The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1903-05-02
AN IMPORTANT EVENT.
Such was the Recent Meeting of the
Catholic Hierarchy.

Catholic Hierarchy.
William r. Curtis, in special to the
Chicago Record Herald, has the follow
ing to say in reference to the appoint
ment of Mgr. O'Connell as rector of
the Catholic university:
The meeting of the Roman Catholic
hierarchy in Washington last week,
at which all of the archbishops in the
United States except three, and many
of the bishops, We're present, was in
some respects the most notable and i'm
portant gathering of the kind that has
ever occurred in this country. The oc-
casion was marked by the installation
of Mgr Dennis O'Connell as rector of
the Catholic university, which in it.
self is an event Of great significance
for only few years ago he was de-
posed from the rectorship of the Amer
lean college at Rome because of his
liberal views and his "Americanism,"
as it is called.
DR.. O'Connell is one of the most
liberal as we'll as one of the most
learned and able men in the Roman
church-practical, progressive, devoted
to his work and profound in his schol-
arship. His selection as rector of the
university at Washington was made
by the pope himself without sugges-
tion or recommendation from his
friends. 1t was intended as vindica-
ton of America and priest whose
conduct under trying circumstances
won the admiration and the confidence
of the authorities at the Vatican. 1t
is also significant as the recognitio0
of the growing liberal element in the
Church. There will be no change in
the policy Of the university, however.
The wisdom and ability of DR.. Conaty,
the recent rector, is appreciated, and
DR.. O'Connell will continue to carry
on the affairs of the institution on the
same lines that DIR. Conaty himself
would, except where time and exper-
fence may develop reasons for changes.
The same correspondent says also in
reference to recent developments in
Church affairs in the Philippines:
Another important event was re-
port upon the condition Of the Catho-
lie Church in the Philippines made 70
the archbishOps by Rev. Father Ed
ward Nattmann, formerly of Chicago
and the senior of the eleven Roman
Catholic chaplains in the United States
army. The information submitted by
Father Nattmann and his recommended
tons were considered so important
that he has been instructed to pro-
coed 10 Rome and report in person to
the propaganda tida, which has charge
of affairs in the Philippines, and has
been granted leave of absence for that
purpose by the secretary of war.
The archbishops of the United
States, however, have great confidence
in the ability and wisdom of Mgr.
Guid, the apostolic delegate, who was
sent from Rome to the Philippines
last year, and have faith that he
will be able to direct the affairs of the
Church so as to counterfeit and defeat
the Independent movement.
Mgr. Guidi is a member of the liber-
al faction, resided for long time in the
United States and is thoroughly sym
pathetic with American institutions
and the spirit Of progress in religious
as well as secular affairs. He dis
tinguished himself twelve years ago
in readjusting the relations Of the
Catholic church in Brazil to the new
regime after the foundation of the re-
public, and there introduced the
methods of the church in this coun-
try.
While the archbishops would have
preferred the selection of an Ameri-
can for this important position, they
believe that Mgr. Guidi comes very
near that description, and they have
been greatly gratified at the appoint
ment Of Bishop Montgomery of Cali
fornia as archbishop of Manila, and
those Of DR.. Frederick Rocker and
Father Denis j. Daugherty as bishops.
DIR. Rocker is the son Of the former
publisher of the New York Tribune,
was born in Albany, educated in New
York City and the American college
at Rome and has been secretary of the
papal legation in Washington ever
since it was established. He is
young man of great talents, and his
ideas and sympathies are thoroughly
American. Father Daugherty is still
younger than DR.. Rocker. He was
born in Philadelphia. educated in that
city and at the American college In
Rome, and is now member of the
faculty Of the Catholic college at Over
brook, Pa. While neither Of these
young bishops has ever performed the
duties Of regular pastorate, both are
Hotcu loi 1cttllllhS, ttcl allu executive
ability.
Bishop Montgomery has declined the
appointment of archbishop of Manila,
and Mgr. Falconio, the apostolic legate
to Washington, has gone to California
by order OF the pope to try and per-
suade him to accept the responsibility