The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-16
CATHOLICS MUCH DISTURBED
A Priests Removal Creates a CommO-
ton Among His Pensioners.
Father O'Neill Makes Statement that Calls
Forth Some Resolutions Expressing Dis
approval of Bishop Chatard's Course.

A decided sensation among the Catholic pop
ulation was caused yesterday by the abrupt and
unexpected announcement by Father ODona-
ghue, at the conclusion of the celebration Of III
o'clock mass at st. Johns Cathedral, that he had
performed his last service for the congregation,
and would, in obedience to the behest OF the
Bishop, transfer his work TO St Patrick's parish,
the rectorship Of that charge having been made
vacant by the retirement of Father Hugh
ONeill The announcement produced most
profound impression upon his congregation and
the most remarkable scene was enacted. Muir
murs of surprise and disapprobatioE were
heard in all sections of the house, ard
handkerchiefs were brought into genera:
requistion The tear shedding was not con-
fined to the female portion of the congregation
by any means, ana the men, as well. gave
preston to their feeling in unmanly sobs and
womanly tears. No such scene was ever enacted
| under similar provocation in an Indianapolis
church Of any denomination. Father O'Donaghue
has been connected with St Johns as assistant
and pastor for eleven consecutive years, and the
character of his work among his pensioners
| has been such as to doubly endear him to them;
consequently the unexpected announcement OF
the severance of the ties between them, com
| ing, it did, without any notice. was most I'M
welcome
The transfer OF Father ODonaghue to st. Pat
ricks is caused by the peremptory removal of
Father Hugh ONell, who for the
past two years ~has occupied that
rectorship, and concerning whose rela,
tons with the Right. Rev. Bishop the
hand and his congregation the other there
has lately been much comment. It will be re-
membered that during the campaign a fair was
held at Masonic Hall, under the auspices of ST.
Patriek's congregation, at which gold headed
cane was offered the most popular candidate for
| the presidency 1t was voted to Mr. Blaine, and
| in compliance with promise made at the open
ing of the fair to present the token to the candi-
date to whom it was voted in person, Father
| O'Nell was deputed to take it to New York,
| where Mr.. Blaine was at the time, and present
| it, which he did This action the part of the
| reverend gentleman was variously commented
| upon at the time by the members
| oil his congregation in particular and the
| Catholic population in general, views
| varying in accordance with political creeds
| Since his return there have been many unpleas-
| ant consequences for Father O'Neill, and the
| question of his removal has been freely specu-
lated upon. A few days ago it was announced
| that he had rendered his resignation, to
| take effect shortly Conflicting reports were
| circulated as to the causes operating to bring
about this action, buta rumor to the effect that
the bishop had requested his resignation was de-
| MED, and the impression allowed to prevail that
| the good priest had consulted his prefer
ences in terminating his connection with the
church. Therefore, the departure of Father
| O'Neill was not unexpected, but, while it had
been regarded as settled that ST. Patrickssss was
| to have rector, immediate change was
entirely unlocked for.
Almost at the very moment Father O'Dona-
| ghue made the announcement above referred to
at st. Johns Father O'Nein was similarly
engaged at st. Patricks, and the latters remarks
called for demonstrations not less pronounced
or affecting than those of the other. Father
| O'Neill concluded his sermon, and asking for the
| indulgence of the congregation, proceeded to
make personal explanation OF his reasons for
coming to Indianapolis and the causes for his
departure. He stated that he had come from
| Philadelphia at the request of Bishop Chatard.
made to Archbishop Wood, for an Irish priest to
take charge of St. Patrick's parish. Until within
the past few months his relations with Bishop
Chatard, his brother priests and his parishioners
had been most friendly and cordial; but recent
events had produced a most unpleasant
change. His bishop had taken ofense at some
| imaginary grievance and had ordered his peremD-
tory removal Although Bishop Chatard had
promised to obtain his eXeat from the Phiiade-
phia diocese, he had failed to do So, and thus
now that he had been dismissed from this juris-
diction, he was left without home and adrift
"a fellow priest who disliked me- presumably for
the same reason the others did, recently referred
to me contemptuously as an Irish tramp"
said the priest in conclusion; 'and although at
the time thought the utterance to be false III
every sense, in view of recent events fear that
/ am indeed what he charged of mean Irish
tramp, without charge, without home"
At the conclusion of the service meeting of
| the congregation was hastily called, and COM
mittee was appointed to draft series of appro-
pirate resolutions the following being presented
as their report
.sWhereas 1t is with deep feeling of sincere regret
that we, the members of st. Patrcks parish re-
ceive the intelligence of the removal of beloved
pastor, Rev Hugh ONeill; therefore, be it
Resolved by the members of st. Patrick's Parish
That in our Judgment. language fails to do justice
to reverend pastor for the able and efficient
in which he has discharged the duties in the field
of labor assigned him. he was kind and courteous to
| ALL and generous. to fault He labored afectnally
| to cancel and remove the present incumbrance
the church property He also recognized the fact that
without good schools parish complete, and in
the recognition of this fact he spared pains in
modelling present school for the girls. thus giving
| health and comfort TO our children and the sisters
| And be it also
Resolved That, while not approving of the action
taken by the bishop of this diocese in ordering his
| moval from st. Patrcks parish without any apparent
we join with our late pastor IN saying we bow
in submission. and abide time in leaving cause
to Him who rectihes all mistakes And he it further
Resolved That while deeply regret the irreparable
/ loss sustained by the removal of late pastor
Rev. Hugh O'Nein, we hope that the memory and
deeds of so kind and loving pastor shall always find
warm place in the hearts of the members of st. Pat
ricks parish, and we wish him God speed in his
/ field of labor--wherever that may be-
! ROBERT r. WALDEN,
JAS. G. WALSH
| JERRY MCCARTHY,
| EDWARD HANNAH,
| ''TIMoTaY MONAGHAN,
1 A.