The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-12
ARCHBISHOP PURCELL.
His Care for Young Men and the Money He
Spent for Their Education.
F. J. Goetz, in Dayton Democrat.

F. J. Goetz, in Dayton Democrat.
l was in Paris since February Is, 1851, until
August l6, 1855. There were several other
yct,rg men in Paris at that time, studying in the
seminary of St Sulpice for the archdiocese of
Cincinnati l remember Brent, Drummer, Fred
Bender and John G. Albrinck, now rector of the
Holy Trinity congregation, Cincinnati, l know
that Archbishop Purcell all that time except
the first year, paid for my board and tuition and
for books l also know that somebody paid for
the other students was very fond of books
and whenever 1 needed money I went to the
econome of St Sulpice, who was always pre-
pared to accommodate me.
One day l received a severe letter from Arch
bishop Purcell. He scolded me for buying so
many books, and he told me that he had no
money to spend for things not absolutely neces-
sary | remember very distinctly that he said
that he received no more donations from the
Propagation of the Faith or any other associa-
ton; that il was Father Purcell who gave him
all the money he needed or applied for
When Archbishop Purcell wrote that to me,
he told me no falsehood; no, he told me no false
hood
While was in Paris there were other stu
dents at Nantes, in Rome, at Mt. st. Mary's,
Emmittsburg and at other places. A question
to which want to draw the attention of Mr.
Mannix and all whom it may concern is this;
''On how many young men has the Arch bishop
Purcell spent his money during the whole length
of his administration at the different schools,
colleges and seminaries in the old and new eoun
try; what is the sum total spent for board, tut
ton, doctor bills books, travelling, etcl
| am told the Archbishop received 1920 900
from the Propagation of the Faith and the Leo
poldine Association. Whatever he may have re-
ceived, l contend and l shall continue to hold
until | see clear and positive proofs to the con
trary, that the money spent by the Archbishop
on the education of youth by far exceeds all the
money he ever received as donations from differ
ent sources in this country and in Europe
For my part, 1 have been educated by the
church for the service of the church. If the
church did not then make up all the money
necessary, II Should make it up now l have,
until now faithfully served the church, and have
thus paid my debt of justice to the church. But
have done more. l have nearly ever year paid
ten dollars to our own Mount st. Marys. | have
raised collections for the same much larger than
/ was obliged in justice or charity to raise.
Soon after the Archb:Shop's unfortunate crash,
collected several hundred dollars for him. even
at the risk of losing the good will of some of my
people, because then the minds were bewidered,
and the hearts were not disposed as | have
found them since l have tried by my little
influence to encourage the grand bazaar held
near the Cathedral for helping the creditors
II I had saved any money | would have given
up every dollar for the same purpose. But
have not become priest to make money, and
never made any. Instead of that, since Arch
bishop Elder, last December gave me the first
strong impulse for a new enterprise, | offered
myself my health and my life to help to pay the
dead Archbishop's sad debts. l had no favors to
to expect from anybody. Yet have received
the heartiest thanks from the creditors for hav-
ing at least shown my good will
If had been properly encouraged in my un-
dertaking. | would have owed no thanks to any
body because / was by no means working for
any personal interest present or future, nor
even for any benefit that might be believed to
accrue to my own congregation, in which there
is not single one of Archbishop Purcells credi-
tors.
Alas have been treated with silent contempt.