The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-12-29
ARCHBISHOP PURCELL.
A STATEMENT OF HIS FINANCIAL
AFFAIRS.
why He Desires To he Relieved.
fCipciDnati Enoujrer.1

tNluGluudtI
Inc Cathedral congregation yesterday was
addressed by Archbishop Purcell, the priest
who was to offlclate not having arrived.
The address was listened to with unusual
interest. as during the remarks made several
subjects entirely new to those present were
broached and dwelt upon.
At the outset he caused a genuine pang OF
sorrow and surprise by announcing step he
had taken, looking toward cessation OF his
labOrs.
He said that he had learned that the priests
OF this diocese had, at O meeting held lately,
determined to make an effort to obtain for
him additional assistance by the selection of
some person who could do q portion Of his
@ Work and make the duties easier for him.
This action he had forestalled by letter writ
ten to his Holiness, asking to be relieved.
He bad stated In the communication that
he felt that his advanced years were not
equal to the increased labors, together with
the added risk of watching properly the
finances of the church. He then spoke OF
the money transactions. The ground on
which the Cathedral stood was purchased by
him many years ago for $4,000, and his
hearers could Judge OF it's value to-day. The
time, the building and ground debt was slowly
but surely paid off. The money borrowed In
the beginning had been returned to a cent.
Since then he had loaned money to parishes,
process Of construction, and money had be-
come so stringent that sums advanced were
not repaid to him at the time specified, and In
this way he was compelled to participate In
the general depression. He had lost $50, 900
by the failure OF John Slevin and
$4,000 by John Doyle, q very large sum,
but one that would not affect the church
In the least, as the security by property
and assets OF various kinds was more
than ample to cancel every outstanding
claim. Not long since he had mortgaged the
Central Avenue front OF the Cathedral
grounds for $35, 600, to relieve the existing
pressure. The Consadne property. which,
when given him, was worth 100000, had by
the natural shrinkage OF values, deprecated
fifty per cent. For this reason 1t had been
deemed advisable not to dispose of 1t as had
once been suggested.
The orphan asylum was relieved by large
sum, and that had also contributed toward
making money matters Close He finished the
financial part of his discourse by convincing
his hearers that no fears need be felt as to the
ultimate result, as all investments were Sc
cure and would be returned in due time
He then reverted to the orphans asylum
and spoke Of the fair for its benefit, now in
progress. Heretofore 1t had been his custom
to make cash donation at this time Of the
year, but finding himself unable to do so at
present. he had donated gold cross and
chain to the fair, and also his jubilee chaliee.
He urged everybody to assist this charitable
cation happy Christmas. AS the people
filed slowly from the edifice, the sole topic
among them was rs to the Archbishop's
action In writing to the Pope to be relieved,
this subject seeming to Overbalance every
other interest. 1t is believed and hoped by
the Catholics that he will reconsider his de-
termination.