The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-07-10
CATHOLIC CHURCH IFF-1IRS.
Talk of "a Plenary Council-An Event of
Unusual Importance.


Washington, July 9.-It is said at the
residence of the apostolic delegate that
the reports emanating in the west that
plenary council of the Roman Catholic
church in America would be held two
years 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 of the
plenary council of Baltimore, held in
1852. The assembling of such a council
is an event of unusual importance to the
church. as it brings together the entire
hierarchy of archbishops and bishops to
frame the legislation of the church ap-
plicable to this country. Before it can
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
to the council of Baltimore the Ameri-
can archbishops made visit to Rome
and petitioned the vatican for the as
sembling of the council. This procedure
is not essential, yet some such formal
action is required and in case a council
is to be held in 1902, ii is thought the
coming meeting of the American arch
bishops, which is to be held in WASH
ington next October, might consider the
matter and frame petition to the vati-
can. 1t is not known, however, whether
such a plan is being seriously consid-
/, 49, So, 1nrtf FRO,
the west is said to be conjectural and
may or may not prove true.
Except that plenary councils are held
every twenty years and there is a desire
to make this the established period for
their assembling, there is said to be no
special occasion for such an important
council of church authorities. The ques-
ton of 'Amercanism," which has eX-
cited much attention has been disposed
of finally by the letter of the pope, and
it is said this is not subject which
would come before a plenary council.
The condition of the church in Cuba and
other Spariish-American countries is
working out satisfactorily and it is said
this would not require attention from
council, particularly as the Cuban, Porto
Rican and Philippine churches are still
outside the American hierarchy. For
this reason the new archbishop of San
tiago 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 authorities
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 re-
porting directly to Rome.
The new apostolic delegation in Cam
ada, Archbishop F'ranconia, is well
known to the church authorities here
and the appointment is regarded IS 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 fra
teruity there Later he was vicar gem
eral at St John, N. B.. thence going to
Rome and being advanced to a high
place near the pope. His former resi-
dence in this country is relied upon to-
make his administration in Canada an
auspicious one. Archbishop Kean 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 Mar
tinelli, 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