The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-10
A COUNCIL OF CATHOLICS
They Have Been Held Every
Twenty Years.
AN EVENT OF IMPORTANCE
If Convened 1t Will Probably Meet in
1eo2-The American Archbishops
May Consider the
Matter.

Washington, July 9.-It 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
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 time
from the plenary council of Baltimore,
held in 1882.
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-
picable to this country. Before it can
De held, however, there must be a due
determination by the authorities in the
country, then direction from Rome Cor
the assembling of the council. Prior to
the council of Baltimore, the American
archbishop made a visit to Rome and
petitioned the vatican for the assem-
bling of the council This procedure is
not essential. yet some formal action is
required, and in case a council is to be
held in 1902 1t is thought the coming
meeting OF the American arch bishops,
which is to be held in Washington next
October, might consider the matter and
frame petition to the vatican. 1t is
not known, however, that such a plan
is being seriously considered by the pre-
lates, and the report from the West is
said to be conjecture which may or
may not prove true. Except that plen-
airy councils are held every 20 years and
there is desire to make this the cs-
tablished 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 disposed of finally by the letter
of the pope, and it is said this is not
subject which could come before q plen-
| airy 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 council, particularly
as the Cuban, Porto Rican and Philip
pine churches are still outside of 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
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 di-
rected through apostolic delegates re-
| porting directly to Rome. The new
| apostolic delegate to Canada, Arch
bishop Franconia is well known to the
| church authorities here, and the APP
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 Allie
| cheney, Pa, and for some time was con-
| nected 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 suspicious
| one
Archbishop Keane has started from
Rome for this country, but he will pro-
! coed slowly, making frequent visits on
| the continent and not reaching Wash
| ington before october.
Mgr Martinelli, the apostolic dele
| gate, will go to the summer school at
| Madison, Wis, the latter part of this
month and will make several other WIS.,
| its in the West.