The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-16

that errand incurred the CispleaSure or the
bishop, although l had no idea of giving any
offense by so doing. promised the officers of
the fair at which the cane was voted to Mr..
Blaine that would take the token to whoever
might win it in the voting. Had it gone to Mr..
Cleveland / should have taken it to him; ard my
going had no political significance whatever, so
far as my intentions were concerned When it
became known that had promised to go several
prominent Catholic Democrats interested them
selves in endeavoring TO have the bishop request
to remain, and just the night before the
morning on which ] started. after / had my
ticket and had promised to go, received this
letter from Vicar general Bessonies:
''ST JOINS PARSONAGE, Oct. 81.
REV. h. O'Neil Rector of st. Patrick's Church:
Reverend and Dear Father-Itis reported that you
are going tomorrow morning to New York to present
the to j. G. Blaine That report creates great
disturban among Catholics and even your best
friends have sent messenger to at this late hour
of the night advise you not to CO. think the step
would be much disapproved by the right reverend
bishop and /, in his absence advise you to stay at
home, and let politicians attend TO politics. Yours
truly, in Christ. AUG. BEssoNIES, V. g..
ut was very late at night when I received the
note, and it was written by Father Bessonies
while the committee who caused it to be sent sat
by and waited for him to finish"
"What did you mean by your statement, made
this morning that Bishop Chatard had failed to
procure your eXeatF
This: When priests are ordained, it is to
serve in one diocese only and their allegiance is
TO but one bishop. In order to be placed per-
manently under the jurisdiction Of another
bishop it is necessary to obtain exeat from the
one in which he is located. / came to Indian
apolis two years ago last October. having been
recommended to Bishop Chatard by Archbishop
Wood, the former having written to him for a
good Irish priest. Shortly after came Bishop
Chatard asked me to write for my exeat
nothing, as such request must be
made of one bishop by another; and
| SO informed Bishop Chatard. He wrote to
Rome to know if my statement was correct, and
received an affirmative reply. He promised to
write for it at once but when next saw him,
two weeks later, he told me that he had been so
busy he had neglected the matter, but would
give 1t his Immediate attention. l relied upon
his word, and never referred to the matter
again. few days before Christmas l called
on him at the episcopal residence, with reference
to some parish affairs, and at the conclusion of
the conversation he turned abruptly and said:
Father O'Neill, have never asked for your
eXeat You are no charge of mine, and shall
not require your service any longer" l was
dumbfounded, but after a time asked for reasons,
which were not given. | then explained that
the church owed me 1894 on account of salary and
funds advanced and asked how l was to obtain
my money He instructed me to retain all reve-
nues thereafter obtained, from whatever source,
and apply on the account, which l have done,
but there is considerable sum due me. l re-
ceived $500 year and perquisites, and allowed
the 1894 referred to to be applied on the debts
of the church, which We're urgent agreeing to
wait for my money My relations with my
Pensioners have always been pleasant, and
Bishop Chatard has always expressed himself as
abundantly satisfied with my work, as evidenced
py this letter" The letter was one of recon-
mendation of Father O'Neill as a capable and
efficient priest who had done valuable work for
ST. Patrick's parish, and bears date of Dec. q,
1884. written after the notice to leave mad been
given.
During the day considerable talk was in
dulged in among the congregation of st. Pat
rick's, and it is highly probable that serious
trouble may ensue the first indication of it be-
ing given by the resignation of Michael Moroney,
one of the trustees, which he rendered after the
meeting Of the congregation A prominent mem
Der of the congregation, speaking of the matter
to a journal representative, stated that In all
probability the other trustees would take similar
action on next Sunday, or possibly before.
The brothers and pupils of st. Patricks school
united in a testimonial to the worth and popu-
larity of their PRIEST which was presented yes
terday, and was accompanied by q handsome
pocket case of surgical Instruments, to be used
in work among the sick. Several menbyrs of
the congregation also presented testimonials of
esteem and regard Father O'Neill will leave
here on Wednesday morning for his former bone
at Philadelphia
journal representative called upon Rev.
Dennis O'Donaghue during the afternoon.
Father ODonaghue, while admitting that Bishop
Chatard had requested Father O'Neill for his
resignation, stated that the latter's trip to New
York during the campaign had nothing what
ever to do with the matter, and had not figured
among the causes impelling the Bishops action.
Father ODonaghue will retain his position as
private secretary to the Bishop, but will trans
fer his home to the parsonage adjoining st. Pat
ricks Cathedral and hereafter all his work in the
capacity of priest will be done in that field.