New-York tribune., 1907-09-20

the first American Bishop of that diocese His
death. coming so soon after that of the Apos-
tolc Delegate, Guidi, causes apprehension, for
his successor. as the climate is evidently trying
for white men.
The Right Rev. Frederick Zadok Rocker was
born in this city on September 19. 1861 He had.
accordingly just reached the of forty-six years
on the day of his death. at the time OF his birth
his father. the late Myron Holly Rocker was night
editor of The Tribune, a post that he held for
many years Another relative Of Bishop Rocker
the late Thomas Rocker. associated with The
Tribune for than fifty years. part Of the time
| foreman OF the composing room. and for more
than thirty years he was also secretary Of the
Tribune Association. in which he was n stock
holder
Myron Holly Rocker. the Bishops father re-
moved TO Albany in 1869. where he engaged in
journalistic work. and the time Of his death was
editor Of and had proprietary interest in 'Ehe
Press and Knickerhocker." now The Press
Knickerbocker- Express" OF that city. The son
educated in the public schools and was gradu-
ated with highest honors from the Albany High
School 1880 being the vaedictoran Of his class.
He then entered Union College in the class of
81 His father had expected TO make him news
paper man. but having been brought up in the
Roman Catholic faith by his mother Margaret
Coleman Rocker devoted churchwornan the
young elected enter the priesthood. Leav-
ing Union College at the end Of his junior year. he
went to Rome to pursue his studies at tho Afner-
can College He made the six years course in five
years. and ordained the priesthood in 1888.
receiving also the degree OF doctor OF philosophy.
He then took special course in dogma under
Monsignor Satolli and IN 1859 the Propaganda con-
ferred him the degree of doctor Of sacred
theology. In the same year he was made vice
rector of the American College Of which the Rev.
DR.. O'ConneIl was the rector
When NonsiEnor Satolli was sent to this country
IN 1892 as Pontifcal ablegate he designated DIR.
Rocker 10 I'LL his chair Of dogma IN the college. and
the ablegate accompanied by DR.. O'Conneil,
Dr. Rocker became acting rector we'll. His
duties and his intimate association with Mon
slgnor SatoI1. 10 whom he had been secretary.
brought him also into close relations with Pope
Leo XIII. and II understood the time that
It largely on Dr. Rockers representations and
through his influence that the Propa sanda enlarged
the powers Of Monsguor SatoIli creating a dele
cation and naming Monsignor SatoIi as Apostolic
Delegate and DR.. Hector Papi as his associate
and secretary.
In 1894, upon the resignation Of DR.. Papi DR.
Rocker appointed in his place. He stated at
that time that he believed himself TO be the first
American who had ever held commission from
the Vatican. He held this post until 1903. when he
was made Bishop Of Jaro.
AS Secretary of the Legation and as its only
English speaking member his responsibilities were
great. and his promotion recognition that
he had fulfilled them with more than ordinary ac-
ceptabiity He received his conservation in the
church OF the American College in Rome on June
H. 1903 and arrived in Manila in the following Oc-
tober
His diocese OF the most important in
the Philippines covering eleven provinces and the
Jolo islands and httingly including many promi-
nent educational institutions It's Roman Catholic
population numbers 1.331.Go0 Bishop Rocker en-
tered upon his work with characteristic energy and
had made great progress IN re-estabshing the
local influence of his Church and in reconciling
Filipino members the new ecclesiastical and
political conditions
Dr. Rocker had received the honorary degree of
doctor OF divinity from Union College and IN 1901
he received the honorary appointment OF Cham
6erlain to the Pope He leaves sister, Mrs.
lydia Rocker Mccarthy. whose husband Is the
editor of the Albany "Press-knlckeroocker-Elx-
press in which the Rocker family still retains a
considerable interest.