The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-09-23
TATHER nuTLER.

1t is said that the principal trouble be-
tween them WAS caused by his regret that
he was no longer an active priest. He
knew, it is said, that he had lost all that
his ambition had led him to look forward
to, and that in consequence his hitherto
amicable disposition became soured
Whether that was the only reason that
caused him to separate n short time ago
from his family after they had moved to
New York from Brooklyn, was not known
to my informant. but he thought there
were other reasons
A LETTER OF CONTRITIoN.
Yesterday the parish of st. Bridget re-
ceived O second and equally great sur
prise When the Gospel had been read
Father Hanley said he would preach no
sermon, but instead he would read them
d letter which Bishop Wigger had sent
was from Thomas E. Butler-he did not
say "Father Butler'-who was once as
sistant priest in this parish. This is the
letter.
HoBoKEN, N. j., August 0, 1889.
MosT Rev. Fermentation four years of
great scandal to the Church. and of torture to
my own conscience, have determined, with the
grace OF God, to abandon nay sinful course, and
to atone for the past, as far as in my power lies.
Iknow that have snned most previously, and
that am not worthy to be readmltted into the
Church, from which my unpriestly life has
banished me, but have not lost my faith nor
my commence III lue mercy OIL dOu, against
whom alone have sinned.
alone am responsible for the sacriegious cere-
mony of attempted marriage, and the great
wrong which have thereby inflicted on an inno-
cent girl Both of u.s. however, have severed for
ever the relations which caused this scandal, and
intensified the same in st. Marys parish, Jersey
City, to which she belonged, and in st. Bridget's,
where acted as assistant priest. Iimplore par
don for my shameful conduct from the people of
those two parishes, as well as from all others
who may have been in any manner affected by
I know that have forever for
feited the respect of my former fellow priests,
and that there is, in consequence, no prospect or
their midst again. l, however, ask the charity
of their prayers in whatever asylum it may be
your pleasure to place me. Asking again, with
all my heart pardon of all whom may have
gcandalized, and asking of yourself Most Rev.
Father, pardon for the great modification and
SORROW have caused you,
remain your most unworthy servant,
THos E. BUTLER.
THE LESSON OF THE HOUR.
When Father Hanley had ceased read
ing his voice was filed with sobs that
found an echo from nearly half of the
two thousand persons present. Except
these Sobs and SighS nothing else was
heard until, in solemn voice, in which
mingled much pity and affection, Father
Hanley told the congregation once more
the history of Father Buffers fall from
the priesthood. He said that the scandal
caused by the priest, through his unholy
alllaICS naQ eADeuucu IdE Huu Wlue, ana
beside having been told in all the papers in
this county had been extensively copied
all over Europe and in Australia He
dwelt with inexpressible sadness on the
conduct of Father Buffers practical ruin
alton of the girl and said he believed sim
cerely that the progress of the parishion-
ers had SO turned the heart of the fallen
priest that he was compelled by them to
write his letter of contrition and self
humiliation.
During the four masses held at the
church and at yespers Father Hanley said
substantially the same thing. When /
saw him last night after vespers he ap-
peared much affected.
Father said I, Twill you permit me
to have the letter for publication in THE
JERSEY CITY NEwsS"
II have expected to have you call on me
for it,, he replied, "and here it is.'
AS he said this he drew from his pocket
the letter above printed and handed it to
me.
AN ASYLUM IN CANADA.
"W5ll Father Butler be received back
.sMy son. said he solemnly, ''once
priest priest forever
Eyes, know that, but will he ever be
given a parish?"
ut is rumored that he will never be
placed in charge of parish again in the
United States.
.sWhere will he gof'
'He will probably be sent to nonas-