The Washington times., 1902-07-28
Speculation as to Who
viii Succeed Bishop
Conaty in Fill.
NOT TO BE RENOMINATED
Pope Does Not Approve Successive Ap-
pointments - Influence in Securing
Endowments - Efficient Work Ac-
complished in Scholastic Studies.

Bishop Coasty's term as rector of the
Catholic University in this city closes
in the fall. and speculation is already
rife In university and Roman Catholic
educational circles throughout the
United States as to whom the Pope. as
the patron of the university. will decide
upon to succeed Bishop Conaty.
The term of office in the rectorship has
been limited by the episcopate TO six
years. and the Incumbent. Bishop Con-
atty. will finish his six years in October
of this year. The board of bishops, at
their annual meeting next October, will
make selection to fill Bishop Conaty's
chair as rector. The board OF bishops
have the prerogative to nominate three
qualified candidates and TO submit the
chosen names to Rome. The final Sc
lection from among the bishops choice
Of three is made by the Pope himself
Questions at Issue.
gentleman well informed In matters
pertaining to the question at issue said
yesterday:
1T is now regarded as practically GER
tain that Bishop Conaty will not be re-
nominated, and that for several rea-
sons. First of all 1t is well known that
the Pope, the paramount authority in
Catholic universities, does not regard
successive appointments with favor.
Rotation in Office" was the plea alleged
for the removal Of the first rector, Arch
bishop Keane. Again, since funds are
an eyer-present and pressing need in
all university development. it is pre-
sumed that the rector will have influence
to secure the needed endowments. Now,
while 1t is admitted that the existing
departments of the university. theology.
letters; and law have been strengthened
and made more efficient. still there has
been very little extension. no real growth
in the direction OF opening new and
needed departments. This lack of de-
velopment is due In a large measure to
the lack OF new endowments during the
last six years Moreover, DR. Conaty's
administration of the university. while
marked with wisdom and prudence, has
not been Of character TO give the uni
versity that prominence in education
the church authorities expected when
the university was founded by the pres
ent pontiff, Leo XIII. Indeed. a marked
disposition to criticise the apathy OF the
American church authorities for allow
ing the uniyersity's sphere of useful
ness to narrow is plainly evident in
Rome. for 1t must not be forgotten that
the Catholic University OF America is
destined to be among the enduring mon
nments OF Leo's pontifcate
Interests the Pope.
1T can easily be conceived. therefore,
that the deliberations of the board of
bishops at their meeting next October
yill be of absorbing interest to the Holy |
Father and the Roman authorities. A
prominent pastor recently returned |
rom Rome reports that in an interview |
With several church dignitaries he was
Questioned very minutely about the |
American University. and was told that |
he apathy of the church authorities |
lere was creating unfavorable comment. |
md that direct mandate. from Rome /
night be expected unless a more effec- |
i've interest was manifested by those in |
america who were responsible for the |
maintenance and efficiency. |
las to the names likely to be for
yarded to Rome nothing certain is |
inown. OF course. there is much specu-
alton and many possible and impossible
a andidates are mentioned. Bishop Spald-
ng's name has been mentioned; so has
bishop Mas. OF Kentucky, secretary of
he board of bishops. He. like Bishop
Dalding. is n man OF large and varied
and. like Bishop Spalding. too.
lie would be an energetic and efficient
ector. Other episcopal names are men
toned. but apart from the two already
amed there seems to be little, If any,
onsensus OF serious opinion"