The Washington herald., 1914-06-07
why BRUCHESI
LOST RED HAT
Archbishop Of Montreal Too
Active in Political
Affairs.
POPE DISAPPROVED ACTS
Prelate from Canada Left Rome a
Disheartened Man Prior to
Consistory.
Z, The w,.hinrtou Herald.

srecisI Gable - The Washington Herald.
Rome, June s.-The failure Of Mgr. Bur-
chest, archbishop of Montreal. TO secure
the red hat. which was given TO Mgr
Begin. archbishop of Quebec. is regarded
who engage too actively in the political
affairs of the country in which they re-
side.
II is said to be a lesson for those who
fail to use with discretion and tact their
spiritual power. or fail TO devote them
selves wholly to securing the moral and
religious welfare of their particular COM
munities.
ance of the Pope's decision to exclude
Archbishop Bruchesi from the list Of new
cardinals. II must be remembered that
the latter had long been considered
legitimate candidate for the red hat. and
il was Pope Pius's wish to give Canada
a worthy successor to Cardinal Pacherau.
Brsche.i Visits PontiG.
Roman prelates were grievously disap-
pointed when Bruchesi's name failed 10
appear among those appointed at the
consistory in December. 1911. This year
they were more than confident that the
Pope would ratify the aspirations of Mon
treal Catholics.
Archbishop Bruchesi was himself sat
isfied he would be named and came to
Rome early in April, ostensibly on his reg
ular visit to the Vatican. but in reality
to hear from the lips OF the holy father
himself confirmation of his hope.
lie met with the most cordial recep-
ton at the Vatican, and this seemed, for
time. to confirm the reports that he
would be included among the new car
dinals. Shortly afterward reports stopped
as il by magic and nothing more was said
until the consistory was announced
Meanwhile, Mgr. Bruchesi left, a dis
heartened man. Efforts to ascertain the
reasons for the refusal were for weeks
absolutely fruitless until only a few days
before the public consistory was held.
when the reasons explaining the Nati-
cans attitude transpired.
Pope Disapproved His Acts.
In such cases the Vatican has its own
way of divulging the truth. only allow
ing enough to leak out to justify its po-
sition. Among the facts made public
in an indirect way there are few so like
ly or convincing as the Bruchesi censor
ship. instituted for dramatic and vaude-
vile companies visiting Montreal. a mat
ter not wholly approved by his holiness.
II is said that every theatrical COM
pany visiting Montreal must submit to
the archbishop lists of the plays il in
tends to produce. and that a refusal 10
drop those which the diocesan censor
regards as Objectionable results in an
order from the archbishop forbiddins
Catholics to attend the performances, a
virtual boycott on the theater.
In one case. II Is said. the archbishop
went to the extent Of revising SaTdous
''Tosca." substituting here and there
lines with his own version. Many honest
impresarios. who refused to accept the
revision. were driven to the wall.
Loie Fuller Boycotted.
Vatican circles say Loie Fuller was one
of Archbishop Bruchesfs victims when,
several years ago. she was compelled TO
leave the city hurriedly accompanied by
her troupe of dancers, although there was
nothing Objectionable about her produc-
ton.
Another fact which the Vatican allowed
to filter out to the public through its mys-
terious channels is that Archbishop Bru-
chest is reported to be uninterested in the
welfare of Italian immigrants in Mon
treal. According to some authorities,
Mgr. Bruchesi. although an Italian by
descent. speaks Italian only when visiting
the holy father.
The records of the state chancery also
ward the school question in Winnipeg
nearly resulted in rupture between the
Vatican and the Canadian authorities. A
letter, however. asked the Pope to send
another prelate there, and Cardinal Merry
del Val, then only a monsignor. was rush
ed to Canada and the question was set
tied in two days
Apparently Archbishop Bruchesi rules
the city with an iron hand, and from this
viewpoint many compare him to a poll
teal boss with unlimited power.
Brucbesi's Record Good.
From time to time the Vatican has re-
ceived many complaints against Arch
bishop Bruchesi which, though not re-
iecting upon his personal integrity or
rectitude of life. accuse him of hindering
the aspirations of many prominent Cana
dian citizens who. not enjoying his conf
dence. have failed to secure his support.
On the other hand. the Vatican admits
that under Archbishop Bruchesi Mon
treal has become the largest and most i'm
portant diocese in Canada.
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