The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-04-11
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DEFERRED MATTER
BISHOP KELNE.

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THE NEW CATHOLIC BISHOP OF RICHMOND.
The selection Of Father John j. Keane, as
Bishop of Richmond, meets with great favor
among the Catholics Of this city. The an
nexed sketch of his life will prove of interest
to many OF our readers
Father Keane is of comparatively hum
BILE parantage. He was born in the parish
of Killbarn, Ballyshannon, county Donegal
Ireland, September 18th, 1899. In 1S4S his
parents emigiated to st. John, New Bruins
wick, and two years later removed to Balti
more, where. young Keane attended the par
ochial school attached to st. Vincent de
Paul's Church for about four years, when he
entered Calvert Hall, under the charge of
the Christian Brothers. which was at the
time consideredtheI best Catholic school in
Baltimore. His academic studies were COM
pleted at that institution, and at the age of
seventeen years he decided to engage 10
mercantile pursuits. and entered the estab-
slishment of John Murphy & Co., Catholic
firm of booksellers. He remained with MUIR
ply & Co. for three or four months and then
procured situation in the wholesale drv
goods store of Jno S. Barry & Co. While
here, lie began his preparatory studies, hav-
ing decided to enter tie priesthood. He re-
manned at Barry's for twelve months, during
which time he prosecuted his studies dill
gently, and when he left there he entered
st. Charles College, in Howard county Md.
In this Institution young keane displayed
remarkable proficiency, especially in his La
tin and Greek studies, and finishe his col
legiate course in an unusually brief period
He next entered the Theological Seminary
of st. Sulplce in Baltimore, where he re-
manned for four years. When he was ordain-
> ed to the priesthood and was Immediately
appointed to st. Patrick's Church in Wash
ington, D. c., where he has remained ever
since. The only sister of Bishop Keane died
while his parents were residing in New
Brunswick. and Of his two brothers, Thorn
as was drowned in 1858 and Terence died
three or four years ago.
LIFE OF LABOR AND USEFULNESS.
In his youth Bishop Keane was very deli
cate, and ir was not thought by his friends
that he would live to reach manhood, but
within the past few years he has greatly i'm
proved, and is now in the enjoyment of eX-
cellent health. His mother died in Balti-
more in 1868, and his father who subsequent
ly married second time, died in the fall of
1877. Bishop Keane was distinguished as Il
close student. In his youth he was also no.
ted for his strict truthfulness, having on
more than one occasion, when at school, pre-
ferred to incur punishment rather than pre-
varicate. He has frequently visited the city
of his adoption since his ordination to the
priesthood, aud has often been selected to
ofticiate on important church occasions. He
preached in the B fillmore Cathedral several
times upon Invitation of the late Archb shop
Bayley, during that prelate's administration
and few weeks ago delivered an eloquent
Grafton on the occasion of the obsequies of
Pope Plus TX. In 1872 he made tour
through Ireland, France and Italy, accompa-
MED by his father, who was then in delicate
health, and upon his return, at the earnest
solicitation Of many of his friends, delivered
a lecture nponshisf travels. He frequently
contributed to church papers, and was well
known as a mar of great literary ability.
Actuated, probably, by his literary tastes,
about five years ago he entertained an idea
of entering the Order of the Pauiist Fathers,
but 1T Archbishop Spalding's earnest solicit
tations consented to remain secular priest
with his charge in Washington. Bishop
Keaae has always been an ardent advocate
Of Temperance. During the memorable tour
OF Father Mathew through Ireland some
years ago, the Bishop, then a mere boy, took
the pledge, and ever after observed it. He
was also free from the other small vices to
which youths are generally addicted, never
using tobacco in any form. While at the
Semieary Of st. Sulpice he and Rev. J. j.
Kahn, now Bishop of Wheeling, were alter
mated in maintaining the posts OF honor in
their class.