The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-07-10
TALK OF A PLENARY COUNCIL.
NOT KNOWN WHETHER ONE WILL
BE HELD N 1902.

Customary TO Call Such Councils Of
the Catholic Church in America
Every Twenty Xears-Last One WAS
Held in BaItimorc-DenIs with
Legislative Matters-The American
Church Not Yet Connected with
That in Cuba and Porto Rico.
Washington. July 9-It is said at the
residence of the apostolic delegate that the
reports emanating frop the West that a
plenary council of the Catholic Church in
America would be held two years hence.
are doubtless the outgrowth of the wei
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 couu-
ell at 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 the archbshops and bishops to frame
the legislation of the church applicable to
this country.
Before it can be held however, there
must be a due determination by the au-
thoriues in the country. and then direc
ton from Rome for the assembling of the
council.
Prior to the council of Baltimore the
American archbishops made visit to
Rome and petitioned The Vatican for the
assembling Of the council This procedure
is not essential, Yet some such formal ac-
ton is required and in case council IS
to be held i'll 1892, it is thought the coming
meeting of the American bishops which
Is TO be held in Washington next october
might consider the matter and frame a
petition to The Vatican. Ii 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
conjecture which may or may not prove
true.
Except that plenary councils are held
every twenty years, and there is a de-
cree TO make this the established period
for their assembling there is said 10 be
no special occasion for such an important
convention of church authorities.
The question of "Americanism" which
has excited much atten ion has been dis
posed of finally by the letter of the Pope.
and il is said this is not a subject which
could come before a plenary council.
The Church in Cuba.
The condition of the church in Cuba and
! other Spanish-American countries Is
| working out satisfactorily, and ii is said
| this will not require attention from a
! council particularly as the Cuban, Porto
! Rican and Philippine churches are still
| outside the American hierarchy. For this
| reason the new Archbishop of Santiago
| viii not he present a the coming meet
! ing of American archbishops, nor will
! other branches of the Spanish-Amerioan
| church be represented.
Thus far the American church
authorities have been given no
! duties in connection with the
! churches in Cuba, Porto Rico and
the Philippines the affairs there being di-
| rected through apostolic delegates report
| ing directly to Rome.
| The new apostolic delegate to Canada,
Archbishop Franconia, is well known to
| the church authorities here, and the ap-
pointment is regarded as an important one
| owing 10 the position of the church in puo-
| lie affairs in Canada, particularly in the
| province of Quebec. Archbishop Franco
MIA was brought up in Allegheny Pa,
| and for some time was connected with the
| Franciscan Fraternity there. Later he
was vicar general at st. Johns, New
| Brunswick then he went to Rome and
was advanced to a high place near the
Pope. His former residence in this coun-
| Try is relied upon 10 make his adminstra-
ton in Canada and auspicious 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 Washington
| before October.
Nonseigneur Martlnern, the apostolic
delegate, will go TO The summer school at
Madison, Wis the latter part Of this
month. and viii make several other visits
in the West.