New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-10
PLENARY COUNCIL RUMORS.
POSSIBILITY OF MEETING OF ROMAN
CATHOLIC DELEGATES.
No,sPECIAL NEED FOR AN AssEMBLY-CoN,
pITIoN OF THE CHURCH IN NEW
POSSESSIONS - GATHERING
OF ARCHBISHOPS.


Washington July Sit is said at the home OF the
Apostolic Delegate that the reports emanating In
the West that e Plenary Council Of the Roman
Catholic Church in America would be held two
years hence doubtless the outgrowth OF the
well known fact that these councils held about
every twenty years and that two years hence will
mark the twenty year period from the time OF the
plenary Council OF Baltimore held in 1892
The assembling OF such Council Is event OF
unusual Importance to the Church as 1t brings to-
gether the entire hierarchy OF Archbishops and
Bishops TO frame the legislation OF the Church
applicable 10 this country Before II be held,
however. there must be due determination by
the authorities In the country and then direction
from Rome. for the assembling OF the Council
Prior 10 the Council Of Baltimore the American
Archbishops made visit 10 Rome and petitioned
the Vatican for the assembling OF the Council
This procedure Is not essential, yet such
formal action is required and in case Council il
10 be held in 1902 IL is thought the coming meet
ing OF the American Archbishops. which is 70 be
held in Washington next October. might consider
the matter and frame a petition 10 the Vatican II
IS not known. however. whether such plan is being
seriously considered by the prelates. and the re-
port from the West is said to be conjecture which
may or may not prove true. Except that Plenary
Councils held every twenty years. and there Is
q desire 10 make this the established period for
their assembling there is said to be special
occa sion for such important Council OF Church
authorities.
The question Of "Americanisin." which has ex-
cited much attention, has been disposed Of finally
b. the letter Of the Pope and II is said that this Is
not a subject which could come before Plenary
Council The condition Of the Church in Cuba and
other Spanish-American countries is working out
satisfactorily and " IL said this would not require
attention from a Council. particularly az 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 the Spanish American
Church be represented 49,, -.
Thus far the American Church authorizes nave
had no duties In connection with the Churcn IN
Cuba Porto Rico and the Philippines, the affairs
there being directed through Apostohe Delega'es
reporting directly to Rome -,
The new Apostolic Delegate in Canada Arch-
bishop FrancOnia is well known 10 the Churcn
suthorities here and the appointment Is regarded
es an Important owing 70 the position OF the
Cburcb In public affairs in Canada. particularly IN
the Province Of Quebec. Archbishop francohla
Was brought up IN Allegheny. Penn. and foI some
tine was connected with the franciscan fratsr-
rifv there. Later he Nicar-General al 81
John y b. thence going TO Rome ana oelng ad-
r,anced 70 a high place near the pope. his FORMER
resii ence IN this country is relied upon 10 make
his admin .stratiJn In Canada an suspicious one
Archbishop keane has started from Rome, IOr
freauent visits on the Continent and not reaching
Washington before October III,
Nonsignor Martinen. the Apostolic Delegate VIII
On 20 the summer school at Madison. WIS, the
iater mart OF this month. and Will make several
other visits IN the West