The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1883-09-29
Correspondence of N. o. Morning Star.
A Day Among the " Real Catholics :
Of Ascension Parish,
NEW ORLEANS. Sept. 12 1883.

OF Ascension caftSh,
New ORLEANS. Sept. 12, 1883.
Editor Morning Star:
The apparent pleonasm of real Catholics -
which appears ut the head of the present COM
munication, may somewhat puzzle you at first
sight. However it is put there for cause, as the
following narrative Will ahundantly demon
srate.
A comparatively small fraction of the menu
bers of the Catholic congregation of Ascension
tor, the Rev. Father Francis Xavier Geuppens
a priest In good standing, who has been their
Efficient and faithful pastor for the last twelve
years.
To reach the desired object, his removal they
inaugurated u series of vexatory measures,
which, because they failed of the end proposed,
have cuimlnated IN an open persecution. Thus,
on Holy Saturday last they served on Father
Gcuppens an injunction preventing Archbishop
Perche and his accredited agent, Father Coup
pens. from selling the pews of the church on
Easter Sunday, as had been the custom FOR
years. Claiming for themselves the right to ad-
minister the ternporalties OF the church, they
proceeded forthwith to sell the peHs by the
Deputy Sheriff.
Consequent upon the sacriiagious invasion of
Catholic rights, the church OF Donaidsongille
was closed by the direction Of the Most Rev.
Archbishop, and is still so at the present time.
Meanwhile the Rev. Father continued to re-
side at the parochial residence, from where he
attended to. the spiritual wants Of his parish
toner's, as best he could. celebrating mass in
private HOUSES at ulu1IbUL p0llIS OF ulS parish.
This. however, did not snit the maicontents.
SO on Sunday. July y, a band of regulators, to
the number Of about forty assuming to act in
the name of the Catholics of Ascension, without
any previous warning, made their appearance
at the parochIal residence for the purpose OF
ordering Father Ceuppe1s ont of the Dresby-
terry. They lntlmated to him that he flsst leave
the premises. and thereupon withdrew. Dis
covering, however. that the priest was not pre-
pairing to leave. they returned and summoned
him second time. ordering him to leave In
twenty minutes. To the second summons the
prosecuted priest opposed the same passive re-
slstance as f, the first. They reappeared a
third time with peremptory orders the purport
Of which was: The order is peremptory, you
remained i,nmovable. the leader OF the mob
shouted, at the top of his voice: Lay hold of
him" The Rev. Father was then surrounded
-Four men laid hands on him and saw him out
OF the church grounds into the public street.
Ihereupon Father Ceuppens came to the city
to advise with his ecclesiastical superiors as to
his future course Of action.
On Saturday, August 25. his lordship Z. x,
I.eray, Coadjutor Of New Orleans, went up to
DoEaldsonville, accompanied by Fathers Coup
pens and a.. Binder, his assistant priest, On the
following day conference. was held at the
presbyte1y the outcome OF which was, that the
propositions made by the opponents of Father
Ceuppens were rejected by tie Bishop, as they
contemplated an encroach'nent upon his ecclo,
granting little. The Bishop then made counter
propositions. Of which no notice was taken by
the warning faction. Thus things remained in
stGttt g1.O.
Meanwhile Father Ceuppens, in his anxiety
to procure to his people the consultations of re-
lgion. of-sThicl they had been deprived during
SIX long weeks. caused provisional chapel to be
opened at Smoke Bend, two miles above Don
On the following Sunday. September 2, he
OBLIGATED at this chapel to the greatest joy OF
and devoted congregation.
Once more his action and the marks Of IN |
feigned sympathy and affection which were
iavishly bestowed on the good father, were a
thorn III the Dyes of his enemies.
Another meeting was held that same Sunday
and five regulators were despatched III ali |
haste. They found the reverend father at 81 pTi-
7ato residence. and in the presence of two Wit
lesses they ordered him to go beyond the limits
that In case OF noncompliance, they We're not |
for the consequences.
The good Catholics of the neighbcrhood. upon |
1earlng OF TIE Outrage, and fearing that bodily |
t:.iHn would be done to their beloved pastos.
armed themselves and stood guard during the |
light and tie following day.
10 aEold collision, the reverend father
leened 1T more prudent 10 leave the parish
temporarily, Until such time as the law would
tttoWt INN the necessary protection. Oh last
sunday, Sept. q, Rev. j. Bogaerts pastor of ST.
Henry,s Church Of this city, volunteered to go
md cfficiate at tie provisional chapel in the
olace Of his exiled friend. This time the at
enhance Was still more numerous than on the
oreyicns SUNDAY. notwithstanding the short
oeople,all devoted to Father Coupons, congre-
rated ut the narrow chapel. It was seldom the
OF of your correspondent to witness u more
,ious assemblasc. All felt in their iamost soul
hat by their presence on this occasion they
Vere protesting il their most significant man
Ter against the high handed proceedings OF a
ct of Would-be prosecutors Of tie Church.
Many and loud were the protestations Of
ldeilty to Father Ceuppens, their legitimate
,astor, and many anxious inquiries were made
bout his return.
Seeing the good disposition Of the people
our correspondent was not slow il e1coura-
heir pastor, and taking occasion from the
east Of the Holy Name of Mary he exhorted
hem to invoke Mary. the Star of the Sea, who,
" her powerful intercession, would certainly
ring into d harbor OF safety the tempest
osaed Ship of Faith of the parish of Ascension.
J. EOGANRTS,
Pastor of St. Henry Church.