Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-17
TO NAME BISHOPS
BY NEW METHOD
Decree Has Been Issued by the
Sacred Consistorial
Congregation.
AFFECTS AMERICAN DIoCEsES
Delays and Loss of Time Have
Occurred in Appointments
in the Past.

fN'ME December lG.-Thc long de-
lay that characterized the appointment
OF the new head Of the Los Angeles
Diocese and the loss Of time the sclec-
ton and appointment OF new North
American bishops and archbishops now
entail have led the Sacred Consistorial
Congregation to issue "a decree radi-
cally modifying the procedure followed
In the past and greatly expcditing the
filing Of vacancies.
Under the old system, when va
cancy occurred in one of the North
American dioceses. the other bishops
Of the same province submittcI to the
Sacred Consistorial Congregation n list
OF candidates. made after hearing all
the permanent rectors OF parishes
When the Congregation considered it
necessary to ask additional informa-
ton about tho candidates. the delay
was even longer. Very often the re-
suit occasioncd diocese to remain
without its spiritual head for many
months.
PRIESTS TO NE DESIGNATED
TO TIE aIETROPOLITAN
The new rules prescribe that, begin
ming with next Lent. and afterwards
every two years. each bishop will dcsig-
nate To the Metropolitan one or two
priests whom he considers qualified to
be promoted to bishop. The priests
selected must have been known for n
long time and very intimately to tho
bishops. The latter also will ask the
permanent rcctors to suggest names OF
proper candidates. and Will consult
with all the prelates and their dioceses
rs TO their character and qualifications
These consultations are strict secrets,
and the correspondence that eventually
Will pass between tho bishops and the
parish rectors must be destroyed. un-
der grave penalties. The bishops must
dates except among themselves. The
bishops also At liberty TO select
whoever they want regardless of the
Information obtained.
After the names of all the candi-
dates have been received, the arch
bishop VIII arrange them in alphabet
cal order, emitting the names OF their
sponsors and asking, if necessary, ad-
ditional Information about every one
of them. Even laymen can be con.
suited as to the candidates qualifica-
tions for the high Office. but always in
great secrecy.
FINAL LIST TO BE
PREPARED BY BISHOPS
After Easter the archbishop sets a
date for a meeting of all the bishops
OF the province, in order to prepare a
final list of those whom the Consis-
torial Congregation may appoint to fill
eventual vacancies. The meeting will
be a simple affair, and will open by
every one participating in il taking
the oath Of secrecy. y bishop will
preside, and another will act as secre-
tary. The candidates must be of ma
ture, but not advanced. age, highly
cultured. able administrators and pious.
The names of those who have re-
ceived 4 single adverse vote will be
stricken ort Immediately.
Zach bishop will have three ballots.
one white, one black and one black
and white. The first means vote in
favor. the second against. the third
noncommittal
The same system will he followe cd
in every State OF the Union The new
rules have been enacted after consult
inc with ell the bishops of the United
States