, 1879-04-13
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF CHI
CEG0.

AAo AAVAAtAA oAtuuuC D16uOpb ~ 1ut fIc1t
diocese of st. Louis have been summoned
by Archbishop KESDR1cE to meet at St
Louis during the present week to make I
recommendation to Rome of suitable Buc
cessor to the late Bishop FOLEY. The St
Louis Watchn1a1, writing from full knowl
edge on the subject, says:
''Wo announced last week that the Metropolitan
OF St. Louis had ordered the Rectors OF the Diocese
OF Chicago, which Is see euffragan to him. to
assemble on the occasion Of the Months mind OF
Bishop FOLEY to ballot for successor to that
lamcntcd Prelate. We have sinco seen copy OF
the Archbishop's letter, and can g1ve more par
ticulars. His Grace not only calls upon the Rcctors
OF the Diocese OF Chicago to vote for their Bishop
but be adds that he will recommend their choice to
the Bishops OF the province at their meeting after
Easter in this city. The reason given by our Arch
bishop for this extraordinary measure ia the failure
OF Bishop FOLEY to leave the three names, as pro-
Elded in canon law, from which selection might
be made. But while this omission might Justify
the proceeding, the promise OF his Grace to accept
the choice Of the priests and TO urge its adoption
by his surasans, shows MIN to have implicit conf
dencc in the ability OF the clergy Of Chicago to
make good and desirable selection"
It will be remembered that the clergy Of
the Chicago Diocese met some weeks ago,
and with great unauimity recommended the
Rev. Dr. 1fcMu1LEN as their first choice,
Father R1oRDAS as the second, and Father
CONWAY Us the third choice. These names
will be laid before the meeting of the Bishops
Wednesday, and the Watc1man assumes that
the recommendation will be unanimously
given to Dr.. 1foAfUL1EN. That paper says:
''Dr. McMuLLES has long been prominent
priest Of Chicago. He completed his studies at the
Propaganda in Rome nearly twenty-five years ago.
and since that time has labored in Chicago both as
President OF college and as pastor OF a parish
" hen Bishop FOLEY came to Chicago he set about
remedying the evils which came from his pre-
decessor's misfortune, and his first step was to
ascertain the extent OF the alleged insubosdination
in the diocese. The priests for whom the Into
Bishop had conceived such an insane antipathy
were sent to obscure places in tho country.
They, one and ALL, submitted to tho order,
aud exhibited in their new fields Of labor
tho earnest zeal and capacity which had
before endcared them to the people Of Chi
cago. For eight years Bishop FOLEY did With
out Eicar- General. determined that he would
know his priests before conhding to them any por-
ton Of his authority At the end of that time he
called DR.. McNuLLEE to his aid and proclaimed
him Vicar General Of Chicago. Bnt years before |
That he had called both Father McA1uL1Ex and
Father ROLES from their retirement and restored |
hem to their former promtncnr positions in that |
:lty. When Bishop FOLEY lay On his death-bed |
1e thought Of none to whom kc could better con-
idc the interests OF his diocese than DE-. AcMu11Es
lie is priest who has been severely tried In the
'rucblc OF suffering, and he has proven the pure /
,od Of hts Character In the ordeal Years ago |
}c{ore Bishop FOLEY was named for the see, the /
lcsgy Of Chicago pchtfoned Rome to appoint Dr.
1cMuLLEN. They now have their choice DR..
tcMuLLEs is yiudicated, and Rome will honor
i'm. To have been good priest under goou re-
ort was credit, but to have perscvered in good
ess under evil report was heroic. There is to-day |
o more honozed name among the priests Of the
Vest than Dr.. McMULLEN, and tho Bishops OF ths
rovince will place all the priests OF the province
nder lasting debt Of gratitude by seconding the
lmost unanimous choice OF the clergy Of our
diocesc.''
The choice OF the clergy in this case will i
robably meet the cordial approval OF the
oman Catholic laity Of the diocese. DR..
[cMu11EN is gentleman Of rare ability, q
pc scholar and theologinn, and brilliant
rcacher. Though much of his theological
lucation was obtained in Europe, be has al
ays been, as boy aud man, devoted to Chicago
I'd Illinois. Here he first attended school, |
i'd, except when absent at college or on q
ission, he has lived in this city, and is
miliar with the people of Chicago and OF
e other parts Of the diocese. He is ut
:esent. Acting Administrator and Vicar
eneral, and enjoyed the unlimited conf :
'nce of the late Bishop FOLEY. Under all
ese circumstances, it is reasonable to ex- I
'ct TINT the Bishops Of the diocese, ali of I
hom nre familiar with his ability and his
gh character, will indorso the recommends
N OF the. local clergy, and that in due time
+. McMu11ES will be appointed by the au- >
critics at Rome.