Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-02-24
WHO WILL BE
NEXT BISHOP :?

[Continued From First Page.l
the bishops of the province examine
merits of the candidates proposed by
the clergy, and, in turn, by a secret
ballot propose three candidates. If
they choose other candidates than
those designated by the clergy, they
indicate their reasons to the propa-
ganda.
Diocesan ConsuItors
The diocese of Harrisburg has six
diocesan consultors, as follows:
Very Rev. III. Christ. of Lancaster;
| Very Rev. James A. Huber. of Han
over; the Rev. Il. J. Crotty, of Cen
tralia; the Rev. j. McGrath, of York;
the Rev. w f. Boyle, of Gettysburg.
and the Rev. j. f. O'Donnell. of
Locust Gap.
The irremovable rectors of this
diocese are the following: Rt. Rev. j.
J. Koch, ID. D., of shamoisin;
caster; the Rev. Adam Christ, OF
Lebanon; Very Rev Arthur ]. Nc
| Thompson, of Steelton; the Rev. T.
f. y. Dougherty, of Lancaster.
The diocese of Harrisburg is in
the archdiocese or province of Phila-
delphia, presided over by Arch
bishop Edmond F. Prendergast.
JhoSe VINO Have n Voice
The bishops of the province who
will therefore have voice and vote in
the nomination of the successor to
the late Bishop Shanahan are:
Rt Rev. Eugene A. Garvey. bishop
of Altoona; Rt. Rev. John z. Fitz-
maurice, bishop of Erie; Rt. Rev. J.
+. Regis Canevin, bishop of Pitts
burgh; Rt. Rev. NJ. ]. Hoban, bishop
of Scranton.
Tho nriosts u.boso nar,as will he
submitted to Rome as desirable
candidates to succeed the late
Bishop Shanahan, will be sur
| rounded with the greatest secrecy,
much more pronounced than has
been the case heretofore. The late
pope, Plus Y, in March 80, 1910, is
sued after due consideration by the
s. Consistorial Congregation at Rome,
decree entitled DE Secreto Ser
vando," enjoining secrecy in the case
of the names of priests submitted to
the Holy See as worthy and capable
of being made bishops in the United
States.
Secrecy Maintained
The true nature or ecclesiastical
discipline requires that the names of
those who are proposed to the Holy
See for bishoprics in the United
States of North America, by the coun-
ellis of the clergy according to the
secret This is demanded by the de-
corum of the ecclesiastical election
and the Importance of the matter by
reverence for the supreme Judgment
OF the Roman pontiff, and in justice
to the candidates themselves. For
when, as frequently happens, their
names become known, by this very
fact they are subjected to discus
sion which, according to the varying
opinions OF men and newspapers is
sometimes fair, but more often un-
just and unfair. This, while it hurts
the honor of the candidates and some
times without the possibility of easy
or complete reparation. also consti-
tuteS an obstacle to the calm iudg-
ment of the Holy See and to the just
liberty of the election. Hence II hap
pens that many excellent men strive
by all means in their power TO pre-
vent their names from being included
in the lists of candidates, not only
on account of a most just fear OF such
an important Office as bishop, but
also so as not to become a subject
of public talk and to incur abuse of
various kinds.
In view of this state of things, a
number of the prelates of the Catholic
Church in this country, as we'll as
other very distinguished men, asked
the Holy See to provide a suitable
remedy.
Pope Plus, in order to ascertain
the best measures in a matter of such
moment. gave orders that every bishop
in the United States should be heard
on this point
Measures to BE Observed
With the advice of the cardinals of
the S. Consistorial Congregation, and
according TO the almost unanimous
opinions OF all the bishops of Am
erica. the Pope ordered that the fol-
lowing provisions be collectively OBJ
served by those whom they concern;
Il. When the consultors and parish
priests who have the right of voting
for the first proposal of candidates,
commonly called the terma, meet to-
gether, at the beginning OF the ses-
sion all and single of them shall take
an oath before the presiding bishop
to observe secrecy concerning the
names which come under discussion,
and concerning those which are ap-
proved by the majority of votes TO
be submitted to the judgment of the
bishops.
'2. If any consultor violates the
oath, which may God forbid in ad-
dition to the other penalties to which
he may become subject, he is at once
to be removed from the Office of con-
sultor; if parish priest, the penalty
shall be perpetual deprivation of the
right to vote.
"3. The bishops are obliged to the
same secrecy under grave sin; and at
the beginning of the session concern
ed with the scrutiny OF candidates,
the president shall suitably admonish
| them of this obligation.
"A. To the same secrecy, under
grave sin, are bound all the officials
of the apostolic delegation, Cat Wash
inston, ID. CO, according to the oath
customarily taken by them: and those
also to whom the apostolic delegate
may address himself to obtain suit
able information concerning the can
didates; wherefore he is bound not to
make known this grave obligation to
anybody-he questions either orally
or in writing.
'5. A copy OF this decree is to be
kept in every episcopal curia so that
it may always be a rule and guide for
those whom it concerns"
The pames of all the candidates are
forwarded to the Papal Secretary OF
State, Cardinal Gasparri, at Rome,
who considers them and refers them
! % nA