The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-02
KERTTOCHOOSR"BLACKPOp
CONCLAVE or THE JESUITS be-
GINS IN ROME.
Pope Pius Extends the sOcIety's Rights n
Declares Inc time Has Come for the
Church 10 Use All Her strength IN
Fighting Enemies within and without.

Fighting Enemies within and without.
Special CODls Despatch to TEE SUN.
ROME, Sept. THE opening meeting OF
the Congregation Of the Society Of Jesus,
az which q general OF the Jesuits will be
elected, was held to-day. Vicar Ruggier
Freddi read a papal bull extending TO the
Jesuits their ancient privileges and grant
ing them greater power.
In the bull the Pope urged that the time
had arrived when the Church should use
all the arms at Der disposal In fighting the
enemies assailing her from within n
without.
The ~conclave was held in the German
College. Representatives Of seventy-etght
provinces took the oath Of secrecy and
entered the building. whore they will re-
main locked till a general has been elected.
The procedure Ia the same as in the case OF
the election by q papal couclave.
The custom has been to elect the vicar
general, who Il the general pro tenn. on
the death Of the general, and 10 his APP
pointee. But Vicar-Genersl> Freddi Is an
Italian, and the generals for the last two
centuries have always been foreigners.
Besides, Freddi IL 20 years Of age Still,
his election is probable. The result will be
made known either next Saturday or Sun
day, the feast OF st. Peter Claver.
Special Prayers are being offered in all
the Jesuit churches throughout the world
for the happy termination Of h election.
Delegates from every Jesuit province in
the world, including Germany, which
recently restored the Jesuits to their place
in the educational work Of that country,
are present. The American delegation
10 headed by the Very Rev. Joseph +. Hen
selman, provincial Of the Jesuits in the
New York-Maryland province. Father
william 0'Brien Pardow, the noted orator
Of the order in this country, IL m OF the
members Of the delegation.
The election Of a father general Of the
Jeeuits has come to be more than an in
cident In the Catholic Church. 1t is ex-
citing almost as much interest as the election
OF . Pope. This is due In part to the name
and fame of the order, but chiefly because
for years past the Jesuit General has been
one Of the most powerful figures at the
Vatican next to the Cardinal Secretary
Of State, hence the unofficial title BLACK
Pope"
Father Louis Martin, the late general,
was regarded as, one Of the most powerful
men at Rome in Pope Ieo's reign. Three
distinguished Jesuits are mentioned as his
successor. They are: Father Freddi, the
present acting head of the order, whose
title is vicar-general. Father Freddi was
educated at Rome in France and in England.
He speaks English ~fuently. He Is a man
OF broad education and has held high offices
in the order, being at one time assistant
aaOVafaV y 90 Nha nrlor a-l m raEv vxro,{, ofa 1
Of the Roman province, which includes
the Jurisdiction of the big Jesuit institution
in the city Of Rome. He held the office
Of assistant general for Italy for fourteen
years, and at the death Of Father Martin
it was found that he was the priest selected
by the dead general to govern the order
In the interim.
Father Rudolph Meyer, an American
Jesuit, is said to be the choice OF the Amer
lean delegation. He Ia the Assistant General
for the English speaking countries. lie is
officially connected with the Province Of st.
Louis, Of which he was at one time provin-
cial. The Hungarian newspaper nave
announced Father NJ. Abel, "the famous
Father Abel Of the Viennese," candidate for
the high office. Father Abel Is admittedly
the most brilliant religious speaker in that
part Of Europe and likewise an influential
man at the Austrian capital.
But just as happened when the College
Of Cardinals met TO elect a successor to
Leo Kill, these most important candi-
dates" may fade away and one Of the hum
blest priests in the Society Of Jesus he
chosen for the high office. As a rule, how
ever, the General Of the Jesuits must be at
once a brilliant and pious man. No other
could fl the Office with any success.