The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-10-23 00:00:00

EXTRAORDINARY CLERICAL
SCANDAL,

•
t. strange occurrence' has taken place in Dublin,
which has caused no little commotion and excitement
among the clergy and religious communities of
.the
city. The minister of a suburban parish some time
ago engaged a substitute to do temporary duty for
him during his absence in the country for the benefit
of his health. The new minister, who was known as
the Rev. Dr. Keatinge, proved a great. success. He
was regarded as an eloquent and ii kpressive preacher,
and became so popular that the ccngregation desired
to retain him, and were very indignant with the
rector for dismissing him on his return to town. A.
public meeting was held to give expression to their
feelings, and his piety, eloquence, and learning were
spoken of in most laudatory terms. The rector, how-
ever, was obdurate, and the gifted curate having
written a rather hasty letter in the course of a corre-
spondence on the subject of his removal, the differ-
ence was fouud to be irreconcilable. A subscription
list was then opened to present him with a testimo-
nial, and his popularity was increased by the public
sympathy excited in his behalf. He was announced
to preach on Sunday in the old Molyneux Church,
but suddenly the whole scene was changed; a com-
munication was received by the chaplain of the
church from Lord Plunkett, the Archbishop,
who had been favourable to the preacher, stating
that circumstances had come to his knowledge
which obliged him to withdraw the license and forbid
the use of the pulpit to the stranger. This informa-
tion gave a great shock to all who heard it. The
eloquent divine, it is stated, left Kingstown by mail
steamer on Monday evening. It is now stated that
there are ample grounds for the archbishop's prohi-
bition. The Rev. Dr. Moffatt, the rector for whom the
"Dr." was officiating as curate, having had his suspicions
aroused, went to Worcester, where he was informed he
could glean some astounding facts. There evidence was
placed before him which seemed to conclusively
identify as one person "The Rev. Dr. Keatinge," of
Dublin, and "Arthur H. Mereton, alias Dr. Keat-
inge," convict, of Worcester, sentenced to penal servi-
tude for forging qualifications as a clergyman of the
Protestant Church. A photograph of Moreton, in
convict garb, was placed in his hand by the chief of
the Worcester police, and the likeness of Keatinge
was at once recognised. Other matters of fact, in-
cluding samples of handwriting, were adduced to
sustain the identity. The "Rev. Mr. Keatinge"
began his ministrations at Milltown on Whit-Sunday,
and continued them until the last week of September.
Although he conducted the service, and led the
hymns, and read the prayers, and administered the
sacrament of the Lord's Supper, he did not celebrate
marriages. It has been ascertained that while
officiating in Worcester he did marry several couples,
and much trouble has been thereby caused. To
authenticate his credentials to the "Priests' Protec-
tion Society," the Rev. Dr. Keatinge produced, it is
admitted, a huge red seal, which he described as the
seal of the Roman College at which he was ordained.
It is said that he had been at one time an attorney's
clerk. He won the confidence of the archbishop and
others in the Protestant Church by representing him-
self to be a converted priest, and claimed protection
from persecution. His eloquence which so impressed
his congregations has been traced to other sources.
His masterpiece sermon," The Fall of the Leaf," Las
since been found in the standard volume of addresses
of Canon Liddon, of St. Paul's, Loudon.