Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-01-14
Information That Diocese of
Davenport Will Soon Be
Divided, Is Expected
NO OFFICIAL WORD FROM ROME
The Recommendation That the Diocese
Be Divided Was Made a Year Ago,
But No Alarm Is Yet Felt Over the
Long Delay, Which is Not un-
usual.

4
Dubuque, Jan. 14.-There have been
many rumors that the diocese of Dav-
export will soon be divided, and that
Des Moines will be the see city of tha
new diocese, but the priests al the
Iarchlepiscopal residence state that they
have received no official advices from
Rome to this effect. Information of
this nature. however is expected at
almost any time.
y year ago the suffragan bishops
of the archdiocese of Dubuque met in
this city and recommended to Rome
that the Davenport diocese be divided
and that Des Moines be made II see
city. The elevation of Bishop Scannell
of Omaha, to the archbishopric was
also recommended Altho a decision
in the matter was expected months
has yet been received from Rome,
which is construed to mean that the re-
quest of the suffragan bishops Is being
considered, or will be considered. and
that the Davenport diocese will un-
doubtedly be divided. Had unfavorabla
action on the petition been taken the
suffragan bishops would no doubt have
been SO Informed months ago.
1t is not known whether the bish-
ops will convene in this city next
month. and 1t is probable that they
Will not unless matters that require
early disposition come up.
According to Chancellor Barry of
the archdiocese of Dubuque, the new
diocese of Des Moines would have
from forty to sixty priests at the
start, and probably an increase of
twenty or thirty in the course Of
year. Altho the new diocese has a
fairly large Catholic population, 1t dos
not come up to the Dubuque. Davenport
or Sioux City dioceses In this respect,
according to population. However,
1t is recognized that there is need or
a division OF the Davenport diocese.
as Bishop Cosgrove himself feels that
his jurisdiction embraces too much ter
ritory.
III the diocese of Dubuque, accord
ing TO the last census, there were go
priests; in the Davenport diocese 100;
and Sioux City diocese about eighty.
1t is expected that In the course of
about five years that the Dubuque do
cese will have about $50 priests. Dav-
export $50 and Sioux City 100. A sim
liar proportionate increase of the num-
Der of clergy in the Des Moines diocese
is looked for.
There is much speculation as to the
most likely candidate for bishop of
Des Moines. Rev. DIR. Carroll, presi-
detn of St. Joseph's College, this city.
who was prominently mentioned as
to succeed the late Arch
bishop Hennessy. and also for the
bishopric of Sioux City, Will no doubt
be the first choice OF the priests for
the Des Moines see and his chances
to wear the inter are very promis-
Ing. Dean Mclaughlin, of Clinton, is
also candidate. but his prospects of
elevation 10 the coveted ecclesiastical
throne are not as bright as those of
Rev. DR.. Carroll.
The opinion prevails in some quar-
ters that an eastern priest, who has
won distinction in church diplomacy
Or is admired for his scholarship, will
be the first bishop Of Des Moines, an
Instance similar to that OF the eleva-
ton of Rev. DR.. Garrigan to the bish-
opric of Sioux City.
II have not the least doubt that the
diocese will be divided"
said priest connected with the arch
episcopal residence. Although we
have not received any Information as
% what action the Vatican will take
IN the petition OF the suffragan bish-
BPS, such long delays are not unusual. |
rhe recommendation Of the bishops is
probably in hands OF one of the congre-
cations and the pope will be governed !
,y its decision in the matter. We ex-
,ect to hear from Rome in the near
uture and feel that the request OF the
bishops will be granted"