Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-06
UNITED STATES NOT MISSION
REMOVED FROM JURISDICTION
OF PROPAGANDA BY POPE.
Church May Now Deal Directly
With Papal Secretary of
State in Rome.

ROME. July 6.-An important pontifica
document reforming the organization and
working for the Roman congregations was
made public today. It removes Great
Britain. Ireland. Holland, Canada and the
United States from the jurisdiction of the
propaganda. these countries thus ceas-
ing to be considered missionary lands.
News Will Crafty Catholics.
Mgr Bonaventure Cheretti, auditor OF
the papal legation in this city, confirmed
the above cablegram late this afternoon,
and declared 1t marked a wide departure
in Catholic Church government. The
news will have a pleasant reception from
priests and laymen throughout the United
States, as in other countries affected by
the change.
Ever since the introduction of Catholic
ity into the United States to lhe present
time this country has been regarded in
the light of mission Of the church at
Rome. 1t has been under the supervision
Of the congregation OF the propaganda.
composed of from sixteen to eighteen
cardinals.
This congregation of the propaganda
has been the medium through which the
high authorities Of the Roman Catholic
Church in the United States have treated
with the Vatican. Naturally. the IN
fuence of the cardinals composing this
congregation has been tremendous IN all
AFFAIRS concerning the government OF the
clergy In America and Of the affairs OF the
church in general.
The monsignori, the bishops and arch
tishops have all been named for America
after being passed on by the congregation
of the propaRanda, whose prerogatlves
and influence may be compared to the
most important and influential committee
in Congress.
Treat Direct With Papal Secretary.
Since the Catholic Church in the United
States is no longer mission the hier-
archy will be permitted to treat direct
with the papal secretary of state, and
will have the same standing before the
church at Rome as France, Spain or Aus
tria.
This new arrangement will simplify to a
great extent the naming OF bishops and
other Roman prelates. Candidates VIII
not have the same multiplicity OF car
dinals to review their claims.
The procedure in this country in re-
gard to candidates for promotions will be
the same as has always existed
Priests and bishops of diocese and an
archdiocese will be permitted to ballot
for three names each, which names will
be sent direct to the papal secretary OF
state In this, as we'll as other matters
of church government, the medium OF
communication will be the papal delegate
In tnlS city.
'It has always been a great mystery tc
me- said a prominent Catholic laymar
when SHOWN the cablegram, that sucf
actor has not been taken before. Ca
tholicity is as old as the country itself
Here we have practically 100000 com
municants.
1T has not been altogether agreeable
to have the Catholic Church in the United
States in America viewed in the light o.
mission by the Vatican, when some
of the less worthy daughters of thu
church, notably France. have been SO sig
nally honored by being, permitted tt
treat directly with the holy father through
his secretary OF state.
Yes you may say that this news will
be received with great deal OF salts
faction by all Catholics, who will see II
this change a further mark of the love
that Pope Plus X bears the Catholics q
America"
Opposed by Propaganda.
In high Catholic Church circles here
today it was stated that there has beer
a movement on foot for some time tc
bring about a reform in the organization
and working OF the Roman congregations
The propaganda has generally opposed it
Great surprise was expressed that the
reform is about effected.
1t was explained that there may have
been a petition addressed to the pope t.
The change does not mean that the mis-
sionary work is completed in this coun
try. but it means that business in thu
countries mentioned will be conducted M
longer through the channels of the propa
ganda exclusively.
In Rome there are under the pope
nineteen congregations which perform
duties somewhat similar to the commit
| tees of the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatives of the United States. Eacl
of these congregations examines matter!
in detail which come under its jurisdic
ton and its conclusions are submitted
to the pope himself.
The congregation of the propaganda i!
considered one of the most important II
Rome-so much so that the cardinal pre-
feet of the propaganda is familarly called
the red pope" The present carolina
project is his eminence, Jerome Mar,
GOtti
In case the United States and othel
countries are removed from the prop
aganda they would come under differen
congregations. according to the differen
| matters with which they have to dea
| in Rome. AS it Is now everything has t
go through the propaganda.
| nAath of CvriI Stornaont