The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-16


This morning, at the Catholic Catneurai VI
Raint Peter and saint Paul, Eighteenth anu
Race streets, an immense congregation WAS
assembled to participate in the services peou-
lar TO the reinterment of the first two Ordins-
riea of the Diocese. The mRins of one mad peeh
resting In 81. Joseph's Cemetery, generaiV
known as the bishops Burying Ground" cor
uer of Passyunk road and washington avenue
and those of the other in Sts Mary OeneteiS'
hut as there is q spacious and speclahy cou-
s,ructed vault under the main altar OF the
f,athedral for the reception of the remains OF
tbose discharging the Episcopal functions OF
the Diocese, the present respected and jealous
prelate was an xious, as far as possible, TO nave
inferred together those who had laoored In thls
Bpiscopal See, that they might, with the sue
oessors to come after them In the Episcopacy,
Tepose in the slumber of death beneath the
altar on which would be daily celebrated the
Holy Sacrifice. The order was accordingly
given, and this morning was fixed for the
solemn and imposing ceremonies attending
the event.
The vault has been designed in a most be-
coming manner, and Is approachable only
nom the rear OF the cathedral. IL Is subdividsd
into many crypts or inches, OF such size and
construction as to admit of coffin, and the
entrance is closed by an immense marble
slab, which is again sealed and otherwise
guarded from intrusion. The two prelates
placed in this receptacle this morning were the
two nrst bishops of this diocese, whom we
shall speak OF in the order of their consecra-
tion, as follows
Right Rev. Michael Egan, ID. D., o. y. IF.
This was the prelste appointed for the pre-
sent Diocese when first erected into an Eplsco-
pal See he was gentleman .! ieaar11iing' I
and did all possible 10 advance the interests Of
mis- denomination dung ms !erln, ne was
born in Ireland, and came 10 this counVIy =
Father De Barth at Lancaster, and soon came
under the notice and esteem OF Right Rev.
Bishop Canoll, then of Baltimore. The latter
netiiioned the Holy Father for the erection of
four new Episcopal Sees. OF winch Philadelphia
was one. The REQUEST was grssntsed' s ,s ana Fs1neT
Diocese. He was a priest OF the franciscan
order las Indicated by the letters attached to
oiSaeln and would. from the spirit
of humility characterizing that community,
Willingly have avoided the ecclesiastical ele-
yation placed on him; but no such opportunity
was presented HIS appointment was made In
the year 1908. Rev. Luke Concaenan, A. r.,
the new diocese of New York, and being in
Rome at the time on business, he was en-
trusted with the Pspal bulls for the cousecra.
tion OF himself and three Episcopal brethren.
He went TO Naples and LeghoIn In search of an
American vessel, which he otd not ind; and
the country being sgitated at the time by COM
motion war, and strife, he was regarded as q
British spy, and taken captive. He died with
out being able to fulfil his mission: The bulls
by way of Portugal, and Bishop Egan was con-
secrated by Bishop Canoll In st. Mary's Church.
estabished St Mary's as the Cathedral, and he
continued as bishop until 1914, when he died.
Right Rev. Henry COnweII. ID. ID.
The successor Of the deceased Bishop WIS
seventy years Of age, who had neen active as
Vicar General Of tie Diocese Of Armagh, in
Ireland. Several previous appointments had
been made OF priests in this country, but dis
sensions and schism had broken out in open
rebellion, and the government of the diocese
being under such circumstances, anything but
desirable, they all declined. Father Conwell,
however, being man of experience, long In
the sacred ministry. accepted the appointment,
set sail for the scene of his future troubled
labors. During his episcopal term religion was
and the good Bishop had much perplextty Of
mind and many harassing circumstances to
contend with. So serious did the questions then
involved become, in relation TO st. Mary's
Church, that orders came from Rome direct In
relation thereto, and 1t was found necessary to
place the church, finally, under interdict.
cumstances at present, further than TO show
that they occurred during the term of Bishop
Conwell Annoyed in both body and mind, at
afiioted with total blindness, and Francis
coadjutor to the Bishop of Philadelphia. and
discharged all Episcopal functions until the
came the actual Bishop of the Diocese. in which
he continued until his translation to the Arch
ePisoopacy in Baltimore' M Re in 1851, when John n.
successor. Father Neumann had been q zeal-
Gus friend of the Redemptorist Order, and acted
as Bishop from the day OF his oonsecration.
March 28, 1852, until June 5, 1850, when, as is
remembered. he fell dead in the street. His
demptorist Fathers Al ST. Peters ch1rch, Filth
street and Girard avenue. in respect 10 whose
feelings and wishes they will be allowed tore
main RiahOO Neumann dufinQ his Enian0
established the present system OF parochial
schools and otherwise contributed much to re.
ligioD. Right Rev. James f. Wood. who was
appointed as his coadjutor April 20, 1857 cum
ilre successtonis succeeded to the Episco.
pate on the death of Bishop Neumanu,
and is the present Ordinary of the diocese. He
has accomplished more than any of his prede-
cessors, and Is highly respected by the entire
community, both Catholic and Protestant. He
phia so divided as to give him an Opportunity
Of giving attention to every part of the terri
tory under his Episcopal Jurisdiction. and by
the formation OF the Sees OF Scranton and Har-
rtsburg. the present diocese OF Philadelphia
consists OF the city and county Of Philadelphia
ES aha tne e0antes OF b9SRs, siS, beMTKs, UarDon
Northampton, and Schuylkill. AS the friend
and protector of the distressed orphan, BishoI
work OF religion in his diocese does he give
direct announcement and aid. He Is gentle
man OF superior Iearning, ssdnch ad hd oddsclP1ne pm
especially beloved by the clergy under his iun
mediate charge. Such is brief synopsis OF thu
Bpiscopacy OF the Diocese OF fPhlladelphla'
Appearance of the Cathedral.
The altars were shrouded In deep mourning
and in front of the main one was erected
magnificent catafalque, the handiwork of MI
Simon Garland Sndestsker; nd Gross IL a.v was s9I S
signed and on it rested the ashes OF the dc
ceased prelates in handsome coffins. bearin
tapers. The bodies of each of them were foun
to be almost entirely reduced TO ssees. but th