosophy in three volumes.
Besides this work, BE is known TO the literary