Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1875-05-29
rha oonseoration of Bishop Kain.


The censecration of Rev. John j. kain as
Bishop Of Wheeling, which took place at d.
Josepb,s Cathedral ON Sunday last, was the
most imposing religious ceremony ever VII
messed in that city. 1t was the hrst tine
that bishop of the Catholic church had oeeh
consecrated in West Virginia, and 1t drew
people from all sections tributary to tue cay
Ohio sent her delegation by hundreds, Penn
svlyania hers. while the C,tholie population oil
West Virginia seemed to have turned out en-
masse. a large number Of distinguished
clersymen were present, including bi'hop
Rosecrans, of Columbus, Ohio; Bishop ohan-
ahan. of Harrisburg, Pa. Bishop oHara. oil
Scranton, Pa. Bishop Dominec, OF Pii'sbure'
Pa, in purple man,les or eapes lhe rev D.
J. Kahn, bishop-elect, in the vestmen'S oil
priest, supported by Bishop Gibbons OF h'cn-
mond. Va, rs senior assistant bishop aud
Bishop Becker, of Wilmington, Del, as junior
assistant, being conspicuous in the procession
which was brought up by Archbishop B'yley'
of Baltimore. The whole WAS under the
charge of Rev. Stauislaus Feste, president OF
II Charles College, ueur Baltimore, as master
of ceremonies.
After the archbishop had taken his seat at
the altar, the bi,h ,p-elcct, who had been WITH
his attendant bishops at the small altar on 'he
north side Of the chancel, was presented to
the cousccrator by the senior assistant, wheh
tho onos,olic commission was read and the
oa,b administered TO the bishop-elect, alter
which the ceremonies Of conservation were
nerformed by Archbishop Bayley. The SER
mon was then delivered BY Bishop Gibbons,
Of Richmond. From his magnificent dis
course we take the following:
Your young bishop who from to-day Is 10
preside over you, did not SCI the homer CIV,
/ him. Had it been left To- lis own choice lie
would. 10 doubt, in lis humility, have pre-
/ rerred remaining at his former work "i eXlehi-
! inc still further the truth "I lbs mission al
Harpers Ferry. lie comes to you with the
endorsement Of the Vicar at Cod, which you
have heard read; the Metropolitan OF Balil-
more comes, at great fatigue. e. impose hands
upon him. aud your young bishop has the
| highest endorsement Of all who know his
apostolic life. The longer you know hlh Tie
more and more YOU will love lie will preach
to YOU that gospel preached by St Paul, ty
ST Peter. hy St. Patrick, and by your late
and deeply amented Bishop Whelan, 50 many
times in this Cathedral He cones to you a.
a financial manager, who has built hy his own
labor TWO churches that are an ornament u
religion. You will receive him, then. with
omen hearts aud give hin welcome httinG
his bameess life aud eminent qualities
While the TIE Deum was being sung, tic
newly consecrated bishop in hi rites, wcari"9
his mitre and carrying his cr'zier, passed
through the church, giving his blessing 10 The
people. On his rotura TO the sanctuary al
anthem was sung aud 4 prayer was rrcited
when Bishop Kahn gave his first solemn bless
ing in bis new position from the altar. Then
having knet three times 10 crossing the alta'
TO the feet Of the cuusccrator, " ishiug Lin a
long life, he returned 10 his own chair, and
with the recital uf the commencement q"
the Gospe! 81 St John. the ceremony tern'l'
mated the priests bishops aud others passing
gu, through the sanctuary to the bishops res
iience. Bishop Kahn is one Of tie younses
Bishops in the world.