Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-12
ITS CLOSING SESSION
Conference of Archbishops at
Catholic University.
THE BUSINESS CONSIDERED
Relation of Secret Societies to the
Church Discussed.
COLORED MISSIONS IN SOUTH
General Secretary Appointed to Take
Charge of Work-Plans for
Catholic Census.
COLORED MISSIONS IN SOUTH

The Roman Catholic archbishops of the
United States me yesterday for its
constituting session in Caldwell Hall
OF the Catholic University of America
and transacted a large amount of business.
Educa lion. negro missions and pronounce
ment regarding Peters pence formed the
principal topics of discussion.
What is regarded by some as a matter of
trausrending Importance is the statement
that the church contemplates restrictive
measures regarding Catholic secret socie-
ties. Non-Catholic organizations were also
looked into with regard to their relation
ship To the Catholic laity of the country.
The discussion was along general lines and
did not relate TO any particular society. 1t
has been urged upon number of prelates
that the rites in vogue in some secret socie-
ties come dangerously near being religious
cults If this Is so, tits stated, it would
be incumbent for the bishops to consider
whether such religious cults are antagonis-
tie to the tenets of the Roman Catholic
faith.
No decision was reached in this matter
and resolutions were adopted The
topic. IL was stated. comes clearly within
the scope of the archepiscopal meetings be-
cause the third plenary council of Baltl-
more made II the duty of the archbishops
to bear in mind and consider always the re-
latiun of secret societies. Catholic as we'll
the church
Sessions Yesterday.
Cardinal Gibbons presided over the ses-
sion Of the hierarchy yesterday which con-
veped at 10 O'Clock. Archbishop John J.
Glennon of St. Louis was the secretary. The
only archbishops absent were James E. Quig
ley of Chicago. who is in Rome; Peter
Bourgade of Santa Fe Alexander Christie
of Portland Ore. and Patrick w. Riordon
of San Francisco. Those present besides
the cardinal We're Archbishops John j. VII
Hams of Boston. Henry Moeler of Cincin-
natl, John j. keane of Du uque. Sebas-
tan q Messmer of Milwaukee. John NJ
Farley of New York. Patrick j. Ryan of
Philadelphia. John Joseph Glennon of ST
Louis. who acted as secretary, and John
Ireland of st. Paul.
one Of the first topics discussed was the
colored mission work of the church through
out the south. This is matter 1t Is
stated in which Cardinal Gibbons Is very
deeply concerned. The work is in charge
of commission composed of Cardinal
Gibbons Archbishops Farley and Ryan,
Bishop Thomas S. Byrne of Nashville ana
Bishop Edward p. Allen of Mobile.
Secretary General Appointed.
The result of the discussion was the ap-
pontment of Rev. John E. Burke of the
Church of st. Benedict the Moor. New
York. as secretary general of the negro
throughout the south. His position will be
that of the active director OF the work, as
Rev Father William H. ketcham Is di-
rector of the Indian mission work of the
church. bureau will be established for
him in Washington from which to direct the
missions. and as general manager OF this
bureau Father Burke Will have supervision
OF all Catholic colored missions throughout
the south Father Burke especially
recommended for the post by Archbishop
Farley.
The whole question OF Catholic education
and it's colleges was discussed. The pur-
pose of the discussion is to bring about
unity in the Catholic educational field SO as
to coordinate Catholic parish schools. Cath
Ollie high schools and colleges with the
Catholic University. and direct them into
one line of useful educational activity. As
result OF the discussion a determined
effort will be made to secure stronger In
terest on the part of the American HER
archy in the Catholic colleges of the coun-
try.