The Courant reported on the process to select a new Bishop of Hartford

The lists were prepared by

• The consultors and the irremovables
• Williams and the bishops of the Province of New England.

1. The article reported that Williams had called a meeting of the consultors and irremovables following McMahon’s funeral on August 24, 1893, but it did not give a specific date for the meeting.
2. The article also did not specify when Williams and the New England bishops had generated their list of candidates.

“It may be six months before the selection is made, but it is thought that no such delay will ensure before the name of the new bishop will be known, and that the selection will be made within a few weeks.”

1. John J. Williams was the Archbishop of Boston.
2. A “consultor” was a member of a diocesan council, in this case likely the “bishop’s cabinet,” who would have advised Lawrence McMahon prior to his death.
3. An “irremovable” was a “parish priest” or rector who held his pastorate “by the good-behavior tenure, and not merely the bishop’s pleasure.”
4. Both lists would have had three names on them, and the names would have been ranked “worthy,” worthier,” and “worthier.” Leo XIII was not bound to accept any of the recommendations submitted by Williams.

Leo XIII will tell a group of American priests that he was close to making a decision about the next Bishop of Hartford on September 8, 1893.

Unattributed.  “Funeral of the bishop,” Hartford Courant, August 23, 1893, page 6.

Unattributed.  “The new bishop,” Hartford Courant, August 29, 1893, page 10.