Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-05-29
ARCHBISHOP PURCELL.
RFLIEF MOVEMENT INAUGURATEO,
Address of His Eminence Cardinal
McClOskey, the Archbishop and
Bishops, Assembled in New
York, May 26th.
New YORK, May 2S.
To the Clergy and Laity Of the Catholic
Church throughout the United States:

erend Archbishop OF Cincinnati, II Is
not our intention to appeal to your SYM
pathies, which we know are already
sufficiently aroused. The facts OF the
case have touched your hearts with an
eloquence that needs no enforcement.
Neither is it our intention to pass any
verdict, whether of blame or OF vindl-
cation, on the causes which have led to
this deplorable state OF things. No one
needs to be assured that the integrity OF
the venerable Archbishop Purcell is
above reproach or suspicion, and 1t
would serve no practical purpose
TO enter into any discussion OF
the administration of his business,
and we desire that it should
be most distinctly understood that our
present action is no recognition ot any
obligation resting on the Catholic clergy,
or the people of the United States, to
assume any responsibility in regard TO
the debts OF any ecclesiastical person or
body whatever, that may at any time be
insOlvent or embarrassed. The Catho-
lie Church in the United States forms
no corporate organization, each diocese
is responsible for its own financial adj
miniStratiOn; nor do we, even IN the
present case, assume any responsibility
whatever, or in any way engage our
selves to discharge the Indebtedness or
any portion OF it. Burdened as all our
diOceses and parishes are, either
with debts OF their own, or
with works of charity and religion,
to be carried or to be begun, any such
action would evidently be rash and un-
warrantable. Neither do we intend
that our action in the present case shall
stand as precedent for the future. 1t
would be an injustice to ourselves and
our SUCCESSORS, and to all ecclesiastical
debtors and creditors that any such eX-
pectation should be entertained. Our
procedure is one of charity and OF will
ingness to assist Archbishop Purcell,
and TO second the efforts OF his own
clergy, and is for the present case alone.
All this being distinctly understood, we
now proceed to lay before you the re-
suits of our deliberations:
At meeting called by His Emincnce,
Cardinal McCloskey, and held at
his residence on the evening of May 70,
were present all the ArchbiShops and
Bishops who had assisted at the dedica-
lion of the new cathedral, with the ex-
ception of very few whom duty had
called from the city before the meeting.
4 letter was read from Cardinal Simeo-
nj, Project of the Propaganda in Rome,
expressing his qualification at the evil
dences already given of the willingness
of the Catholics of the United States TO
come to the aid of the venerable Arch
bishop OF Cincinnati in his great distress,
and givingearnest encouragement To the
same.
A statement was then read by Rev.
DR.. Callaghan, Secretary OF Archbishop
Purcell, showing from the figures OF the
assignee the real amount OF liabilities,
assets and surplus Indebtedness, and
the measures that had already been
taken and might now be counted on to-
ward arriving at practicable solution.
Here follows a statement OF the assets
and liabilities and the address continues
as follows: Accepting the payment OF
80 per cent. as the basis of settlement,
to which the creditors are disposed TO
come when they are assured OF the pay
ment of the remainder, and making the
widest allowance for the doubtful
character of portion of the notes, the
payment of which is not counted on at
all. it will be seen that the indebted
ness of the Archbishop OF Cincinnati
will be reduced to a million and hall
dollars. While the Catholic clergy and
laitv Of the whole country are moving
in the unity of Catholic faith and char
itv TO the aid of the diocese of Cincin-
natl, tn faithful of that diocese will
be inspired, without doubt, TO do
most generous part in relieving their
good Archbishop of his heavy burden.
In the past we know that they have not
been idle, their great zeal and courage
i'm the calimity that has fallen on their
diocese are well-knOwn and deserve all
the praise. Many of the more wealthy
have subscribed a thousand dollars.
COngrC gational and individual donations
have amounted to tens OF thousands OF
dollars. Committees have been organ
lied to relieve suffering creditors. Dlo-
cesean debt societies are multiplying
from day TO day to hasten the extinction
of the debt. What has been done in the
past is a bright omen of successful work
in the future. The cooperation OF all
Catholics OF the country will certainly
enlarge the noble spirit the diocese OF
Cincinnati has already manifested
The final figures were received with a
sense of relief and Of hope that the
evil nav not be irremedlable.
Especially did we feel encouraged to this
action bv the willingness already mani
tested by portion OF the creditors, and
confidently hoped for the rest to arrive
al an honorable and charitable compro-
mise. Had the condition OF things been
such as was at first feared, we could
have had no cOurge to approach an APP
parently insoluble problem. Or had
the creditors shown no willingness to
make abatement, which honor and char
itv dictated under the circumstances,
we would scarce have dared 10 put our
hands 10 a work that would still be be-
yond the reach of all practicable meas
ures. God forbid that We, or anyone,
should insist to take advantage OF the
creditors IN ulluCullleS MulCu NclEl ~
heavily upon them as on their
debtors. We fully recognize that
the obligations OF justice are in
no wav lessened by such difficulties,
but as such obligations can be met only
by the charity OF the parties who are
in no way responsible for the debt, il
is but right We should be met half
wav by the charity and honor OF the
creditors especially as SO very large
a proportion OF the entire debt consists
Of accumulated compound interest. All
this being taken into consideration the
assembled prelates resolved that united
action be taken as follows: Each
prelate agrees to have subscription
lists opened without delay, in every
parish in his diocese, for special contrl-
buttons, to be paid at once or in
installments OF five years; one copy Of
every such list when closed TO be sent
to the Ordinary and one to be kept by
the parish priest, for the collection OF
the amounts subscribed. In each
parish or mission there shall also be a