PM. Ponenza [prepared for the CG of 13 July 1829] on Québec and Nova Scotia, in 22 paragraphs. Paragraph 22 contains three queries to be answered by PF. They are followed by a Sommario. In his letter of 31 August 1825 [to Macpherson; see SOCG 525], and then directly [to Caprano; see SOCG 529-530], MacEachern, bp. of Rhosus, vicar general of the abp. of Québec [Panet] in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Iles-de-la-Madeleine and Cape Breton Island, asked that his vicariate be made a bishopric, and that Cape Breton be attached to the vicariate [apostolic] of Nova Scotia. The writer recalls that, except for the vicariate apostolic of Newfoundland, the whole territory was under one bp. ordinary from Laval (1670 [recte 1674]) to 1815 [recte 1817].
The appointments of [E.] Burke as vicar apostolic in Nova Scotia on 16 March 1817 [recte on 19 May 1817; see Acta 033], of A. McDonell as bp. of Rhesaina and MacEachern as bp. of Rhosus on 23 November 1818 [see Acta 040-041] (the abp. of Québec [Plessis] was against their appointment as vicars apostolic), of two more vicars general [Lartigue, Provencher] on 29 January 1819 [recte 24 January 1820; see Acta 046], of McDonell as bp. of [Kingston in] Upper Canada in May 1825 [on 30 May the decision was deferred; on 20 December 1825 it was approved; see Acta 132 134] are listed. The human and physical geography of the country and its political system are described: climate, population (it doubled in 36 years), legislative councils, governors, Québec, York, Fredericton, Halifax, Anticosti, Bermuda, Hudson Bay, James Bay, are mentioned or described.
The current situation is as follows: [1] Scallan is vicar apostolic in Newfoundland, Fleming was appointed his coadjutor in the C[G] of 1 June [1829; see Acta 182]; [2] Fraser is vicar apostolic in Nova Scotia; [3] Panet replaced Plessis in 1826 [recte on 4 December 1825] as abp. of Québec, Signay is his coadjutor; his vicars general are MacEachern (New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island), Lartigue (Montréal), Provencher (Hudson Bay, James Bay); [4] McDonell is bp. of [Kingston in] Upper Canada, his coadjutor is Weld. A discussion of items 1-8 of the Sommario follows, in which Poynter's opinion is considered in favour of MacEachern (Sommario, no. 2), Panet's consent leaves room for doubtful interpretations (Sommario, nos. 6, 8), and MacEachern's seems to doubt Panet's consent (Sommario, no. 7).
The queries are, [1] Whether to ask the Pope [Pius VIII] to erect the new bishopric of New Brunswick, Iles-de-la-Madeleine, Prince Edward [Island], [2] Whether to attach Cape Breton [Island] to the vicariate apostolic of Nova Scotia, [3] Whether to appoint MacEachern bp. of the new bishopric, were this to be erected.
The Sommario contains: [1] Translation of A.B. MacEachern to Macpherson, 31 August 1825, certified by Cicognani, 17 January 1826 [see SOCG 525]; [2] Excerpts from Poynter to PF [recte Della Somaglia], 2 [recte 23] February 1826 [see SOCG 526]; [3] Excerpts from bp. of Rhosus [and Fraser]'s [letters of 6 May, October and 8 October 1828: see SOCG 527]; [4] Angus Macdonald to PF Prefect [Cappellari], 22 November 1828 [see SOCG 528]; Excerpts from Fraser's letter of 8 October 1828; [6] MacEachern to [Caprano], 12 December 1826 [see SOCG 529]; [7] MacEachern to [Caprano], 6 May 1828 [see SOCG 530]; [8] Excerpts from Panet to Holy See, 17 July 1826 [see SOCG 531]. Bs: fol. 247v, 261v.
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