Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-02

During the present month formal an
nouncement will be made, 1t Is authorita-
lively stated, of the retirement of Bishop
Denis J. O'ConnelI as rector of the Catho-
lie University here, when that Office will
be assumed by Bishop John Carroll of
Helena, Mont.
The naming of a new rector has been
an animated topic of discussion in Catho-
lie Church circles for considerable
period. and Bishop Carpolrs name has
figured prominently as probability. The
office was proffered him several months
ago, and he has since held the matter un-
der consideration. He has informed a
prominent layman of his diocese-a rail-
road man--that he will accept the appoint
ment Bishop Carroll's determination in
the premises is also known to several
members of the Catholic. University fac
ulty.
Bishop O'Connell's Retirement.
While 1.-THE retirement of Bishop OCon-
nell from the rectorship is a matter OF
almost universal regret, it is felt, accord
ing to member of the faculty, that the
change will be beneficial all around. The
Catholic Church has never made a prac-
tice of keeping its dignitaries in highly
important offices for a great length o.
time. Changes in administrative heads
are regarded as eminently desirable in all
cases. 1t adds variety to the work of its
prelates. This practice obtains partcu-
larly among the religious orders in the
church. Therefore is it emphasized that
in no great work is the individual SUI
preme, nor is the success of an institu-
ton dependent on the longevity in office
of particular directing head. This fact,
it is pointed out by a member of the
faculty, is not meant to detract in any
particular from the great work performed
for the Catholic University by Bishop
OConnell. He has Successfully carried
forward the university work during a par
ticularly irving period.
Bishop O'Connell has been foremost in
his church'S councils He was one of the
secretaries at the third plenary council,
held in Baltimore about a quarter of a
century ago, and has exercised many i'm
pOrtant offices in the interest of the Vati-
can. His elevation to the bishopric last
May was regarded as a fitting tribute to
his priestly capacity and high mentality.
The Catholic Church is again following
out an unwrtten rule-of changing those
on whom it confers its high honors. This
has been particularly the case with refer
ence to those churchnen who have been
sent here as delegates from the Vatican
to the United States.
The New University Executive.
The selection of Bishop Carroll as the
new rector is regarded highly gratity-
ing. He is very popular with the priests
and hierarchy of the country Here III
the Baltimore diocese he is particularly
we'll known, having last year given re-
treat at ST. Mary's Seminary. Baltimore,
which was attended by Cardinal Gibbons
and large percentage Of the priests
and seminarians of the diocese. Bishop
Carroll is particularly well known and
liked in the western states, and is de-
clared to command the active support of
rich and influential persons in that sec
ton The selection of churchman from
the west is looked to be a highly impor-
tant factor toward the success of the in
stitution, since it will rally, more than
ever before, the Catholics in that section
of the country to the support of an en-
dowment that has had the sanction and
the patronage of two of the greatest pom
tiffs in the history of the Catholic Church
Speculation has been active as to where
Bishop O'Connell will so next. There
are great many important sees vacant
at the present time. That they will all
be filled in the very near future Is
thought to be assured.