Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-07-10

Al THE COMING MEETING OF
AMERICAN ARCHBISHOPS.
WASHINGTON, July st 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 we'll known fact that
these councils 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 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
applicable to this country. Before it
can be held, however, there most be a
due determination by the authorities
in the country, and then direction from
Rome for the assembling of the Coun-
Gil.
Prior to the Council of Baltimore the
American archbishops made a visit to
Rome and petitioned the Vatican for
the assembling 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, it
is thought the coming meeting of the
American archbishops, which is to be
held in Washington e October,
might consider the matter and frame a
petition to the Vatican. 1t is not
known, however, whether such a plan
is being seriously considered by the
prelates, and the report from the West
is said to be a conjecture which 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 as
sembling, there is said to be no special
occasion for such an important convo-
cation 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 a
subject which could come before a
Plenary Council. The condition of the
church in Cuba and other Spanish?
American countries is working out sat
isfactorily, and it is said this would
not require attention from a 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
viii not be present at the coming meet
ing of American archbishops, nor will
other branches of the Spanish-Ameri-
can 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 af-
fairs there being directed through
apostolic delegates reporting directly
to Rome.
The new apostolic delegate to Can,
ada, Archbishop Franconia, is well
known to the church authorities here,
and the appointment is regarded as ar
important one, owing to the position
of the church in public affairs in Can
ada, particularly in the province 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, New
Brunswick, 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 auspic-
ious 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.
Monsignor Martinelli, 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.
CT EDT XyIVII A CNkKE