The Washington herald., 1907-04-12
Catholics Petition Arch.
bishops in Conference.
SEE NONsECTARIAN MENACE
Committee want Cooperation of
Hierarchy ia Preventing Attend
ahee of Members of Church at
other Than Their Own Institutions.
Peters Pence 10 Be Increased.

American hierarchy toward Catholic col
leses in this country was made by a con-
mittee of the Catholic College Conference
at the meeting Of the archbishops yester-
day
Rev. John Conway, S. j., president Of
the Catholic College Conference; Law
renee Deleury. rector of villa Nova Col
lege; Rev. Dennis Flynn, president OF
Mount 81. Mary's College. and Rev. John
Murphy. provincial of the Order Of the
Holy Ghost, were the educational repre-
sentatiyes who presented the position Of
the colleges 20 the archbishops and petit
toned them TO devote as much energy
toward upbuilding the collegiate institu-
tions as they give to their parochiai
schools.
A secondary object Of their petition was
to bring about unihcation of college
curricula and to more closely associate
Catholic parochiaI schools, colleges. and
universities. The primary purpose Of the
committee, however. was to secure the CO.
operation of the hierarchy in obtaining
large number of students in Catholic insti-
tutiOns and to prevent as much as possible
the attendance OF such students at nonsee-
tartan schools.
Tend Toward other schools.
There has been a tendency, it is stated,
on the part of many Catholic students to
overlook the Institutions of their own re-
ligion and go to non-Catholic schools
Further, It is said this has begun to prove
a great handicap to the Catholic schools,
and il Is probable that strong measures
viii be taken in the near future to prevail
on Catholic parents to send their children
TO institutions of their own faith.
It was remarked, too, that the parochial
schools have somewhat exceeded their
recognized course OF studies. and that the
Catholic high schools have, in some
measure, drawn number of students
who would otherwise have entered the
colleges.
A committee of prelates, consisting of
Archbishops Farley, Messmer, and Blenk,
was appointed TO confer with a similar
committee from the college conference
in the near future. The date for the
meeting was not set but il viii probably
occur before the next meeting Of that
Organization, in July. Rev. John Conway.
s J., VIII appoint the committee within
the next month.
Press reports and rumors from other
sources as to the f1ourishing condition
of the Peters Pence fund and the treas
ury of the Vatican were denied by the
archbishops on the authority of prelates
who have lately returned from Rome 1t
was said that there is a yearly deficit in
the accounts of the Holy See. which will
oe greater than usual this year, owing to
the increased expense incident to the re-
ligious troubles in France.
Asks for Increased Funds.
On this account, the Pope has requested
the American aTehbishops 10 send a
diocesan letter asking for more generous
contribution to the Peters Pence colIec-
ton this year. No mention was made OF
3 special collection 20 be taken up. but an
effort will be made 10 make this years
contribution one OF unusual proportions
The suggestion made some time ago by a
cler al authority that a Peters Pence
box be placed i'm every church and Cath
olic meeting place was not acted on by
the cOnclaye.
The much-mooted question as to whether
various secret and beneficial societies
with rituals and religious forms can be
considered cults was decided by the con
clave in the negative, They pronounced
that no society OF this kind could be held
in that light. and that their cerem0niaIs
are not TO be recognized by Catholics.
This viii probably tend 10 prevent the
burial rituals of many societies which
have hitherto been allowed TO act at
funerals.
1t was announced that a Greek
bishop would soon be appointed for
the Catholic people of that rite in the
United States. This prelate who will
probably be named from Russia, will have
jurisdiction over all members of the Greek
rite In America, but he viii be under the
supervision Of the Latin rite bishop in
whatever diocese he is stationed.
New Move on Part of Church.
This is new move on the part Of the
church, as heretofore there has been no
higher prelates of that rite appointed in
this country, as the only bishop is among
the Greek-rite Catholis in Russia, with
jurisdiction over Poland. There is no es-
sential difference between the branches,
and both are in communion with the
Holy See.
Letters were read expressing the wish
of the United States Census Bureau to
have accurate enumeration of the Catho-
lie population of this country. Archbishop
Ireland Archbishop Glennon, Archbishop
Keane, and Archbishop Messmer were
appointed a committee 10 act in conjunc-
ton with the bureau in effeting this end.
\ letter was read from the Holy See
granting to the bishops and archbishops
the power to ALLEVIATE church property ard
TO dispose of it as they see tit during a
course of ten years. This removes the
necessity for making "A special request of
the Vatican TO dispose Of church prop
erty.
Reports show Progress.
Reports showing a decided progress in !
the cndeavor to obtain a curriculum of
four years in the theological seminaries
were read, and it was the sense of the
meeting that further steps be taken along
this line. A letter was read from the
Bishop of Namour, Belgium. announcing
a Eucharisuc congress during the sum
~. Archbishop Macs, of Covington, was
ed % attend as representative OF
erican hierarchy. Cardinal Gibbons
tructed 70 write a letter of thanks
bishop Father Burke, of New
yas appointed general secretary of
eau OF Catholic Colored Missions.
effect Immediately. A letter of
from Cardinal Richard.
was read, In which he thanked
'archy for sympathy during the
French crisis.
conclusion OF the meeting Cardi-
bons and the archbishops drove
he city 10 the home OF Mgr. Fal-
he papai delegate, where a din
given in their honor. The guests
supper included the cardinal,
sODs Williams Farley RFoaIia..