Franco and the Bishops

Just how Spanish bishops are to be chosen, under the new informal, unwritten agreement between the Holy See and Dictator Franco, was revealed last week by a semi-official Vatican news agency. The Vatican will '"suggest" three names for any episcopal vacancy--there are now 18--and Dictator Franco will select one, pass it back to the Holy Father. "This accord," said the agency, "guarantees to the Holy See freedom of choice."

This plan resembles in reverse one in use before 1918, under which governments in many lands sent lists of candidates to the Vatican. Essentially, however, the device is a novelty, invented to placate Franco, who demanded the ancient royal right of appointment. Now Franco shares with Britain's King George VI the distinction of being one of the last rulers in the world who can make bishops.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.