The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-09-10
THE MoOOsKREY CASE.

From oil over The land and from all sorts OF
people we hear nothing but commentator
OF the course OF the House of Bishops Of the
Episcopal Church In the case OF the licentous
Bishop of Michigan. In all respects the &C
ton taken by this, the highest tribunal of the
Church has been most commendable The
severest punishment that could be inflicted
has been meted out to the false priest, and
yet the country has been spared the filthy de-
tails OF his offending. What contrast Is
herein presented to the course pursued by the
Congregational Church In the case Of Henry
Ward Beecher.
It will be remembered that Bishop McCos-
krey sought to anticipate all scandal by re-
signing his bishopric on the plea Of failing
health. His resignation had already been
sent In, and he was on the eve OF departure
for Europe, where he proposed to spend the
remainder OF his days on a pension allowed
him from his diocese, when he was confronted
with the proofs Of his guilt by members Of his
own diocese. Subsequently, he withdrew his
resignation and denounced the charges against
him as villainously false and slanderous. and
declared his determination to meet his aceu-
sers face to face. In consequence Of this pas
sionate denial, the Episcopal ministry be-
sought suspension Of public opinion as due
to the reputation Of a prelate Of such high
character, pledging themselves that full and
even justice should be done of length. Their
promise has been kept to the letter.
Bishop McCoskrey knew too we'll the char
acter of the men composing the tribunal be-
fore which he had to answer to essay further
-
them. Knowing, also, that the proofs Of his
guilty life could be easily obtained, he aban-
doned the course he had set out upon and re-
peated his resignation, and escaped to Europe
in order to avoid d certain doom.
This was tantamount to a confession. and
upon 1t the House OF Bishops have wisely
chosen to act, thus avoiding the loathsome
details Of an examination. After waiting for
a decent length of time, through the presid-
ing bishop of the Episcopal Church Of
America, on the alleged grounds of abandon
ment of his episcopal functions, the House of
Bishops declare and pronounce Samuel A lien
McCoskrey deposed from the holy ministry
and from all the offices thereof" and he is
left to wander whittier he lsteth. dsowned
and dishonored man, whose shame shall cling
to him SO long as he shall live. .. -..-.
The case of Bishop MeCoskrey has but one
precedent in the history OF the Episcopal
Church In America. Bishop Onderdonk, of
New York, was suspended In 1916, and was
never restored to his functions. His brother.
Bishop Onderdonk, Of Pennsylvania, was also
suspended for his Incorporate habits, but
was afterward restored, though he kept him
pnlF II, n11t I, L.;
1t is greatly to the credit of the church that
1t has not hesitated to make examples of
even the highest of it's functionaries This Is
the way for church to keep itself above re-
proach. Let 1t make examples Of It's repro
bate priests, and the higher their standing and
the greater their influence, the more solemn
is the duty and the more impressive the
lesson. s.~.." ......."