The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-03-24

ELzEAR A. TAscHEREAU, ARCHBISHOP OF QUE
Bee, ELEVATED TO THE cARDINALATE.
Monseigneur Taschereau, who has just
been elevated to the rank and dignity of a
Prince of the Church of Rome, by Pope Leo
XIII, belongs to one of the oldest and most
distinguished French families in Canada
Many of the Taschereaus have been Judges
in the highest courts of the land, while
others have made conspicuous names for
themselves in medicine, science, arms and
theology.
Originally the family came from Touraine,
when Thomas Jacques Taschereau, the
founder of the Canadian branch, landed in
Quebec in the early part of the seventeenth
century. He soon took an influential posi-
ton in the community, and it was not long
before he was appointed Marine Treasurer,
and in 1876 a grant was given him of rich
seigniory on the banks of the river Chan
diere.
The present Archbishop, now Cardinal
Tascbereau, is a grandson of this gentleman,
and he inherits much of his ancestors add
ministrative and executive capacity. He
was born at Ste Marie de la Beauce. Quebec
on the 18th of February, 1920. He was a
most precocious child, and was so far adj
vanced in his studies that at eight years Of
age his parents entered him as pupil at the
Quebec Seminary, one of the most promi-
nent Catholic educational institutions in the
Dominion. Here he displayed great assidu-
ity, and but a short time passed before he
attracted the attention of his professors, who,
finding him most apt and diligent. embraced
every opportunity which offered to push
on to the higher classes. At the age OF sew
enteen he was far enough advanced TO un-
dertake journey to Rome in company with
Rev. Able Holmes, of the Quebec Seminary,
and one year later he received the tonseur at
the hands of Monseigneur Patti, Archbishop
of Trebizonde, in the Basilica of St. John
Lateran. In the same year. 1887, he returned
to Quet &c, where he resumed his theological
studies, and six years afterward while still
under canOnical age, he was ordained priest.
The ceremony was performed on the 10th of
September, 1912, at the Church of Ste Marie
de la Beauce, his native parish by Monseg-
neur Turgeon, afterward the successor of
Archbishop Signal
The young priest was, very soon after his
ordination, appointed to the Char of Moral
Philosophy in the seminary, which position
he filled with perfect acceptance for up
wards of twelve years. He was bold and
fearless teacher, exceedingly liberal in his
views. and the Ultramontane element in his
church ever found in him an uncompromis-
ing and implacable obstacle. AS an evil
dence of his courage an incident in his
career is related which reveals at once the
magnificent selfsacrifce OF the man, and his
possession of extraordinary courage In
1S47 terrible fever broke out at Crosse ISLE
the Quarantine station in the River st. Law
renee, some thirty miles below Quebec city
1t ragged with great vlrulence, and hundreds
of emigrants and sailors died like sheep.
Many of the sufferers were Irish Catholics
who To pSnana faml and nnvQrfU in fhpir
own country, had sought homes in the
Canadian colony. The island soon became q
veritable pest house, and every day helped
to swell the dreadful death list. When the
disease was at its height Father Taschereau
heard the call of duty, and without mo-
ment's hesitation, he volunteered his services
to assist Father McGavran, the Crosse Isle
chaplain, in his ministrations to the sick
and the dying. He Immediately proceeded
to the scene of his labors, where he worked
untiringly until attacked himself by the
pestilence, when he sank exhausted on a
couch, from which his friends feared he
would never rise again.
In 1854 he was sent to Rome by the Sec
ond Provincial Council of Quebec, to pre-
sent its DEGREES for the sanction of Pope
Plus TX. He spent two years at the Capital,
the greater part of which was devoted to the
study of the Canon Law. In July, 1856, the
degree OF Doctor OF Canon Law was conferred
on him by the Roman Seminary. Soon after
this he returned to Quebec, and was appoint
ed Director of the Little Seminary, which
post he filled with very gratifying results
until the year 1859, when he was chosen Di-
rector of the Grande Seminaire, aud appoint
ed member of the Lower Canada Council
of Public Instruction. In the following
year he became Superior of the Seminary
and Rector of Laval University. the chief
Roman Catholic hall of learning in the Do
minion, and the holder of charter signed
by the Queen. In 1862, DIR. Taschereau &C
companied Archbishop Baillargeon on a
visit TO Rome, and upon his return, towards
the latter part of the year, he was appointed
Vicar General of the archdiocese of Quebec.
Two years later he again went to Rome, this
time on business connected with the
University. In 1866, his term of Office as
Superior having expired, he was made
Director of the Great Seminary and three
years later he was reelected Superior. He
attended the great Gcumenical Council at
Rome. with Archbishop Baillargeon, and on
his return to Quebec he resumed his duties
at the University. In October, 1870, the
Archbishop died, and DIR. Taschereau and
Grand Vicar CaZeau were called on to adj
minister conformity the affairs OF the d.
ocese. On the 18th of February, 1871, news
reached Quebec from Rome that DR.. Tas-
chereau had been appointed Archbishop,
and on the 10Th of March the ceremony OF
conservation was performed by Archbishop
Lynch, of Toronto in the presence of bril-
liant throng of ecclesiastics and multitude
of worshipers. Since then His Grace has
made several pilgrimages to Rome on bust
ness OF importance, and only last year he
visited the Eternal City on a mission in con-
nection with the affairs of Laval University.
His career as Archbishop has been marked
by dignity of conduct, remarkable powers OF
administration, and tact which is at ct,oe
admirable and judicious. He has all the
qualities OF successful prelate, and it is
with confidence that his friends regard his
elevation to the Cardinalate, there being no
doubt that be will fill the position with dig
nifty and ZEAL
His health is good, his frame is strong,
and his sixty-six years Of age sit lightly on
bis shoulders, and give promise of long