Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1854-11-25
EVENING STAR.
THE HARTFORD CATHOLIC C0ETRO-
VERSy

THE HARTFORD CATHOLIC C0ErRo-
vERsg
The following is the Bishops reply to
the charges against him, involved in the
publication of the Hartford Times with
reference to the Catholic Church difficulty
in that city. and the subsequent death OF
Father Brady, the former pastor there:
TO TIE EDITOR or THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
As you have copied most libelous and
unfair statement in my regard, you will
permit me to put yourself and others
right in the matter. was not. in the
first place, asked to give burial place
in front of the church TO the remains OF
the Rev. MIR. Brady.
I'd. The church fronts on the street,
within a few feet of the sidewalk the
space intervening was never contem.
plated for burial-space, neither is there
burial-place in connection with the
church.
Sd. The Rev. Mr.. Brady died pos
sessed of a battle-ground, where I had
right to expect bis interment. unless in
formed of his desire to the contrary.
4th, was not informed of the Rev
Mr.. Brady's request to be buried "near
the church" until about ii o'clock of the
day of his interment.
5th. There is no railing lr front of the
church, and none contemplated to b.
there, consequently the place was unfit
for burial place, as any enclosure raised
in front of the church would be much
out Of place. and detract greatly from the
appearance of the church.
9th. The church at Hartford belongs
to me; it cost something over $40, 900
had to assume the ertire debt, about
$27 900; the balance was paid by the
people; consequently, if any friend of MIR.
Brady had wished his interment there, |
should have been informed of it.
7th. Had been informed in season of
the so-called request of the deceased, to
{" be inferred near the church." would
at once have directed his interment in th.
church, which would, in the case, have
been the proper place.
You will observe then. first, that was
not consulted as to the interment of the
body of the Rev. MIR. Brady by the mover,
or movers, in the matter. I'd, that these
movers selected place most unfit, and
never intended as burial place and
Sd, that they selected it without consult
ing the proprietor of the place selected for
the interment.
These are facts that cannot be set aside,
and these facts show that [ have been
greatly misrepresented, and that some
editors have permitted themselves to be
imposed on by the fabricators of the
marvellous.
I removed the deceased from the pas-
toral charge of the congregation last July,
for reasons which justified me 80 far as to
leave no other alternative before con-
science. Could / have justified myself
before conscience in again restoring him
TO the charge of the same congregation,
would most cheerfully have done SO. for
l never entertained any personal ill-will
toward the deceased. In reason. offer
ed him another congregation, considering
myself justified in doing 80, as in . new
place the same obstacles TO his ministerial
success would not exist as st Hartford.
can find no ground for self.reproach
in the matter; did similar case occur
again, would be impelled to act IS did
in this instance, unless | became willing
to sacrifice conscience and betray the in
terests of religion.
AS to the action Of the people in the
case, it was limited to few, the chief of
whom is a most worthless man. and was
SO considered by the deceased.
While the congregation deplore action
Of scandalous character on the part of
any holding communion with them, they
can congratulate themselves on the fact
that the action of few evil-disposed
persons-And such may be found among
every people-csnnot deprive them Of
their good name.
This is true and full statement of the
facts in the case, as far as I am con.
cerned, and facts will ever, with an en-
lightened people, outweigh assertion and
libellous statement. The only favor |
ask of those editors who have published
| statements from other quarters on this
matter, or made comments based on
these statements, injurious to me, is the
publication of this article. Respectfully
yours, tBERNARD O'REILLEY,
Bishop of Hartford.
Providence, Nov. 81, 1854.