The Washington times., 1903-05-06
Washington Diocese in Ses-
sion Will Approve a
Change to american
Catholic Church in the
United States
Eighth Annual Convention
Begins Today-Questions
to Be Discussed d-Bishop
Satterlee's Address.

The eighth annual convention of the
diocese of Washington opened this
morning at 10 o'clock in ST. Paul's
Church. Twenty-third Street. Bishop
Satterlee presided. Much interest cen
ters in this convention, IN that the main
point at issue viii be the considera-
tion of change OF title for the whole
Episcopal Church in America.
In his sermon this morning dealing
with the history of the Episcopal
Church in this country Bishop Satterlee
confined himself almost exclusively 10
the reasons for a change of name and
outlined the advisability of a correc-
ton Popular sentiment of members OF
the church urges the advisability OF
changing its name TO one which. in
their opinion, more aptly fits its pur-
poses.
American Catholic Church.
This would mean the final elemination
of the term Protestant Episcopal
Church" which has been in use so long
1t is the desire of communicates of the
church that the name The American
Catholic Church in the United S,1tes'
be adopted. This question will form
the most important feature of the pres
ent convention, and may be considered
before the close of this afternoons ses-
sion. though it is not likely it will be
taken up until tomorrow owing TO the
number of reports to be made
Dissatisfaction in the present title has
been felt for several years, and many eff
forts have been made to effect a change
Of name The feeling that the title is
Inadequate TO a church which traces its
lineage back NO the apostles has long
been growing. AS far back as 1914 the
question was discussed.
Invited to Discuss Question
Every diocesan convention of the
Protestant Episcopal Church in America
has been officially invited TO express an
opinion relative 10 the change. What
ever action is taken viii be in the form
of recommendation to the next general
convention, which occurs in Boston next
October. Should a correction of the name
be determined upon by that convention
II will necessarily lie over for final ac-
tion in 1907-the earliest date at whicn
the change could come into effect. This
will. at any rate. give everyone ample
opportunity to thoroughly consider the
matter.
The name Protestant Episcopal" was
never formally adopted by the church
in America, and its original use TO de-
scribe the church appears to have been
an accident. 1t was first given TO the
Episcopal Church in Maryland. and
from there extended TO the church at
large. Inasmuch as the church was
never formally named. the action of the
next general conventional it decides
TO adopt the proposed title-wiu be
merely the first formal christening of
the church in this country
Reports Received.
Reports from the various committees
representing the churches which come
under the supervision OF the bishop were
read, and before the close of the after
noon session today il is expected that
elections for the coming year will be
made. These will include the election OF
a secretary and his assistants.
The present secretary is the Rev. Ar
thur S. Johns, rector of Christ Church.
Southeast, and his administration of the
duties OF the Office has been so satisfac-
tory that it is confidently expected he
will be reelected. : new advisory
board 10 the bishop will also be ap-
pointed.