Dr. Bourne, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Southwark, has been
nominated to the vacant archbishopric of Westminster. The Cardinals, in discussing the selection, are said to have eliminated Mgr. Merry del Val because of his present position in the Vatican, and Dr. Medley, the Bishop of Newport, on account of his age ; and would have elected Dr. Gasquet only that he occupies a lower position than Dr. Medley in the Benedictine Order. Dr. Bourne, who is only forty-two years of age, was appointed Domestic Prelate to the late Pope in 1895, Coadjutor Bishop of Southwark in 1896, and Bishop in 1897, and is said to be an energetic administrator and organiser; but his selection is not popular amongst the Liberal Roman Catholics, he being described as "something of a martinet" in regard to discipline, and likely to follow in the steps of Cardinal Vaughan in regard to the reform movement. The announcement of the choice of the Cardinals before its ratification by the Pope is said to be premature and irregular, and it is quite possible, though not likely, that Pius X. may refuse to confirm the nomination.
Previous page
