The Wichita daily eagle., 1904-01-28
CARDINAL MERRY DEL PAL.

L.
The dominant personality at the Vati-
can outside, and perhaps in some re-
spects almost equal to. that of Pope
Plus X. himself is that of Cardinal Mer-
~ del Val, the Apostolic Secretary of
State.
Only thfrty-eight years of age. he has
been chosen to fill what is perhaps the
most onerous and responsible Office in
Christendom; and chosen by the most
critical and Vigorously exacting of all
elective bodies, the College of Cardinals
For although the position of Cardinal
Secretary of State is nominally conferred
by the act Of the Supreme Pontiff him
self, the recipient of the office is really
determined upon by a council of the rul-
ing members of the College OF Cardinals
in conference with His Holiness.
For one so young to have emerged sue
cessfully a competition in which he was
pitted against the ablest and most dis
tinguished and ambitious ecclesiastics of
the Roman Catholic church is of itself
sufficiently striking testimony to the in
f1uence he had gained in the councils of
the Vatican. But when it is further borne
in mind that he won this high office
although not an Italian it will be recog-
nized that his must be personal force to
be reckoned with in the future history of
the Papacy.
He has not a drop of Italian blood in his
veins On his fathers side he has a large
share of Irish blood, while his mother
was a Miss Zuluetta. the daughter of a
once famous Spanish banker and finan-
cier having an important branch of his
establishment in London.
The name Merry del Val is an Iberian-
ized version of the names of his grand
father and great grandmother, both of
whom We're Irish. A Mr.. Merry emigrated
from Waterford to Spain at the end of
the eighteenth century, his mothers
name being Wall When he had thorough
~ settled down in Spain and won con-
siderable position for himself there in the
army he adopted, the custom of the coun-
try and called himself Merry del Val.
When the future Cardinal was mere
youth his father was appointed Spanish
ambassador to Great Britain, and his son
received the rudiments of his education
at the Catholic college of Usbaw in Dur
ham. Thus his earliest associations We're
English. He speaks English like native
and also excels in Spanish, Italian Ger
man and French.
Entering the church he had great in
f1uence to back his brilliant abilities He
got an appointment at the Vatican. and
soon won the warm esteem and admira-
tion of the late Pope. y born eccIesiastic,
he devoted himself with whole-hearted
tunities open to him he made himself
silent but at the same time an active
agent in the government of the church
during the lifetime of Pope Leo. who con-
suited him in all difficult and important
matters OF church policy.
He was barely thirty when he was chos-
en- for delicate mission to Canada.
where with the dignified office of Pa
pal Legste, he was vested with dis
creation to deal with educational and
other church problems requiring decision
and firmness as well as great diplomatic
skill He acquitted himself with distnc-
ton, and the Pope was anxious to give
his brilliant young protege rapid pre-
ferment
When the Illness Of Cardinal Vaughan
tpth d AdNoA turn. 4hOtlStSliot dti
Val was sent to London with a view to
his being eventually nominated as sue
cessor to the Archbishopric of Wessmin-
ster and. of course, the Cardinalate. But
although Monsignor Mary del Val was to
all intents and purposes. as far as educa-
ton and sympathies went an English
man. the English Catholic hierarchy and
clergy. backed by powerful lay influence.
proved so hostile TO his candidature-
never named but thoroughly understood
that he returned 20 Rome. Cardinal
Vaughan was entirely in his favor. and
the failure Of a wish which be knew lay
very near the heart cf Pope Leo weighed
greatly on the amiable Cardinal in his
closing days.
He was however. reserved for q greater
position. for on his return to Rome the
Pope showered further marks OF conf
dence and esteem upon him 1t is recent
history that when the Conclave assem-
bled to elect Pope Leos successor. Mon
signor Merry del Val was chosen as its
secretary, an once that always entities
its holder to nomination to the College OF
Cardinals. as one OF the first acts Of the
new Pope. But new precedent was set
In his case. for not only was he appointed
a Cardinal. but in due time. having van
quished all his rivals he was named for
the most important Office IN the Vatican
next to the pontifcal office itself
There is something peculiarly impress
sive IN Monsignor Gel Nal's face. with its
dark. contemplative. but penetrating eye;
the high intellectual forehead. the long.
straight. deterTnined-lo looking nose. the icy
unennotional mouth. the firm chin. the
deep. resonant voice. ard the unaffected
and natural but almost regal dignity OF
demeanor. He is like ones ideal OF what
one of the great church statesmen OF the
great period Of IN churcfl's temporal pow
must have been.
Today. though its temporal power is
gone. the tas, OF the goytrnrient OF the
Catholic church is heavier than IN those
days The extent of jurisdiction Is great
er. and the problems raised by its tre-
mendous influence and ramidcaiicns