The San Francisco call., 1899-07-10
MAY CALL THE
PLENARY COUNCIL
American ArchbiShOpS
to Consider 1t.
AN IMPORTANT ASSEMBLAGE
NEARLY TWENTY YEARS SINCE
ONE WAS HELD.
Keane Has Left Rome
and Will Arrive in Washington
in October-Mgr. Martineli
Is Coming West.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

WASHINGTON, July 9-1t is SAID at
the residence of the Apostolic Delegate
that the reports emanating in the west
that a plenary council of the Catholic
church in America would be held Two
wears hence are doubtless the outgrowth
of the well-known fact that these coun-
ellis are held about every twenty years,
and that two years hence will mark the
twenty-year period from the time or the
plenary council of Baltimore, held in 1872.
The assembling of such a council IS an
event of unusual Importance TO the
church. az 1t brings together the entlre
hierarchy of Archbishops and Bishops TO
frame the legislation of the church appll-
cable to this country. Before 1t can be
held, however there must be due de-
termination by the authorities In the
countries, then directions from Rome for
the assembling of the council. Prior to
the council of Baltimore the American
Archbishops made a visit to Rome and
petitioned the Vatican for the assembling
of the council. This procedure is not es-
sential, though some such formal action
is required, and in case council is TO be
held in 1902 1t is thought the coming meet
ing of the American Archbishops which is
to be held in Washington next October
might consider the matter and frame a
petition to the Vatican. 1t is not known,
however whether such a plan is being Sc
riously considered by the preiates, and
the report from the West is said to be
conjecture which may or may not prove
true. Except that plenary councils are
held every twenty years and there is
desire to make this the established period
for their assembling, there is said to be
no special occasion for such an important
convocation of church authorities.
The question of "AmericaniSm," which
has excited much attention, has been dis
posed of finally by the letter of the Pope,
and II is said this is not a subject Wnlcn
could come before a plenary council. The
condition of the church in Cuba and other
Spanish-AmeriCan countries is working
out satisfactorily, and it is said this
would not require attention from a coun-
ell, particularly as the Cuban, Porto
Rican and Philippine churches are still
outside of the American hierarchy. For
this reason the new Archbishop of San
tiago will not be present at the coming
will other branches of the Spanish-Amer-
lean churches be represented. Thus far
the American church authorities have
been given no duties in connection with
the church in Cuba. Porto Rico and the
Philippines the affairs there being direct
ed through apostolic delegates reporting
directly to Rome.
The new Apostolic Delegate to Canada
Archbishop Franconia is well known to
the church authorities here. and the ap-
pointment is regarded as an important
one, owing to the position of the church
in public affairs in Canada, particularly
in the province of Quebec. Archbishop
Franconia was brought up in Allegheny,
Pa. and for some time was connected
with the Franciscan fraternity there.
Later he was Vicar General at st. Johns,
n. b, thence going to Rome and being
advanced to a high place near the Pope.
His former residence in this country is
relied upon to make his administration
in Canada an auspiciouS one.
Archbishop Keane has started from
Rome for this country, but he will pro-
ceed slowly, making frequent visits on
the continent. and not reaching Washing
ton before October.
Mgr Martinelli. the Apostolic Delegate,
will go to the summer school at Madison,
Wis, the latter part of this month, and
will make several other visits In the
West.