The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-04
Second Red Hat viii Not Come
During Life Of Present Cardinal
THE POLICY OF THE VATICAN
Against President 10 Appoint More Than
One Cardinal alta Time 10 Mis-
slonary Country.

Baltimore Nov. At was announced
here by prominent official OF the
Catholic church connected with the Car
dinafs suite that thcre will be no ap-
poiutmrut OF uu additionat Amerfrun car
dinal during the lifetime OF Cardinal
Gibbons. In line with the custom of the
vatican not to appoint more than one
member OF the Sacred college In a mis-
sionary country at one time or to have
more than one member OF the college in
such Jurisdiction at one time, for rea-
sons of policy as well an propriety.
This high ecclesiastio. who is in a po-
sitiof to be familiar with the views of
the Vatican relative to such matters,
said today that thsre would be no other
wearer of the red hat In this country
during the lifetime OF Cardinal Gibbons. a
circumstance which was only rendered the
stronger by the booming OF certain pre-
lates for the honor by their friends and
we'll wshers
Because OF this constant mentioning by
persons I'm the press and otherwise of
certain archbishops for cardinalate hon
ors there was also no intention on the
part OF the Pope to select any American
preiate for the princely dignity as to
do so would only irritate the partisens OF
the unsuccessful prelates and create pos
sible dissatisfaction.
IN LINE WITH PRECEDENT.
The action OF the Vatican authorities
on this matter, II action IL can be styled.
has not been In accordance IL appears
with any request from the United States,
but in line with established custom OF q
century or more.
For instance, there has been but one
cardinal In this country at any time.
and only one In Canada. During the
lifetime OF Cardinal McCloskey other pre-
lates were often mentioned as possible
wearers of the red hat. but no one was
appointed by the Vatican until after the
death OF the venerable bishop of New /!
York, when Cardinal Gibbons was hon
ored. !
1t seems to be argued by the Roman |
authorities that to have more than one |
cardinal In this country would promote /
a division OF the distinction, and per- |
haps engender unpleasantness, particu-
larry IL one cardinal was from the east |
and the other from the west.
The same course which was pursued |
In the case OF Cardinal McCloskey will |
be taken In relation to Cardinal Gibbons,
whose appointment was entirely due to /
his great services TO the church In con-
nection with the P!enary Council, and |
as writer and publicist
IL is amusing, says the authority In /
question, how importunate have been GER |
tain persons In the United States con- |
cerning the appointment of an additional |
cardinal, and how representations have |
been made by parties, without any var |
rant from the prelates concerned, in the |
interest of this or that churchman
Bishops, priests and laymen bound TO |
Europe have been solicited to lay the |
claims of this or that prelate before per- |
sons attached TO the Vatican court, and |
In many instances tourists have been |
bold enough to make representation on |
their own account to officials OF the |
and have spent time in set |
ting forth the claims OF certain prelates |
and of the Sees which they occupy to the |
distinction OF cardinalate honor.
MORE AMUSED THAN ANNOYED.
These representa- tions have always been |
listened to patiently by the Vatican |
because they understand the |
ways OF Americans and know that IL Is |
the custom OF our people to indulge in |
the booming of the persons they esteem |
for office without making any apology |
for the same and without any intention |
Of violating traditions
In many cases the officials spoken TO |
have been more familiar with the merits |
OF the prelates whose claims were urged |
than the persons who were doing the |
bee#iRs-- Generally y-speakHR,- the I
methods adopted by these boomers have |
aroused amusement instead of annoyance |
among the Vatican officials.
The often repeated announcement hat 4
Cardinal Gibbons Is likely TO be consid- |
cred In the making OF the next Pope and |
that he has chance OF being the sue
cessor OF Pope Leo, has been an infinite |
source OF annoyance TO Ills Emnence |
who has not hesitated to declare his dis
gust with such statements owing to |
the fact that there is not the remotest |
possibility OF an American being chosen,
and also because II might be supposed |
In Rome that such announcements were |
by himself.