The Washington times., 1913-04-13
CHURCH DECORATION
LAUD[D BY CERRETTI
Auditor About to Leave for Rome
Pays Compliment to Work
! in American Structures.

Mgr. Bonaventura Cerretti. for sever
years auditor fthe delegatial court
here, has been recalled to Rome. and
will sail April a. II IL understood that
the monsignor. after conferrinx with
Cardinal Merry de Val and giving an
account os his work. will return to the
United States for about six months.
A rev secretary Just arrived. DR..
vincento Misuraca, will act In Nom
s.gnor Cerretti's absence. and. though
he does not know the United States
proper. be has some experience in that
he was for four years associated with
the late delegate to the Philippines.
Mgr. Asuis. DIR. Misuraca. like Mgr.
cerretti. = one OF the trained papai
diplomats. having taken the full course
tn the Academy Of Mobiles In Rome. and
later going to the smaller missions
where the holy see In represented.
Has Been in Charge.
Mgr. Cerretti, In addition to his re-
sponsioie duties as auditor Of the court
which Is established At the apostolic
delegation In Washington. has been
twice charge d'anairea- First In 1907,
when Cardinal Falconio. then papaI
envoy here. went to Rome to pay his
respects TO the holy father. ard last
year for nine months during the in
terim between the departure Of Car
dinal Faiconio and the arrival Of Mr..
Bonzano. Mgr. Cerretti has made
a profound study of many phases Of
development of the Catholic church In
the United States during his residence
here.
Il find that in chuch decoration.
Americans take high rank" said Mgr.
Cerretti The older cathedrals of
Philadelphia. Boston. and
LouieviIle will be replaced in years
to come, yet they are most interesting
to me as an evidence Of the early
days Of faith and self-sacrifice when
IL meant more than the mere gather
ing of money to erect a church. I
have covered all this country during
my stay here. can read an eloquent
tale of heroism in the various types
Of churches in different parts and
trace the influence of the various
Has Seen Changes.
Il have seen many important do
reses created since 1 came here In
ls0e. among which may be mentioned .
Toledo. Des Moines. Corpus Christi.
Tex. the old vicariate of Brownsville.
Lead. Bismarck. and Crookstown. The
most important development I have
noticed Is the increase of the religious
orders not only as token of re-
i,ious prosperity, but also Of re-
igiOus liberty and tolerance. Each
year the number of communities null
'iply, until now there are few in COM
munion with the holy see not repre-
,ented on this continent.
Il cannot see that religious voca~
ions in this country are rare. Con-
idering that only four years ago the
! snited States ceased to be a mission
ountry and came under the control
,f the holy see direct and not OF the
Of the propaganda hde,
: is making wonderful strides in the
icn1l ers Of recruits TO the religious
rider both men and women as well
Is to the general priesthood"
Mgr. Cerretti Is native OF Orvteto
ma Is just forty years of age He
will ia the natural sequence eventual
y be appointed to a hrst-cl2ss mis-
ion in the papal diplomatic service
md elevated to the cardinalate. He
has served Cardinal Merry del Val
n special missions, notably to Mex
&C and to Venezuela. and he is con-
idered diplomat of rare ability and
act