The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-31
Effort to Relieve the. Congregation
of the Propaganda of Much
Detail Work.
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
Is Said to Be Causing Authorities
at Rome a Great Deal of
Concern.
EXPENSES ARE HEAVY
And There Is Talk of Turning the
Institution Over to the
Orders.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
ROME Jan 3O.-A plan is being con-
sdered by the Vatican authorities TO re-
lieve the Congregation of the Propaganda
of much of the detail business of the
church in the United States which will, it
is thought, prevent the congestion of bust
ness in the propaganda and at the same
time give the American church no more
independence than il now enjoys 1t is pro-
posed TO extend the powers of the Ameri-
can metropolitan archbishops so thai it
will be unnecessary to apply to Rome for
decisions in minor matters. The plan is yet
under consideration, but word has been
sent to America that at the next meeting
of the archbishops in Washington the
heads of the American hierarchy should
consider which of their faculties and privi-
leges require extension, and whether any
change in their powers over the suffragan
bishops would lead to solution of the prob
lem. 1t is felt by Roman authorities
that the complaints now constantly re-
ceived because of the length of time re-
quired to secure decisions from the Propa-
ganda will be met by the new plan and
that the independence from Rome involved
in the establishment of an American pri-
mate will be avoided.
This weeks meeting of the archbshops
was the subject of discussion by Roman
authorities, even although the meeting was
not a special one, called for special pur-
pose, but simply the annual gathering of
the trustees of the Catholic University,
called TO consider the ways and means OF
maintaining that institution, which has OF
late given much concern to the Holy
Father and to the trustees because of the
difficulties encountered in raising funds
| for its endowment. IL was because of this
| difficulty that Pope Plus Y, at the special
| request of Cardinal Gibbons, issued a brief
| last October ordering that a special col
| lection be taken every year in all Catholic
churches of the United States for the sup
| port of the university. The last collection
| ii is understood here, was somewhat dis
| appointing and the trustees must soon
| devise means for raising contributions and
| 'essening the expenses of the institution.
OPPOSITION TO JESUITS.
There has been much correspondence be-
l.tween Cardinal Satolli, project of studies
and the rector of the university, Mon.
sgnor O'Connell. and also between the
| Propaganda and the apostolic delegation
| in the United States as TO measures sug-
| gested by Rome for the Improvement OF
| laws governing the American church. The
university has a prominent place in the
| correspondence, and it has been proposed
| to lessen the expenses of the institution
| that religious order be given charge oil
| it, The order, because of its VOW Of pow.
| erty, would teach, without other com
| pensation than the support OF it's members
| The plan presented difficulties, however
| first, because of the task of finding an order
| whose members are capable of teaching th'
| advanced university branches, and second
| because of the danger of giving offense Il
| orders whose members are already on tn,
| ground. The Jesuts, already in charg,
| of Georgetown University, have member:
| trained in all branches of science anC
| would seem to be the proper persons Il
| place in charge of the university, especial
| ly as members OF this order were the frs
| to suggest a change. But several of tn
| archbishops, among them Gibbons IrelanC
| and Keane, seem opposed to giving th
| already powerful order another source o
| influence in the United States, and advice
| received in Rome indicate that they woul,
| prefer the Sulpicians. whose special worl
| is the training of the clergy and who al
| ready manage some of the best ecclesias
| teal colleges in America and France. a.
more acceptable to the American clergy
| providing any change is TO be made il
| present methods regarding the university
| There is still talk of the Instability o
| erecting a metropolitan see at Washing
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