New-York tribune., 1919-09-27
His Eminence James Gibbons
Saws u. S. Church Has
Solemn Responsibility to
Enter Outside Fields
New Board Is Created
Archbishop Mundelein at
Head of the Body; Con-
clave Is Adjourned
New York Tribune
WASHINGTON Bxreau


Washington Bxream
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26.-With tn,
Roman Catholic hierarchy in Americ.
organized for the first time in it,
history. the conclave at the Catholic
University was adjourned to-day.
Bishop Shahan, rector of the uni
versity and spokesman for the hier
archy, said the accomplishments of the
conclave represented the greatest for.
ward step in the history of the Ameri.
can Church" Summarized, these are
The general administrative poll
ces of the hierarchy will be placed
in the hands of the National We'll
fare Council.
The Domestic and Foreign Mis-
sons Board is created, with Arch
bishop George W. Mundelein. of Chi
cage as its head. This board will
rot be responsible to the National
Welfare Council, but will have an
rectly TO the hierarchy
J
diction in the American Church.
The autonomy of the provinces and
dioceses will not be disturbed in any
way. When the hierarchy meets as
body of spiritual rulers, the presi-
dency as a primacy of honor, will
be vested in the Archbishop Of Bal
timore, whether he be q Cardinal, as
at present, or not. This is in ac-
cord with the rules of the Second
Plenary Council, approved by the
Vatican. When the hierarchy meets
as the National Catholic Welfare
Council the presidency will devolve
upon prelate to be elected.
Catholic census will be taken as
soon as plans can be formulated.
To Draft Pastoral Letter
The promised pastoral letter to
be prepared as joint message from
the whole hierarchy, will be drafted
at once, under the direction Of the
general administrative board. 1t
will be printed and sent to every
parish in the United States in time
for distribution by December l. This
pastoral will be the authoritative
pronouncement Of the attitude of the
Catholic Church on all pressing ques-
tons of the day.
To-day Archbishop Hanna. of Sar
Francisco, met his associates on the
administrative board. The personne
Of the several bureaus that are to op-
crate under the direction of the ad
ministrative board will be made public
in few days. At the head of every
bureau will be q bishop. He will Sc
lect his own associates, with the ap-
proval of the administrative board
These bureaus will hold frequent meet
lngs and a report of their first year 9
activities will be made to the next
session of the National Catholic We'll
taie Council.
Bishop Shahan said: eve have laid
the foundation of an organization that
represents the greatest forward step in
the history of the Catholic Church in
America. Now we have an authorita
tive voice for the Church on matters
Of public moment. When an express
sion Is desired from the Church, or the
Church thinks it necessary to take a
stand on a public matter, the whole
body of the Church will speak through
this organization. The Catholic Church
will present an absolutely united
'front.'
An era o. missionary activity in this
- SA ApctISQ. anu lllc AulcIlCGH
Church will engage actively in foreign
missionary endeavors. Cardinal Glib
bons declared TO the condave that a
solemn responsibility rested upon the
American Church to go into the foreign
helds, calling attention to the dcsola-
ton and mpoverishment of many of
the Catholic churches in Europe as a
result of the war.
Bishop Shahan said the conclave had
discussed the legislation pending in
Congress and in the legislative bodies
Of the several states that had bear
ing upon Catholic Church effort He
said committee had been named to
watch legislation.
A definite programme for women will
De outlined by the committee on lay
societies
Until the next session of the hier-
archy, meeting as the National Cath
Ole Welfare Council, Archbishop Han
ha' as ranking member of the admins
!fatlve board, will act as chairman.
After the Incorporation of the council
an election Will be held.