The times., 1899-07-31
MGR. FALcoN1o D1eN1F1Ep.
An American Appointed Apostolic
Delegate to Canada

New York July 3o.-In the present acute
state of the diplomatic controversy between
the United States and Canada the notable
fact that the Pope has recently appointed
an American citizen head OF the Catholic
Church in the Dominion seems to have es-
capped general observation.
The prelats who has been designated as
Apostolic Delegate-the same position that
Mgr Martinelli holds here-ls Mgr. Do
mede Falconio, o. S. F., Archbishop Of
ARENA and Marcia, in Italy. For years
he served as professor and president at
st. Bonaventure's, the college of his order.
at Allegany. n Y. Subsequently he did
parish work in st. Anthony's Church, in
Sullivan Street. this city.
1t was during his residence at Allegany
that Mgr. Falconio became citizen. Speak
ing of the fact, his old friend and associate.
Father Anacletus o. S. F., pastor of the
Sullivan Street Church, says:
He received his papers at Little Valley,
n. Y, the county seat of Cattaraugus
county. He and l voted for President In
1872 / remember that quite well. because
I cast my vote for Horace Greeley. Arch
bishop Falconio is q fine and sturdy Ameri-
can citizen"
Mgr. Falconio Is expected to arrive end
take up his official residence at Ottawa
early in August He will bring an irish
Franciscan friar with him as his secretary.
His authority as the personal represen-
tative of the Pope will be supreme in eccle-
siastical matters. His coming is the re-
suit of the mission of investigation maze
in Canada two years ago by the special
envoy of the Pope. Mgr. Merry Del Val,
who was sent over when there was so much
religio-political turmoil in the Dominion
! over the Manitoba school question and the
issues its attempted settlement raised
there.
At the time the apostolic delegation vas
established at Washington Mgr. Falconio
was the first slated for the office, which
| later was given to Mgr. Satolli. He !peaks
French as well as italian and English, and
| is personally distinguished by his learn
ing, eloquence and graceful bearing.
| Mgr Falconio was born In 1872. at
| Pescocostango, Italy. In 1860 he Joined
| the Franciscan order of friars minor, ald
| five years later was sent to the United
States as teacher of classics at st. Bona
ventures College. Allegany. N Y. He was
ordained priest the following year. He
remained in the college for several years,
| and was then sent to assist the Bishop OF
/ Harbor Grace Newfoundland.
In this diocese he labored as vicar gen.
eral and administrator till 1870. when he
| returned to New York and spent some time
| in the Sullivan Street parish. A desire to
see his aged parents took him back to
Italy. His expected return to New YORK
was prevented by appointments to various
offices in the Franciscan order, culminat-
ing in that of procurator general. His sig
ral success in all these made him nota-
BILE figure in ecclesiastical circles at Rome.
ard finally the Pope appointed him, in
1892, Archbishop OF Acrenza, see that
needed a strong head. He applied to his
charge the business principles and methods
he had learned in this country, and the
seemingly great difficulties vanished. 1t
was well understood in the Roman curia
that he was regarded as star man held
in readiness for big diplomatic mission.