The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-29
WAITING ON THE VATICAN.
sAVANNAH's NEW BISHOP MAY BE
ANNOUNCED NEXT MONTH.

Roman Catholics in Georgia Look
UBOn Vicar General Kelley rs the
Coming Head of the Diocese-Tae
Deliberations of the Vatican Al
ways Conducted With Deiibera tion
and 1t May Be some Time Yet Be
fore bishop VIII he Named-Thv
Cardinals ON Their Vacations Now,
But the College viii Convene in
November
The Catholic population Of Savannah
and many non-Catholics as well are stin
awaiting with anxious interest the an
rouncement from the Vatican of the name
Of the successor of the late Bishop Becker
II is now more than two months since the
consultors of the diocese met TO ascertain
the wishes of The clergy of the vacant see
and forwarded three names, as required
by ecclesiastical law, for consideration by
the bishops of the province, who in turn
forwarded three names of their selection
to the papal propaganda at Rome There
are the best reasons for believing
that the name of Rev. 3. ]. Kelley, vicar
general of the diocese, was one of the
three, and in all probability The first on
the list. 1t is also thought that Rev
Father Thomas, rector of the Cathedral
at Baltimore, was one of the number.
\ gentleman, who is well posted in Cath
Ollie affairs, said yesterday that it is rea-
sonable TO expect that some hing win be
heard from Rome next month. These Sc
lectOns are always conducted with DELHI
Grafton" he said. In the first place, it Is
the duty of the junior bishop of the prov
ince to gather all The Information obtain
able concerning the lives and character
of the three men whose names have been
decided upon for submission to the propa-
ganda which is forwarded at the same
time with the names. 1t takes some time
to gather this information, and The prob
ability Is that the names have rot been
in Rome very long,
Another good reason why nothing has
been heard in the matter is that the car
dinals who compose the papal college at
Rome take their annual vacations in Sep
TENDER and October The college will
convene again next month, and the mat
ter will then receive consideration. Per
sonally, I do not expect that there viii
be any unusual delay in naming the new
bishop, and I an satisfied that the choice
will be one which win give great salts
faction to the people of Savannah. have
j. .
Father Kelley has been highly recommend
ed to the propaganda as worthy success
sor 10 the vacant bishopric, and I conf
IDENTIFY believe that his will be the name
which will be announced to us by Cardinal
Gibbons at an early date, perhaps within
the next thirty days. 1t is hardly neces
sary 10 state that Father keileys selec-
ton would be entirely satisfactory to the
Catholics of Savannah and of Georgia and
doubtless to many friends, as well, out
side of the church He is well qualified
for the position in every way. A thor
ough scholar a refined gentleman and a
Southerner, as well as an able administra-
tor and possessing a thorough knowledge
of the affairs of the diocese, what further
qualifications could be required?'
That this estimate of Father Kelley and
his fitness for the position meets with
general Endorsement in Savannah ana
wherever else he is known hardly needs
to be asserted and it is sincerely to be
hoped that the gentleman Is not mistaken
in his demonstration.