The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-07-10
A PLENARY COUNtlD
Of Catholic Church officials May
Be Held in 1902.
ORDERS MUST CONE FROM ROME

Eefore Such a Council May Meet in
This Countrywide Meeting OF the
American Archbishops in October
May Frame a Petition to the Vatican,
Washington, July 1O-t Is said at
the residence of the apostolic delegate
that the reports emanating in the wese-
that plenary council of the Catholic
church of America would be held tWO
years hence are doubtless the out.
growth of the well known fact that
these councils are held about every
20 years and that two years hence will
mark the 20 year period from the timo
of the plenary council Of Baltimore.
held in 1882.
The assembling of such a council
is an event of unusual importance to
the church, as 1t brings together the
entire hierarchy of archbishops ami
bishops to frame the legislation Of the
church applicable to this country. Be-
fore it can be held, however. there
must be a due determination by the
authorities in the country, and then
direction from Rome, for the assem-
bling of the council Prior to the coun-
Gil of Baltimore the American arch-
bishops made visit to Rome and PEI
titioned the Vatican for the assem-
bling of the council. This procedure
is not essential, yet some such formal
action is required. and In case coun-
Gil is to be held In 1902 it is thought
the coming meeting of the American
archbishops, which is to be held in
Washington next October. might con-
slider the matter and frame a petition
to the Vatican. -,
II is not known, however, whether
such a plan is being seriously con-
sidered by the prelates. and the re-
port from the west Ia said to be con-
lecture, which may or may not prove
true Except that plenary councils are
held every 20 years. and there is de-
sire to make this the established Pc
riod for their assembling, there is said
to be no special occasion for such an
important convocation of church au-
thorities.
The question of "Americanism."
which has excited much attention, has
been disposed of finally by the letter
of the pope, and 1t is said this is not y
SupJtCt WHICH, COulu COHo VClOiO .
plenary council. The condition Of the
church in Cuba and other Spanish
American countries is working out
satisfactorily, and 1t is said this would
not require attention from council.
particularly as the Cuban, Porto Rican
and Philippine churches are still out
side the American hierarchy. For this
reason the new archbishop of Santiago
will not be present at the coming
meeting of American archbishops. nor
will other branches of the Spanish
American church be represented.
Thus far the American church au-
thorities have been given no duties In
connection with the church in Cuba.
Porto Rico and the Philippines the
affairs there being directed through
apostolic delegates reporting directly
to Rome.
The new apostolic delegate to Can
ada, Archbishop Franccnia, Is well
known to the church authorities here.
and the appointment is regarded as an
important one. owing to the position
of the church In public affairs in Cam
ada, particularly in the provinces 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. John, N. B..
thence going to Rome and being ad-
vanced to high place near the pope.
His former residence in this country
is relied upon to make his administers
tion In Canada an auspicious one.
Archbishop Keane has started from
Rome for this country, but he will
proceed slowly, making frequent visits
on the continent. and not reaching
Washington before October.
Mgr. Martinelli. the apostolic dele.
gate, will SO to the summer school at,
Madison, Wis, the latter part Of this
month, and will make several other
visits in the west.