The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-07
They Are Trying to Induce the
Pope to Change His Decision
in the Matter.
ORDERS ALL POWERFUL
Their Influence So Great that the
Church in the Philippines
May Suffer.
REJOICING AT VATICAN
Over the Proposed Large Pilgrim
age of American Catholics
to Rome.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special 10 the Indianapolis Journal.
ROME, Feb. cit was understood several
weeks ago that the money to be received
from the United States in payment for the
friars' lands in the Philippines was TO re-
main in the islands and be invested In
some American financial institution for the
support of the church in the archipelago;
especially for those parishes which were
administered by the friars and whose only
revenue was the income of the lands. Such
pressure has been brought to bear by the
orders and their friends that some change
in the disposition of the money is not inn
probable The matter is now being consid-
cred by the Pope, and is giving him con-
siderable trouble. The Roman representa-
tives of the friars have strenuously fought
for their absolute right TO the possession
of the money. which, they claim, should
be divided among the four orders whose
land was acquired by the American authori-
ties.
a phase of the difficulty is found in the
recent presentation to the Pope by Cardi-
nails Martinelli and Wives Tuto of the
respective claims of the Augustinians and
the Recollettos. Their protests We're backed
by the generals of the Jesuit and the Do
minican orders and the assertion was
strongly made that the religious orders
have right to at least a part of the money.
1t is thought here that the Pope will have
to recognize the claims of the orders, at
least in part, as the orders in question are
not only powerful in the church, but are
protected by immemorial privileges which
even the Pope cannot disregard. At the
same time, Mgr Guidi, the apostolic dele
+ta
can bishops there, are urging the endow
ment of the church in the islands. because
the people are too poor TO support the
church and have not been educated to con-
tribute for church support as for centuries
Spanish government. While no decision has
yet been reached, it Is the opinion in Rome
that the funds will be divided; some part
ward the support of the church in the
Philippines.
AMERICAN PILGRIMS.
Just at present there is open rejoicing at
the Vatican because of word just received
here of the pilgrimage of a large number
OF American Catholics now being organ
lied in the United States by Mr.. McCrane.
of New York, who led the last pilgrimage
of American Catholics to Rome. the pill
grirns being the first be received by
the present Pope. The occasion Of the pres
ent pilgrimage is the Jubilee of the Def
milton of the Immaculate Conception, the
fiftieth anniversary of which occurs this
year. The American pilgrimage is under
stood 10 have recruits not only from New
York, but from the whole eastern part of
the United States. and to have arranged to
leave New York in time TO arrive in Rome
for the celebrations of Holy Week, when
the splendid ceremonials in Roman churches
will be especially attractive to the mem
bers of the party. Easter Sunday will be
spent in Rome and the services at st.
Peters will be attended by the pilgrims.
The audience with the Pope will occur il
is expected, Easter Monday.
The bishops of the church throughout the
world have been recently informally adj
vised that Pope Plus Y would be gratified
to receive pilgrims of all nationalities,
especially during this jubilee year. Ac-
cordingly Catholic officials all over the
world are encouraging the organization of
parties to come to Rome and do honor TO
the new Pope. Although these pilgrimages
are not primarily organized for financial
reasons. 1t is felt here they will help relieve
the financial situation, as it is customary,
when pilgrims are received by the Pope.
that special offerings of Peters Pence are
made. The pilgrimages, especially the
American one. are therefore expected to do
much for the Vatican finances.
That this financial assistance will be well
come is evident from the fact that great
economies have been instituted in the Vat
lean branch of the administration of the
church. An endeavor is being made TO
keep expenses within the limits of the GER
tain and probable income, which, alto
gether are estimated at less than one and
a half millions of dollars, while annual ex-
penses of the Holy See usually amount to
over two millions. Plus x is personally very
keen regarding these administrative
forms. and desires first to be sure of his
ground before contracting expenses that
might lead to inroads upon the invested
funds of the Holy See. the annual income
of which, together with the revenue from
Vatican property, does not reach half
million dollars a year.
NO MORE SUBSIDIES.
OF the many economical measures recent
ly introduced in the Vatican, the one most
commented upon in Rome is a declaration
issued through Cardinal Respighi, the vicaI
general. notifying all parish priests of
Rome that the Pope desires il to be under
stood that hereafter no more subsidies will
be granted by the apostolic eemosineria,
because of the condition of Vatican finances.
The document caused CONSERVATION here,
because many priests and a large number
of poor people in the parishes have for years
received sums of money at regular intervals
from the Vatican charity department. An
other economic measure has been the abo-
lition of the subsidies formerly granted by
Plus TX and Leo XIII, to many OF the Cath
Ollie papers OF Italy. This will cause some
of the official mouthpieces of the church TO
have a hard struggle to keep alive, because
of the limited number of their subscribers
among the native Italians. The Osserva-
tore Romano Will be the only Vatican pa
per that will continue to receive help from
the Pope, and this because Vatican au-
thorities find Ii absolutely necessary 10 pre-
serve at least one official organ for the au-
thoritative PRONUNCIATION of DEGREES.
Considerable surprise has been occasioned
by the announcement that the enormous
collection of presents made TO the late Pope
Leo on the occasion of his jubilee is to be
sold at public auction by order OF the pres
ent Pope. The articles have been lying for
years in Vatican storehOuses. OF no use TO
the church. and the Pope deems IL best 10
realize their value. Church articles. like
chalices and vestments, have already been
distributed among the poorer churches of
Italy, the number OF applications from them
being so many that the supply was ex-
hausted a few days after the distribution
was announced. The remaining articles con-
sist of objects of art. such paintings
and statues. not good enough for the Vat
lean museums and galleries. a collection of
embalmed birds from Brazil. furs. ethnolog-
ical collections from savage nations, an
immense collection of canned goods. prin-
cipally from America, and numerous ar
ticles of jewelry and unmounted precious
stones. The auction will be held toward
the end OF this month in one OF the Vatican
halls. and will be presided over by prelates
and lay members OF the administrative de-
partment. The proceeds of the sale Will be
invested as part OF the general fund OF the
Holy See. OSSERVATORE.