The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-10
BROOKLYN BISHOP TO BOSTON +?
RUMOR IN ROME THATNp DONNELL
MAY BE MADE COADJUTOR.
He Would Have the Right OF Succession 20
the Venerable Archbishop Williams.
Now an Octosenarian Fractional
struggle That This Would Settle.

Reports brought from Rome say that
rumor that Bishop Mcdonnell Of Brooklyn
may be promoted and transferred to Boston
as coadjutor to the venerable Archbishop
Williams, with the night of succession, IS
being discussed there. There has been a
long controversy over the appointment Of
the coadjutor for Boston.
Bishop Matthew j. Harkns of Providence,
r. l.. and Bishop William H. O'Connen of
Portland. Me-, have hitherto been the most
prominent candidates considered. The for
mer has been Bishop of Providence since
April. 1887, and is reputed to be much favor
ed by the local electors Bishop O'ConneIl
was for several years rector of the American
College in Rome. in which Office he succeed
ed his namesake, the present head of the
Catholic University, at Washington. Car
dinal Satolli has been his patron and adj
vocate. it is said, OF his advancement to
the Boston coadjutorship. So strong have
been the influences at work for the several
candidates that nothing has resulted SO
far in settling the actual choice.
1t is stated in clerical circles that Bishop
Mcdonnell is to-day personally tho best
known American Bishop in Rome. He
enjoys special prestige with the Vatican
officials because Of his long personal inter-
course with so many Of them and his re-
peated visits to Rome at the head Of large
pilgrimages of priests and laymen. He
was the only Bishop to organize one OF the
present pilgrimages and thus demonstrate
his loyalty and fervor for the present jubi-
lee His pilgrimage was accompanied by
generous contributions from his diocese to
Peters Pence. A.
Bishop Mcdonnell was one Of the few OF
the $50 or more Bishops in Rome for the
jubilee of December S TO whom the Pope
accorded a private audience. and he was
the only English speaking Bishop present
at the state banquet in honor Of the jubilee
ceremony. The other guests we're cardinals.
Ambassadors and Ministers and high Roman
functionariee, clerical and lay.
While not usual, the promotion Of Bishops
TO metropolitan sees outside their own
provinces is not unknown In late years
here. Archbishop Ryan went from st.
Louis to Philadelphia In June, 1884, and
more recently Archbishop Quigloy vas
taken from Buffalo and made the successor
Of Archbishop Feehan In February. 1897.
In clerical circles the fact that the Pope
made Bishop O'Connell an assistant at the
throne last week is said 10 indicate that
his chances are ended for Boston and that
this brevet honor Is thus given to him.
Archbishop Williams was oonsecrated
Bishop on March II. 1896, and created
first Archbishop of Bos, on on Feb. u, 1878.
Bishop Mcdonnell was consecrated the
second Bishop of Brooklyn on April Is. 1892
The appointment OF an outsider is rarely
popular locally in diocese at first, but
in the ma iority Of instances has resulted
favorably in time. Bishop McDonnell's
appointment to Brooklyn from New York
Great ed much comment among number of
the clerical contingent who favored
local nominee, and his translation now to
Boston would probably have similar
result.
The Archbishops of the United States
have the privilege Of consultation. but not
of veto. when there is question of the selec-
ton of n candidate for n vacancy among
them or an addition to their number. The
present pope, however, IL said TO favor a
much more active participation in the
nomination of Bishops ;hsa has been the
custom at Rome.
vacancy in Brooklyn now would make
an interesting local situation aud keep
many guessing for a lor & time.