El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-02-20
Golden Jubilee
Celebrated By
ChNrchLeader
Catholic Clergy and Laity
Pay Homage To Car
dinal Gibbons.


Washington. D. c.. Feb. 2O.-ClerEy
and laity OF Roman Catholicism gath
cred here today to pay homage to the
venerable head Of the church in the
United States, cardinal James Glib
hons. at the celebration Of his golden
Episcopal jubilee. Pope Benedict was
represented by archbishop Cerretti,
pOntificial blessing 10 the aged prel-
ate in testimony OF his services as
bishop for half a century and as a
cardinal since 1856.
Dignitaries OF the church said the
celebration was the most notable
gathering OF the Roman Catholic
hierarchy in North America in more
was represented by distinguished
business men and government Off
Gals.
Is Simple Affair.
Extreme simplicity marked the cele-
bration. which began with ponticicaI
high mass in the church Of the Fran
Ciscan monastery at Catholic univer-
sity. cardinal Gibbons being the ceie-
brant, assisted by the very Rev L p
Ryder. Of Baltimore, assistant priest:
Mgr. Thomas II. Lee and Mgr. James
F. Mackin, Of Washington. deacons
Of honor; Mgr James P. Holden. Bal
timore, deacon. and the very Rev J.
B. CreedOn. S. J., subdeacon- After
the services the visitors formed in
procession and marched to the refec-
tory, where dinner was served.
PreIate's Work Praised.
Archbishop Cerretti, speaking for the
pope: cardinal OConnell. for the
hierarchy in the United States. and
cardinal Begin, for the Canadian
clergy. praised the work and character
Of cardinal Gibbons. Archbishop Glen
non. OF St Louis. responded to the
toast. Our Country.
Cardinal Gibbons replied briefly,
much touched by the tributes
Thankful for Peace
Thanksgiving that the blessed sun
Of peace has dawned" and praise for
the work Of the papacy in attempting
to mitigate the horrors OF the war
formed the theme OF the reply OF car
dinal Gibbons 20 addresses Of con-
gratulatOns-
The venerable prelate was in a fe-
fictitious mood
During his speech he paid a tender
tribute 20 the late archbishop Ireland.
OF St Paul. the patriot whom his
fellow citizens loved to honor"
4 thank God that We are assembled
today when the war is over. and the
blessed sun OF peace has dawned upon
US, he said
Praises Pope Benedict.
During that tremendous conflict.
there was one majestic figure that
lowered over all others I refer TO
our holy father. Benedict XIV. 1 be-
hold him now. in Imagination. stand
ing like Moses on the mountain. with
uplifted hands. praying for his spir-
blood.
The holy father was iinjustiy crit
icised ia those days. He was blamed
by the allies because he did not side
with them He was blamed by the
central powers because he did not
espouse their cause But the holy
father could not be a partisan He
was too exalted a parsonage for that
But. though not a partisan, he was not
an Indifferent spectator Of the horrors
ne Witnessed He frequently protest
ed against the Outrages perpetrated
in Belgium and France; and he was
habitually exercised in the benevolent
work Of effecting change Of prison.
ers and in many other ways mitigat-
ing the horrors Of war.
l. Exalted Parsonage
The sovereign pontiff stands out
today the most exalted parsonage in
christendom- Kings viii die en-
perors will die. even popes viii die,
but the papacy lives forever
The popes have seen the rise and
development OF all the governments
Of Europe. It is not improbable they
will witness the death Of some Of
them and chant their requiem
They have seen Kingdoms changed
10 republics and republics changed to
monarchies. They have looked on
while the ghouls. the vandals and
visigoths invaded the fairest portions
Of Europe. upsetting thrones All
this they have seen while the divine
constitution Of the church Of which
they are the guardians has remained
unchanged. We may apply TO her the
words OF the apostle;
&c These shall perish. but thou re-
mainest and all of them shall grow
old as a garment But thou. o i'm
mortal church, art always the same.
and thy years shall never fail"