Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-08-27
A CATHOLIC PRIEST BEATEN In THE
SACRlSTY.
From the New York Tribune. I

SACRISTY.
From the New York Tribune1
About two years ago, Father Sanguinetti
came to this city from st. Louis, intending to
return to his native Italy. While sojourning
here, however, he was sorely grieved at the
spiritual destitutiOn OF the poorer Italians in
New York, and urgently requested the Arch
bishop to allow him to become their pastor.
The requisite permission was obtained, and he
at once entered upon his charge. Renting the
basement of the Catholic Church in Canal
street, he soon filled it with the faithful and
became so popular among his countrymen that
his congregation overhowed the little church,
and filled the courts on each side. 1t was his
great ambition to build a small church for poor
Italians. As priests are not usually good
hnanclers, he appointed two members Of his
congregation (they were brothers living in
White street, to be Secretary and Treasurer
The brothers between them bore the purse
Each Sabbath and feast day they received
contributions toward the new church, as we'll
as donations for the minister, and the rent of
the pews. The good Pastor, who had little
money of his own, and few friends who ocoa-
slonally helped him, told the officers to add the
donations intended for himself to the church
fund, saying that as long as he could he would
support himself without assistance from his
people, IT he could thereby further the object
he had so much at heart. Thus, for nearly
two years, the church went on increasing and
prospering. But at length, the pastor means
tailed him. He had lived poorly, on lenten
diet, clothed himself as cheaply as possible,
and resorted to all sorts of shifts to exc out his
funds, In order to avoid encroaching upon the
contributions OF the congregation. But the
end came at last, and, hungry and almost
naked, he applied to the Treasurer for money.
That person told him he could give him none ::
that the funds In his possession were to build
a n NOT To fanA IL
rather asked what ne should do, must he
starve, must he say mass with his clothes
dropping to pieces, or must he 90 into the
streets and beg? After much solicitation the
Treasurer loaned him S25; but five weeks after
sued him in a Ward Court for the recovery OF
the money, and friend paid it for him. Father
Sanguinetti told the Treasurer and his brother
that they must in future pay him the donations
received from the congregation, as he had no
other means OF support. Instead of doing this
however, they tied the money up in a pocket
handkerchief feyerySunday and carried il away.
The Priest was thus reduced to great distress
often suffering for the necessaries of life This
state Of things becoming known to the Irish
portion Of his congregation, they contributed
enough to relieve his necessities The Irish
element having largely increased in the con-
gregatiOn, they urged him to rent the church
up stairs, which was then vacant. He consent
ed, and although 1000 a year was asked, sue
eeeded in obtaining it for half that sum- The
brothers, when requested to pay the quarters
rent in advance, refused to do so, saying that
he had no right to incur so much expense, and
the money was raised by the pastor among his
friends. As the church was sadly dilapidated
and in need Of repairs, Father Sanguinetti
employed wOrkmen to put it in order This
excited the ire of the Secretary and Treasurer,
who claimed that it was their province to look
after the temporal affairs of the church and
rafu sod 10 for l.. Il.
order to be done. He then sought the Arch.
bishop for advice, who told him he had better
dismiss the officers and take the funds under
his own care. Acting up to this advice he sent
for the two brothers, who came to see him in
the sacristy on the 10th of July last. He told
them that they must give him their books and
the funds of the church, which now amounted
to between 800 and $500. At this thew became
very angry, swearing that they and not he
were masters there, and both of them fell upon
hlw, beating him savagely with their fists
kicking him and breaking a table and some
other furniture over his head Father San
guinettl says that, next to God, be believes that
the timely appearance of his courageous little
Irish servant-woman saved his life. She sprang
between him and his assailants, and picking up
stool, defed them to touch him again at their
peril. Thereupon the towards contented them
selves with crying "Down with the priest 10
80 hell with the priest '" and soon after left
Next day, when he was about to say mass in
church, they renewed their attack upon him.
coming up to the altar and calling him all sorts
Of evil things, but they did not do him De rsonaI
violence. They were finally removed by the
police. On the 18th of July an Italian named
Louis came to him and threatened to take his
life because he had appointed an Irishman
an officer of the church Louis also had to
be removed by the police.
On the 10th of July, an unknown italian
called to hire pew. Father Sanguinetti took
him into the Church, and, while showing him
the pews, discovered that he was armed with a
long knife, and was evidently watching for an
opportunity to take him of bis guard The
father, however, kept him at a distance, and
the fellow. evidently much chagrined, at length
left, saying he had no money then, but would
call again. In the course of the evening the
father found the front door Of the church un-
locked. and it is bis impression that his unknown
visitor intended to assassinate him, and then
escape through the front door. This singular
story is substantially as released by Father
Sanguinetti, himself, who says that he cannot
account for these attempts to do him injury
He has not yet succeeded in obtaining the
church funds from the late officers. The attack
that they made upon him was Of so severe a
character that be was for some time very ill in
consequence, and we are told he has sustained
injuries from which he will never recover He
has, however, borne himself toward his assail-
ants with Christian msgnauimity and forbear-
ance, neither prosecuting nor retaliating in any
way.