The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-18
CONSISTORY TO BE HELD.
To Appoint Bishops for Savannah
and Columbus.

From the Philadelphia Ledger.
Washington, April 15.-The papal le-
cation in this city has been advised that
on May 20 a consistory will be held by
Pope Leo at Rome for the appointment
of bishops for the United States This
will prove an interesting announcement to
Catholics of this country, and especially
to those of Columbus, o., and Savannah
Ga, which sees have been vacant for
nearly year. 1t is expected that at the
coming consistory the members of the
Congregation of the Propaganda, that
body being clothed with authority to
make episcopal appointments, will pre-
sent the names Of several well known
clergymen to the Pope for his official en-
dorsement. Private advices received in
Washington are to the effect that the
Rev DIR. Henry Moeller, secretary of the
Archdiocese of Cincinnati, will be favor
ably considered for the See
of Columbus. while the Very
Rev. DIR. Benjamin j Kelley vicar gen
eral of the Diocese of Georgia, will be
endorsed for the vacancy at Savannah
Both these clergyman are practically the
unanimous choice of the prelates as well
as priests of the Cincinnati and Balti-
more provinces. 1t is generally the case
that the lists of candidates for vacant
sees sent to Rome by the bishops OF
American provinces conflict with those
forwarded by the "Irremovable Rectors''
of the diocese in which the vacancy oc-
ours; but in both the above cases the
leading clergy have coincided in the NOM
ination by the Bishop, and thus simph-
fed the matter. while expediting the APP
pointments.
How Candidates Are Selected.
Few persons outside of clerical circles
are aware that until a comparatively re-
cent date the selection of new prelates
devolved altogether upon the bishops of
the different provinces themselves, who,
after the death or resignation of an in
cumbent, send a list of three eligible can
didates TO Rome for papal inspection. On
this account some of the appointments
made in the past were unsatisfactory to
the priests of certain sees, and at the
third Plenary Council of Baltimore, held
in November, 1884, a decree was passed
empowering the "Irremovable Rectors' of
each diocese to have a voice in the matter
and to choose their rulers without inter-
ference from any source. 1t may be add
ed that these rectors in every Jurisdiction
are simply priests who by conciliary leg
islation have been permanently placed in
control of certain churches, owing to their
expert parochial work; and when they
unite In naming candidates for a vacant
diocese they always voice the sentiments
and wishes of their brother priests. Since
the last council gave them this privilege
the bishops lists" have sometimes an
tagonized with those of the priests. a not
able occasion having occurred in 1885,
when the choice of the prelates of this
province for the vacant see of Whining
ton, Del, was thwarted by the clergy of
that diocese, whose candidate, the present
bishop there, was appointed after not a
little friction and excitement. Drs.
Moeller and Kelley were ordained priests
in Rome, although natives of Cincinnati,
O., and Portsmouth, Va, respectively