The New York herald., 1875-12-23
FATHER GRACE'S INTOLERANCE.

AFFIDAvrTs BY DE FRAY AS TO THE PAcTs-THE
STATEMENTS IN THE HERALD AFFIRMED
THE PRIEST FLATLY CHARGED WITH uN-
TRUTH-B1sHoP HENDRIcKEN APPEALED TO.
NEWPORT, r. l., Dec. o. 1874
The Providence Journal OF to-day contains lengthy
statement by the Rev Philip Grace, concerning his re-
fusal to oicate the funeral of Geneva De Fray in
which he takes exceptions to and pronounces libel
lous the heading "Presty Intolerance" TO article
which appeared in the HERALD Thursday last Upon
hearing his story read, Manuel Do Fray the futheraof
the child before justice of the peace and swore
TO the following AFFIDAVIT
AFFIDAVIT BY DE PRAY
] soemny swear, before GOD, that went TO Father
Grace Friday, the 10th inst, and informed him Of
the death of my daughter. He, without rising from
his chair, asked ''Did she see priests" ] answered
in the negative explaining that had idea that her
sickness would prove fatal He then asked what
school she attended and | answered the Protestant
THAT VIII dc, " he replied ~ understand It," then
prayers read You can have no priest, neither bring
her to the church nor have service at house You
a bad man." was his answer. then
begged to have his assistant Father Clinton,
perform the burial service telling him that
If he would allow il | would send carriage for him
This he also refused then asked him what should
do feeling keenly the peculiar situation in, and his
reply was, IL will allow you the privilege OF burial in
the Catholic cemetery, but you can't have the clergy"
Finally, refusing to say anything further Inc,
he raised his hand and pointed 1t TO the door, signify
ing that he wished me to depart
HERALD STATEMENTS AFFIRMED.
~ also that the statements made IN the NEW
York HERALD were substantially correct and were fur
nished TO Its representative by myself aud
family. l swear that Father Grace took the
above course for no other reason save that my
daughter allowed To GO TO the Protestant school,
further swear that he refused the mother of my child
the sacraments OF the Church at two different times
account Of her allowing Geneva the public
school His statements as regards myself false,
and he knows them 10 be. MANUEL DE FRAY.
Subscribed and sworn to before me- JAMES G. Pop
Tnoftc nf fhA
STATE RHODE ISLAND, NEWPORT, Dec 81 1875.
1t will thus be that the HERALD's report was ob-
tanned from a reliable source, and careful reading OF
Father Grace's statement will show that .he heading
.Priestly Intolerance" was what caused him
to write the article. Father Grace gave the
HERALD correspondent tho day following the
appearance OF the article all he had to say ustca-
tion of his action and 1t appeared in these columns last
Saturday. With this he stated that he satisfied and
that II was all an honorable journal could do and he
would let the matter drop. Appended to his statement
by Mrs De Fray and this is probably the
son Why ho took the opportunity TO assa the HERALD
Upon receiving the above affidavit inquiries were made
to
DE FRAY's CHARACTER
His neghbors were importuned, and those for whom
he had worked for many years. and all Joined in giving
him an excellent reputation for truthuness sobriety
and industry He has resided where he now lives for
the past twelve years He has daughter who goes
to the Catholic academy, and for whose schooling he
pays the usual prce, Geneva would have been sent
there If she had lived Tho distance from the Catholic
school being great was the only why she
permitted 10 10 the SCHOOL, Mr. and MIS-
De Fray acge that Father Grace has always been down
on them for the that they have paid up the
dues the church. and for this he has never
called upon them but he has been settled
over St Mary's church.
AN APPEAL TO BISHOP uESDRIcKES
Bishop Hendrcken OF this diocese has been APP
pcaed 10 in the matter and answer is expected
him in few days when IL Is hoped this unfortunate
AFFAIR will be settled to the satisfaction of all concerned
SENTIMENTS or LEADING CATHOLICS
The leading Catholics Of the place regret the occur
ance and state that they sorry 1t worked
itself print To their credit be it sad they have
no i'll feelings toward the De Fray family this their
trying hour, and would do all in their power bring
amicabe settlement between them and Father