The age-herald., 1900-03-12
THE ARCHBISHOP a7
 WAS DISAPPOINTED
Averardi Will Probably Not Re-
 turn to Mexico.
RECEPTION NOT CORDIAL
He Thinks Mexican Prelates Are Un- kindly Disposed Toward Him. Had to Seek Lodging With
 a Friendly Physician.

Mexico City, March u.-Archbishop Aver ardi, papal delegate to Mexico, will proba- bly not return here. 1t is an open secret in ecclesiastical circles that he was pro- foundly disappointed in his reception here and the scant courtesy shown him. A friend of the distinguished prelate says:
 'sWhen the papal delegate arrived it was but natural that the archbishop of Mexico should offer him hospitality, but he had to seek lodgings with an eminent and friendly physician of this capital. This gave him his first idea of the disposition of the Mex Acan prelates toward him, who was the direct representative of the holy father, and as time went on he found the disposition
 prevalent to regard him as an inter1oper, and a feeling not surely one of loyalty to the pope was manifested. It is true that on several occasions, as at private dlnhers' the papal delegate spoke his mind freely, but his warm Italian temperament ana frank disposition prompted his utterances. which were the reverse of complimentary to the native clergy.
 ..It was his opinion that the clergy here were incapable of organization, and resept- full of even the slightest interference, as they regarded it, of the holy father. Hence there grew up in his mind feeling that what was needed here was the bringing m of a large number of foreign priests, pre- ferrable French, who are popular Tn MeHlco and more inbred with modern ideas, that the hostile tone of the clerical organs here to Americans was injurious to the church, was feeling entertained by the papai oeie- gate who regretted the provincial pluaer- ness of tone which still exists and Is likely to bring about bad feeling between the United States and Mexico, for the Mexican clerical press is fairly rabid as regafds American institutions. 9.sl
 "F,ven when Catholic bishops come here on recreation they meet with only the most nerfunotory and trivial courtesy on the pa1r of the Mexican prelates with two notable exceptions-BishCp Ghl0w of OaX- aca and Bishop Montez de Oca of San LUIS rotosi There is a strong antl-Amerlcait feeling prevailing in the Mexican cnurch, and it is entirely contrary to the policy oI Rome with regard to the United States. The pope desires tne two countries to eA- ist side by side in harmony and grow III intimate friendliness. anrd this is the policy of the Diaz administration, wn1ch lsp tle liberal party administration. But what ever policy the liberal party leaders adopt is sure to be opposed by the Mexican clergy It is well known here thalt the late Archbishop Lsroastida Favored toward the close of his life the bringing in ot Amer1- can priests so as to cement the good Ieei- ing between Mexico and its great nelSh- Dor. Inese fatEs Will serve to open Ghe eyes of Catholics abroad, who are unaware Of the dense 5pinst of provincialsm sq' ol- posed to the umiversality of the church. which is its very spirit, and my view will be confirmed by the eminent Catholic pfel- ateS who have recently visited Mexico How ffle cold treatment accorded the papal delegate will be received in Rome. l don't know, but it wjl not tend to bring cardi- nal hats this way"
 What this gentleman says regarding the bitter tone of the clerical press towards the United States is true. The clerical editors appear to believe that Catholicism eEds at the Rio Grande, and beyond this is the country of intidels and 5arbarians. The liberal press is friendly and uniformly just toward the American people, and, for tunately, the liberal Journals have the largest crcula ton. although clerical daily goes all over the republic