Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-08-21
DEATH OF POPE SEVERE LOSS,
BISHOP O'CONNOR DECLARES
IN HIS TRIBUTE TO Plus X.
Requests Requiem Masses and
Special Prayers Through
out Diocese.

Bishop John }. O'COnnOr today issued
statement expressing his sorrow and
regret at the death Of Pope Plus \. The
bishop pays q personal tribute to the
dead pontiff, whom ne knew as we'll as
any other bishop of the church not n
member of the Pope's immediate house
hold. II was only two weeks ago that
Bishop O'Connor returned from making
his episcopal visit to the Holy See.
The bishop announced he win send let
ters TO the priests of the diocese directing
them to offer masses Of requiem for the
Pope, ON the day OF his funeral If pos
sible. The priests also will be directed
to lead their egations in prayer
from the present time until new pontif
Is elected.
Bishop o'connor's statement Is as fol-
lows.
at Is with very profound and sincere
sorrow that i have heard the news of the
death Of Pope Plus Y. Few, If any, of
the successors of st. Peter have been
more beloved than the venerable pontfff
whose death we now deplOre. His humble
origin. his steady Advancement In the
church through sheer force of merit. the
skill and success with which he admin
istered the duties of his exalted office,
and above all. the gentleness and amia-
bility of his character have endeared him
TO all Catholics in this country.
"He was a man of extraordinary ability
and tact, as he proved in every position
he was called upon to fill. He had risen
from the ranks through every successive
grade of service in the church. He WAS
thoroughly familiar with all the duties
of the priesthood and the episcopnte
from actual experience. When summoned
against his viii by the votes of his col
leagues in the Sacred College to occupy
the highest post in Christendom, he
brought to the fulfIlnent of his new
duties a more thorough equipment, of
knowledge of the practical details of the
priestIy life than any pontin has pos
sessed in modern times.
1.-THE result has been a pontihcate of
unexampled success in developing and
perfecting ecclesiastical discipline and
awakening renewed faith and fervor
among al the members of the church.
His personal influence has been felt in
every department of religious work
thron ghout the world. The impetus he
has given to every form of zeal for the
honor and glory of God will be felt in
its benehcent effects for generations to
come.
"As statesman and scholar Plus X
did not rank as high his predecessor,
Leo XIII, but in the internal adminis-
tration of the church he displayed
practical ability and capacity for obtain
ing results scarcely eaualled by the dis
tinguished pontif who preceded him
He recognized the congregations or tri-
bunais at Rome, brought about new
codification of the canon law, appointed
a commission to sift and settle disputed
questions of holy scripture, selected
scholars to prepare a new edition of the
suIgate copy of the Bible, modified the
courses of studies in the colleges and
Summaries, and in one word PLACED the
practical workings of the church on
new basis better suited to modern needs.
"His work was not of character to
attract the attention and admiration of
the world at large to great an extent
as that of Leo XIII. But ii was OF no
less Importance and in its practical con-
sequences to the daily life of Catholics
1t was more direct and eiTectual. Plus
\. vas pre-eminently pastor Interested
In the smallest details of the spiritual
welfare OF his flock. His vision seemed
to penetrate to the remotest parishes in
the most distant parts of the world. He
looked upon the universal church his
parish and he rejoiced in the most in
significant evidences of piety and zeal
among the Iowliest of his parishioners.
"The intricacies of diplomacy and the
rIyalries of nations had less attraction
deeds accomplished in obscure parishes
of a remote diocese. He himself set the
example of catecbetical instruction to the
poorest people of Rome. He felt that it
was not beneath his dignity to attend
the athletic exhibitions of the young men
whom he gathered about him at the
Vatican, hoping thereby TO win their
souls for Christ. He welcomed all classes
to the audiences he gave daily TO WISH
.,f IL h
came all things to all men to gain all
TO Christ.
cat the same time he met ana, solved
successfully some of the grayeW prob
lens that ever confronted the Holy See
, In the conflict which arose with the
French government, resulting in the
abolition OF the Concordat, and in the
contest for sound doctrine with the mod
ernists, he proved himself competent
as any of his predecessors Go cope with
formidable enemies of the Christian re-
ligion. He was a truly great pontih.
whose admirable qualities of mind and
| heart have been a source of new yigor
and increased efficiency in the service
of Christ to all who came within the
sphere of his influence.
"Pius X. was known the most demo-
cratic of the Popes and this character
| istie was only another evidence of his
large mind and generous heart. He be-
held in every human being soul created
| by God and redeemed by the precious
blood of Jesus Christ. The artificial dis
tinctions of the world could not obscure
| in his eyes the essential equality of all
men in the sight of God. His intense
| personal love of Christ caused him to see
In every man friend and brother for
whom Christ suffered and died.
1T is not surprising that his heart was
pierced with sorrow at the tidings of
the war which he had tried in vain to
avert. Like his namesake Plus W., he
died saddened and oppressed by the
sights and sounds of fratricidal strife
The sorrow was too heavy for his weak
| ened strength to bear. His last public
utterance was a pathetic prayer for the