Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-07-10
PLeNARY COUNCIL RUMORS.
Not Yet Decided 10 Hold One. Though Held
Every 20 Years.

Washington, July Sit is said at tn
residence OF The Apostolic delegate thai
the reports cmanatinS in the West that
a plenary council of the Catholic church
in America would he held. lwo year
hence are doubtless the outgrowth of the
well-known fact that these councils are
held about every 20 years and TWO years
hence will mark the 2o-Ncar period from
the time Of the plenary council Of Balt-
more. in 1872.
The assembling OF such a council Is an
event Of unusual importance to tho
church, as 1t brings together the entire
hierarchy of aTchbishops and bishops TO
frame the Legislation of the church ip-
plicablc 10 this country. Before it can ne
held, however. there mus. be Il due de
termination by The authorities IN th.S
country and chen direction from Rom"
for ,,c assembling Of the council. Prior
to the council Of Baltimore The Americas
archbishops made ViSit - Rome ana
prtitioncd the Vatican Tor the assembling
| of the council
This procedure Is not essential We.
some such formal action is required ami
| in case council - 40 lac hc!d. III I?o-
| it is thought the coming meeting al the
American archbiShupS which lS TO be
| held in Washington. next Dctnber. might
| consider the matter and fran" Il petition
| to the Vatican. ii Is not known. now
ever, whether such a plan Is pe'aS ser III
| ou:Iy considered by The prelat"S. ana the
| report from the West is said To be coll
| lecture which may or may NOT prove true
| Except that plrnary councils are held
| every % wears ana there is a desire to
| make this the established period for Then
| assembling. there is said 10 be no special
| occasion for such an important council Of
| church authorities. The question Of
| Amer!caniSm which has excited much at
| t,ntion has finally been disposed Of by the
letter of The Pope ana ii is said this 5
| NOT a subicc: which vii! come before the
| nlcnary council.
The condition uf the church in Cuba
aud other spanish American countries Is
working out satisfactorily ana II Is sa!t
| This would not require attention from =
council. particularly as the cuban. Porto
Rican and Philippine churches are stu
outside the American hierarchy. For this
reason the new archbishop u Santla%"
viii not be present at thu coming NEE! inS
| of American archbishops, nor will other
branchc. of the Spln.sh-Amer.can church
| be represented.
Thus far the American church authori-
ties have been gwen no duties in comm
ton with the church in cuba, Porto RE
and the Philippines, the affairs there be
ing directed through Apostolic delegates
reporting directly 10 Rome.
The new Apostolic delegate TO canada.
| Archbishop Frdncona. Is well known |"
the church authorities here and tn" ap-
| pointmcnt is regarded - an Important
| one owing To III" position of the ChufCn
i'm public affairs IN Canada. particulars
in The province Of quebec. Archbishop
Fraucona was brought UP in Allegheny;
Pa and for some time was connected
! with the Franciscan fraternity thrr--
Later he was vicar general n St. John
n b. thence going t. Rome anr h'INs
advanced 10 a nigh place near the f"p5
liz rnrtnrr residence IN this country il
rolled upon to make hi administration IN
Canada an suspicious one.
ROM far this country but he will pro
coed SLOWLY. making freuucn; visits on
The continent and no. reaching Washing
MET. Mart,AleIIi. the Apostolic ueicGa,c
will 90 to the summer school AT Madison
} Wis. the latter par, of this month, am
will make several other visits III the
| West.