121
Establislement of tlte Dioceses, 1847-1948
Twenty-five years of heavy responsibility and constant labor had slowly undermined his iron constitution. Just as the second session of the Council was to open, the overburdened Metropolitan was struck with a severe ill- ness, which prevented him from attending the remaining sessions. Arch- bishop Blanc, aware of his failing strength, had repeatedly requested Rome to appoint a coadjutor, but without avail. Foreseeing his approach- ing end, he had, as early as August 28, 1855, designated in his will Vicar-General Edward Rousselon as administrator of the Diocese, pend- ing the ultimate disposition of the Vatican. Archbishop Blanc died on June 20, r86o, before any action could be taken on his recommendation. 23 It fell to Bishop Odin, as senior suffragan, to ask his fellow suffragans and the archbishops of the United States for suggestions concerning a candidate for succession to the vacant See." The result of the canvassing indicated general agreement in favor of Odin as the logical candidate. The Bishop of Galveston, however, was filled with consternation. "I am already sixty-one years of age," he remonstrated, "and begin to feel the infirmities of age. New Orleans needs a younger and more active Bishop. The material interests of Texas will suffer by my departure." 25 It was the last of these considerations that weighed heavily on his mind. Archbishop John B. Purcell of Cincinnati very appropriately pointed out, however, that the successor should be of French origin, one familiar with the character of the French people and the particular problems of New Orleans. 26 These two qualifications probably proved to be the deciding factors when the question was considered by the Vatican. The Bull of appointment, issued on February I 5. r86r. naming Odin the second archbishop of New Orleans reached the worried prelate on April 19. 27 The decision should have been no surprise to Odin. The con- firmation of the dreaded action, however. distressed the modest Bishop I I, 17Q2. He was almost 68 years old when he died after serving as Bishop of New Orleans from 1835 to 1850 and as Archbishop to the day of his death. Shearer, PfmHftcia Americana, p. 1 30, note 2. For aetails of his death see Elder to Odin, New Orle:in~. June 22, 1860, C. A. T. 2 'Prior to I 859 it had been customary for the suffragan bishops of a Province to 23 Archbishop Antoine Blanc was born in Sury le Comta1, France, October submit to the Holy See names of candidates for appointment. but in that year it wa!I decreed that in the selection of a metropolitan, the archbishops of the countr~• !lhou\d also be consulted. Guilday, Tl,e Councils of Baltimore. 206. 25 0din to Francis Patrick Kenrick, Galveston. July 28, 1860. C. A. T. 26 John B. Purcell to Odin, Au.1rust 6, 1860, C. A. T. 27 Richard H. Clarke, Li11es of the Der.eased Ris/1(1,p.r n.f ,;,,. (/11ited Stnlu, 11, :?:?6,
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