The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-26
CARDINAL OREGLIA,
HEAD OF THE CHURCH

insistently in the precedence of class; the
other. If not then actually democratic.
at least Of democratic tendencies that
would develop with the years of his long
Pontificate. Oreglia was a conservative
of the conservatives, reactioHary al
NEST; Pecci was a liberal and most
progressive.
Had But Small Part.
Oreglia, eighteen years the junior of
Pope Leo. had been cardinal for FIVE
years when the other, in the twenty nth
year of his membership in the college,
became the successor of St. Peter. Pecci
bad been identified with important
events; Oreglia, then one of the younger
cardinals. with none such. Therefore.
bearing in mind the differences in tenn
permanent. it is easy to understand why
in the subsequent activity of Leo Greg
liza should have but small part
The result was that after the election
Oreglia retired to his study, appearing
in public only on the most important oc-
casions and when il was necessary for
him to appear in connection with his
personal appointments, first as Bishop of
Palestrina, then as Bishop of Porto and
Santa Rufna. and later as Bishop of
Ostia and Velletri. His more intimate
offices we're archchaneeIlor Of the Roman
University and Project of the Congrega-
ton OF Ceremonies-both positions fitted
to his personality and attachments In
reign such as that of Leo XIII.
Seldom at Vatican
He went seldom to the Vatican, and
1t was this fact that gave rise, few
years ago. to the famous story attaching
to his visit when an operation was per-
formed on Pope Leo and the Pontiff'
life was held as in a balance. Then
Oreglia was summoned, that he might
be on hand to perform his important
duty as Camerlengo in case the Pope
should die, and the story went out that
he came into the apartments adjoining
those where the Pontiff lay bearing the
traditional silver hammer with which
he was to strike the forehead Of the dead
Pope when calling him by name.
1t was said that when Leo. recovering.
heard of the incident, the feeling that
had existed between him and Oreglia be-
came intensified, but little credence is
given the tale, for the double reason that
the silver hammer which Oreglia might
have used in the ceremony remained al
ways in the Vatican. and that no cardi-
nal, no matter what his feeling, would
allow himself to be guilty of discourtesy
to a dying Pope.
"An Eternal Father"
Another story of Oreglia comes with |
more claim to belief That is that when
news was brought him of Leo's recovery |
from the operation he exclaimed:
When we elected him we thought |
that we were choosing Holy Father, |!
but it appears that we chose an eter-
nal father
Personally Cardinal Oreglia is exactly /
what imagination would picture him /
Tall and bent by his seventy-nve years. |
his lean figure suggests the lifelong |
student and ascetic. In facial appear !
ance the picture is carried out. Said /
one who not long ago met Oreglia and I
dined at the cardinals house:
He IS every bit the patrician. Pub 4
lished prints Of his face hardly do him /
justice. a high forehead. even before /
age made it bald combines With his /
deep set eyes and the fine lines OF the /
lower face to convey the impression Of .
a man austere. OF the utmost piety, OF .
great learning, deepest conservatism
but withal a perfect gentleman OF tie /
old school
Charming in Conversation.
when l dincd with Cardinal Oreglia.
I found him charming in conversation
and most interested in America and
American things, although his stand
point was very different from that OF the
Holy Father. He is in brief he re
cluse, the student. who, finding his ideas
OF the old-time churchmanship out OF
tune with views OF more modern
thought, withdrew from the world. al
though he watched closely its course; II
only to emerge when his solemn Office \
called him for little time into the
light. That oHice performed. he VIII \
return again, and people will forget
about him. as he no doubt desires"