The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-24
ARCHBISHOP PURCELL.

TIE VENERABLE CATHOLIC PRELATE SEEKING TO
DE RELIEVED FROM EPISCOPAL REs-HIS
FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS TO BE FULLY MET.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
CINCINNATI. Dec. %. 1873.
There have been rumors here for several weeks
past that Archbishop Purcell and his brother Edward
were financially embarrassed by the calls made on
them from parshioners and those belonging to other
churches for money that had been left in their keep
ing. This first brought to notice some two
months ago, Immediately after the failure
Of Hemans banking house. where Father Edward
kept his accounts some years ago. and though the
fact was promptly made known that he had closed
his account with Heman. yet the people
who had left money with the Archbishop
began. to show their wish to get il
out and what in business circles would be called
run set in upon Father Edward. who
has for years been tho financial agent
OF the Archbishop. Some three or four
years ago they had $l.ooo.OOO deposited with
theIn but since that time they have been reducing
the amount as rapidly they could call in their in.
yestments that at the beginning of this trouble
their indebtedness between 100000 and $3.50 900.
Ia the two last months they have reduced it from
this last sum to 100000.
AN APPLICATION TO THE POPE.
Yesterday Archbishop Purcell conducted servicc4
at the Cathedral unexpectedly to himself and tho
conrrcgaon, and in the of his sermon alluded
to financial troubles that were bearing upon him.
While doing so he further announced that he had,
some days before, addressed letter to His Holt.
ness Pope Leo. asking that he be allowed to
retire from the cpscopacy and another be appointed
70 fill his place. He went further, moreover. in this
connection, and said that if he permitted to
tire would not permit his successor the Church
10 assume the settlement Of these claims. which
worrying him much. but he himself, IL life
WAS spared, would see that every one Of them was
paid in full. This. Of course. was q surprise to
every one within the sound Of his voice. but sddt-
tional facts brought to light to-day show that tho
venerable prclate only carrying ont plan he had
had in his mind for some time past
PREVIOUS ACTION.
1t seems that time last month, when theras
was aconyocation Of Catholic bishops here to select
names be presented to the Pope for Bishop Rose
Grams the Archbishop asked the ccclesias
tical body to recommend his retirement
dressed 10 His Holiness; but they. with
many assurances Of their regard for him, declined to
do so. Acting on this impulse, ana feeling that he
really wanted to be relieved OF the cares of tho
position which he has held longer than any one in
this country, he addressed the letter to the Pope
which has caused 30 much talk
SENTIMENTS FLOCK.
II IL were merely his financial embarrassments
that harasscd him the Catholics here would not bo
twenty hours in raising the money to free him
from all obligations. Every prominent Catholic who
could be seen to-day grieved at the thought Of
his possibly retiring from the episcopal chair. and
there liz doubt that unanimous protest will go to
Rome from all the parishes in this bshopric against
his being allowed to retire.