The Washington herald., 1909-01-22

Since the establishment Of the Catholic
University OF America nothing has awak-
ened wider interest nor made that in
stitut;on the focus OF such attention IS
mas the question Of a successor 10 Right
Rev. Denis J. O'ConneH. retiring rector.
who has been made auxiliary bishop Of
san Francisco.
IN Catholic Church and educational cir
cles throughout the county It has been
the absorbing topic. Many prelstes have
been spoken Of as the possible successor.
and in several instances the announce
ment has been made that Bishop John :.
Carroll. OF Montana. would be the future
president Of the university. bat not once
was hint given OF the fact that the high
Office would be profered to a member of
the university faculty.
Few persons realized that the distlnc-
tion awaited the editor Of the Catholic
Encyclopedia and professor OF church
history and patrology-Rev. Thomas J.
Shahan. s. T. D. J. L. l., who. il IS
now learned on good authority. has been
appointed rector.
An Unusual Favor.
This signal favor IS the more remark
able IN that II Is the first tine IN the his
tory Of the university that one Of its
teaching body has been so favored. Dr..
Shahan's personal qualifications. scholar
" attaiuments. and splendid work in the
upbuilding OF the educational interests Of
the college over which he has been called
10 preside stamp him a worthy successor
Of the retiring bishop and make his ap-
pointment the occasion Of great pleasure
10 numerous friends.
DR.. Shahan was born in Manchester, y.
Il, September Il. IS57. His earliest edu-
cation was in the public sche 5 Of MIL
bury. Mass, which he attended from
1854 10 1S72- He was graduated from The
Montreal College. Canada. in 1S72 En-
tering the American College, Rome. In
ISIS. he received the 5egree Of doctor OF
divinity from that seat of learning in
1872 He received the degree Of J. L. l.
from the Roman Seminary in 1859.
His course in history was pursued IN
the University Of Berlin from 1889 TO 1891.
and later al the New SorI onne and Insti-
tUte CatholiQue. Paris
DR.. Shahan was ordained priest by Car
dinaI Monaco Ia Valetta in the Cathedral
s. John Lateran. Rome. June 3. 1SS2. lie
filed the post Of chancellor and secre-
tary Of the Hartford Diocese from 1873 TO
1SSS. He has been editor Of the Catholic
University Bulletin since 1895.
Dr- Shahan Is a member Of the Hail of
Fame. University Heights. New York
He vas professor Of church history in the
Catholic University Of Pedagogy, New
York. from 1902 10 1893. The new rector
has been professor Of church history and
pathology at the Catholic University since
the creation Of that chair in 1891.
Force In University.
In addition TO his lectures on this diff
cult subject. which requires constant re-
search. he has been one OF the strongest
and most constant forces in the construc-
ton Of the University.
sHe has written The Blessed Virgin in
the Catacombs. The Beginnings Of
Christianity The Middle Ages "St.
Patrick IN History The House Of God.
and his contributions TO leading Ameri-
can and English reviews seem almost in
Vulnerable when one attempts to trace
them.
Dr.. Shahan's work on the Catholic En-
has brought him interna-
tional reputation