East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-12-11


of cardinals and prelates which meets
at the vatican today is the first con-
sistory called by Plus y since Decem-
ber of last year. AS customary it will
be secret and will be followed by a
public conslstorv on Thursday. The
chief reason assigned for the long
delay is that the pope was hoping
that some arrangement could be made
with the French government for the
filling of the many vacancies among
the French sees. The pope hesitated
to the last moment, but finding him
self disappointed, finally called the
consistory which was necessary to Sc
lect some additional members of the
sacred college. z
The consistory which meets today
in secret session is of unusual import
ance, as 1t will probably select five
new cardinals to fill the existing va
cancies in the sacred college. The
situation is unusually complicated
and the pope was in an extremely diff
ficult position in making a selection,
which would cause the lyeast disap-
piontment.
1t may be said that the selection of
the Italian cardinals presented great
er difficulties than that of the foreign
dignitaries. In the first place there
are in Rome several prelates who at
one time held the position of major
domo of the vatican and every one of
them considered 1t his right to be-
come a member of the sacred college
on that account. The former pope
had silently recognized this claim and
had made promises to these digni-
taries, which his death prevented him
from fulfilling. Plus X, however. is
not inclined to recognize any such
rights and. although he has selected
Mgr Cagiano de Azevedo, for a num-
her of years major domo of the vati-
ran for the cardinal hat 1t is under
stood, that he intends to abolish the
office of major domo. thus reducing
the cost of maintaining his court to
some extent.
It was principally the necessity Of
holding down the expenses of the vat
lean, which caused the pope to hesi-
tate in selecting new cardinals among
the pre'ates connected with the vati-
can. 1t is understood that but one
other italian prelate will be created
cardinal, Mgr. CavaIari. the patriarch
be promoted is Mgr. Joseph Samas-
sa, archbishop of Agram. Hungary.
who is now II years old and who was
promised promotion bv the former
nope. His promotion viii appease the
Hungarian Catholics and also please
the Austrian court. Another new
cardinal will he Mgr SpinoIa Macs
te. archbishop Of Seville. Spain. Ii
was at first intended to nominate
Mgr. Noza'eda, archhishop of VaIen-
cia. formerly the Matrouolitan In the
philippine islands. The latter was not
selected because it was feared that
he might he objectionable owing to
the attitude which he had taken in
the archinelaoo aeainst the occupa-
tion by the Americans.
Mgr. Joachim AIcovarde de Albu-
nuerque- -Cavaloanti archbishop OF
Rio de Janeiro. Brazil. who is also
mentioned as one OF the dignitaries
scheduled for promotion. will be the
first South American prelate ever
named for the sacred COLLEGE, His Sc.
lection will probably cause some dis.
satisfaction in other South American
countries, but they will be appeased
) in the future.
Pesides the selection Of new cardi.
nails other matters Of Importance vii
he considered at the consistory. TIL
situation in France is probably one q
! the most important problems All tn
Nishops appointed nv the propaganda
during the past year will have theiI
nominations confirmed by this con
sistory.