New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-26
PAPAL CONSISTORIES.
WITH SOME NOTES CONCERNING THE
CREATION OF CARDINALS

Papal consistories always subject of
considerable interest not alone to Catholics but
also TO the members of other religious demon
nations throughout the civilized world, owing
to the fact that they are held for the purpose
Of the creation Of the members OF the Sacred
College. to which has been coniided Tor the last
four or five centuries the election OF the POPE.
But the one which will take place early IN
fhe new year. possibly In January. in connection
with the sixtieth anniy ersary OF Leo Kills or
dination to the priesthood. Is attracting ever
more than the customary attention in conse-
quence Of the report that the Holy Father Will
avail himself of the occasion to proclaim the
names Of the two Cardinals whom he raised to
the rank of Princes of the Church al the mid
summer Consistory of 1896 but whose identity
has ever since then remained unknown TO every
one, even to the preates chiefly concerned the
secret being locked up in the pontiff's breast,
whence the expression lin pectore which has
been corrupted into "in pctto" The belief that
these two Cardinals at length to be pro-
claimed is confirmed by the fact that although
II has been officially intimated that ten card
nails. mostly Italians. will be nominated al the
forthcoming consstory, for the purpose OF re-
storing the numerical predoninance OF the itai-
Ian element in the Sacred College. the Pope mas
given orders to Contra, the Pontihcal natter not
for ten. but for twelve. red hats. Much specuia-
Ton prevails with regard to the identity OF the
two Cardinals in petto. but the consensus OF
opinion in Catholic and more especially IN vat
lean circles Is that they are foreigners
THE ORIGIN OF THE CUSTOM
1t may be as we'll TO give few words OF
explanation Of this custom Of creating CARDINALS
IN petto, concerning which so little Is known
outside the ranks OF the Roman Catholic clergy
II originated with Pope Martin In the hiteeh'h
century In those days the Sacred College eH-
.-rsed tn n far greater degree than to-day Its
powers as the Senate OF the Church' ana iie
ouently replied to the question put TO IL oy ''e
Pontiff OF "Qud vobis videtur? -which "'a'
be translated do you See anything 10 OBJECT
70 in ths?"-with a Non placet.' that is to say.
eft docs not please us" The Pope was usually
pretty we'll cognizan,. before the Consistory TOOK
place of the sentiment of the sacred Co"ebe
with regard to the candidates for membership
and therefore avoided putting TO open vote the
nomination Of the prelates to whom he Kne"
there would be overwhelming opposition by Gre
atinC them Cardinals in petto. awaiting more
favorable opportunity to proclaim their Nance
Their patent of appointment. and consequently
their seniority, dated from the moment OF thei
creation in petto; but Of course they en)oyeo
none of the prerogatives OF their rank until
publicly proclaimed while il the PontlH VINO
had made the nomination happened to die be-
fore the proclamation in question had taken
place it was for the College itself to decide
whether their creation was to be recognized and
whether they were TO be admitted to the con-
elave for the election Of a successor to the CHAIR
of St Peter There have been times when the
College has refused to do this but where the
Injustice has been repaired by the new rope
who has confirmed the dignity out OF Difference
to the wishes of his predecessor. while In some
Instances Cardinals created in petto have lived
and died without having their dignity con-
nrmed
OF course there are other reasons besides the
opposition Of the Sacred College that lead the
Pontif to create Cardinals in petto. Sometimes
1t is a consideration OF ecclesiastical policy that
induces him to take this step. while there are
Instances where he has been known to act thus
for the purpose Of disciplining prelates who,
while worthy Of admission to the College. have
shown too much eagerness for the hat and have
discounted their honors. so to speak, in ad
vance There Is one popular member or the
Sa<red College whose creation was held In
petto for at least two years, solely because OF
the indscretion of his relatives. most OF them
members OF the Court OF the Vatican. in taxing
II upon themselves TO thank the Holy Father Tor
the honor destined TO their kinsman before Leo
XIII had given any private or Official intination
70 the prelate In question Of the elevation In
store for him. Intriguers aware OF this aver
sion Of Leo XIII to having his hand forced.
either in the creation Of Cardinals or In the exer
else of any other Of his prerogatives. turn 1t TO
account by publishing in the press assertions