Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1919-02-27
BISHOP BOWLING Is
MADE AN ARCHBISHOP

BISHOP DOWuuS WdS DOTu III loOo.
Graduated from high school In 1888.
Graduated from college in 1887, and
from the seminary in 1890. He was
ordained to priesthood in 1891 and
appointed to his first pastorate in
1904. He was appointed pastor OF a
cathedral in 1905 and consecrated a
bishop in 1912. He was appointed
archbishop in 1919.
Word was received in Des Moines
last Saturday that the Right Rev.
Austin Bowling, bishop OF Des
Moines, had been Appointed arch
bishop to succeed the late Archbish-
op Ireland of the province of st.
Paul. The report has been con-
firmed by the apostolic delegate, who
wrote Bishop Bowling, announcing
the appointment and congratulating
him on his elevation. While the ap-
pointment came as shock to the
Catholics OF Des Moines and the do
cese 1t was not unexpected by those
who have been in touch With the
bishop and have realized that the
church needs big men in big places.
The esteem Rome holds for Bishop
bowling is evidenced by the size Of
the task that is given him. Arch
bishop ireland has been one of the
man was necessary to fill his place.
Such a man has been chosen and the
place viii be amply filed.
The province OF st. Paul Is COM
prised OF Minnesota, North and
South Dakota. Minnesota has four
bishops, and South Dakota and North
Dakota two each. Minnesota is
wonderfully developed along Catholic
lines, but the Dakotas are newer ter
ritory and much work remains to be
done.
All speculation as to the successor
of Bishop Bowling are idle. A new
rule for the selection of priests for
preferment was instituted two years
ago which makes it impossible for
anyone outside OF the hierarchy of
| Rome to know who will be appoint
ed. Under the new rule the bish-
ops of a province meet every two
years and make list of priests for
lpreferment or advancement in any
line. The utmost secrecy pertains
as to these meetings and the lists
Submitted and Rome is not necessar-
ily guided by them.
IT is impossible to predict when
Bishop Rowling will leave for his
new position. With the greatest ex-
petition il would take a month and
ii will probably be longer. The bull
has not yet been received. and after
it is the Bishop must petition for his
pallium or insignia and owing 10 the
uncertainty of the mails the time is
very indefinite. No matter when il
is. ii comes too soon for the Des
Moines diocese.
1t is useless to say much of the
work OF Bishop Downing in the past
seven years. His work speaks for
itself, Few. however, realize the
task that was given him when he
came here. 1t is doubtful il there is
smaller or poorer diocese in the
country. With barely thirty-two
thousand Catholics. sparsely scatter
ed over one-fourth OF the state, the
Bishop was given the task of shaping
a diocese. The task was a big and
grave one. but IL did not deter Bish-
op Bowling and his successor will
find work grandly begun. He Is
leavinga college worthy OF a much
richer and more populous diocese en-
tirely out OF debt and an endowment
started. He has strengthened the
weak places. His greatest difficulty
has been in getting priests. With
no seminary and a great dearth OF
material he has been comoeiled to
go outside to procure priests as he
could. He has been more than sue
cessful In this and while the do
cese needs many more priests II is
In good working order and the rough
places are smoOthed out. Bishop
Bowling was an eastern man. trans
ferred to a country he knew little
about except ACCIDENTALLY. He fit
ted himself perfectly into his new
surroundings and was soon a west
ern man.
Speaking OF his appointment he
said. II don't know how I feel. I
appreciate the honor conferred on me
hut ! don't like to leave Des Moines.
! have my work planned and II Is
not done. wish had been let
alone ."
While Bishop Dowiing's people are
heart sick at losing him. they appre-
ciate the great honor conferred on
him and would not wish II otherwise.
We congratulate St. Paul.
The Western Wrold.
-O--