The morning call., 1890-05-28

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The Omaha Republican of recent date, upon
the occasion OF the celebration of the thirteenth
anniversary of the Reverend Fathers cOnsecra-
tion as Bishop OF Nebraska. says; Right Rev.
James O'Connor was born in Queenstown, Ire
land. September TO- 1923. An elder brother,
Michael OConn0r, was one of the intellectual
giants OF the Catholic sanctuary. Cardinal Wise
man. whose wonderful abilities and deep aud
varied learning lifted him In an eminent degree
TO perceive aud measure tho Intellectual gifts OF
others, saw IN young Michael O'Connor, while he
was pursuing his studies In Rome, the rare
ability which was aiterward revealed tn MIN as
Bishop OF Pittsbufg. In the same time.
hOnored school of ecclesiastical learning OF
winch the Bishop OF Pirtsburg was
a most honored graduate, James OCon-
nor received the Completing OF his edLcA-
ton When boy he accompanied his brother
nrst labored In the ministry. After course OF
study at the seminary Of ST. Charles Borromeo,
james 0Connor entered the college OF the Prop
uganda, 10 be trained Ike his brother, under the
best masters OF the Catholic world. IN the SCI
ences of philosophy and theology. Ordained a
priest Ia 1S45 he began missionary work iu the
diocese Of Plttsburg, 10 which see his brother
had been elevated few years before. His great
personal worth and his administrative abilities
were soon felt throughout the diocese, and
led TO his appointment TO the presidency of
The diocesan seminary OF st. Michael In 1857.
No one has ever discerned more clearly than this
distinguished eeelesiastic the need of a highly
educated clergy IN the country where the Cath
ole church has so hopeful future. 10 him The
words Of Holy Wrt, The llps OF The priest
snail keep knowledge; another people shall seek
wisdom al his mouth" Is not truth past
and dead, but ever living, more necessary in
these days to guide Alright the souls OF men than
in times when education was less widely diffused.
IL Is thought, a principle. which has flied his
soul and cOoged all his labOrs IN The Catholic
ministry. He believes, as all wise leaders OF the
right In this country see, that knowledge
Cut from love and faith
Is some wild palace OF the brain OF demons
higher hand must make knowledge mild
II all be not in vain; and guide
Her footsteps, moving SIDE by side
With wisdom like Younger child.
BY his counsel as well as by his position as
rector of ST. Charles Seminary, Oyerbrook, to
which oitice he was elected by Archbishop Wood
OF Philadelphia. he did much TO widen tue cur
rlculum Of ecclesiastical studes IN this country.
lie gathered around him men OF conspicuous
ability, like the late Drs Bslfe and Corcorau. so
tnat under his management st. Charles leaped
TO the first rank among such religious instItu-
tons For short time preceding his appoint
meut 10 Nebraska he discharged the duties OF
pastor OF 81. Dominic's Church in one OF the
suburbs of Philadelphia
In 1866 Rome named him Vicar Apostolic of
Nebraska, under which title were included Wyo-
ming, Montana east of the Rocky Mountains,
and Dakota west OF the Missouri. He was con-
secrated August 20, 1876, in the chapel OF the
Ladies OF the Sacred Heart, Eden Hall, of which
community be had been the devoted and loved
chaplain. Archbishop Ryan of Philadelphia was
the consecrator, assisted by Bishops Shanahan
and 'HaTa. To form some faint estimate of the
success OF the labor OF this missionary Bishop it
IS necessary to have only 10 compare the Catholic
Church In churches, schools and charitable iusti-
tuious with It's present condition, which
rivals In all points and surpasses IN
many points much older dloceses. The par
able OF the mustard seed has passed iuto
an historical fact In this rarely blessed land
OF Nebraska. The smallest OF seeds has grown
into large, beautiful, life-giying tree. On
Bishop O'Connors arrival here he found vast
territory where Catholics were comparatively
few, poor and widely scattered. In This large
spiritual harvest-held, which has since Yielded
such abundant fruits, In the whole of this wide
bounded vacanate in 1876 there were only TWEEN
ty-seyen priests, twenty churches and eighty
stations, places visited by Catholic priests at
long Intervals. The whole Catholic population
did mol exceed $4,000 The multiplication of
churches, schools, clergy and charitable institu-
t0ns since that time has been wonderful. AS
cities are improving IN this Western world, so
also with The same rapidlty dioceses have grown
up and Catholic Episcopal sees have been
erected with the same swiitness, as the
fabed city Of the deep, rising with It's walls
and towers complete. Five Bishops now eXer-
else theI episcopal office, where Bishop OUUn.
nor then ruled alone. Out OF his vacanate na We
been formed The doceses of Lincoln Cheyenne
Helena and Dah ota and soon another diocese
VIII be formed out Of North Dakota In this ter
IltoIy there are to-day 210 priests, 334 churches,
263 stations, "a schools, and Catholic popu-
lali0n of 100000 The diocese OF Omaha Is now
restricted to Northern Nebraska, Gut within
comparatively narrow limits there are to-day 6S
priests, 2lb religious women 23 churches, 64
stations, and the Catholic population accurately
numbered exceeds 10000. Tbiileen years ago
IN tile city oil Omaha there were but 800 Oatho-
llcs. Two churches afforded them abundant sit
ting room. Ii could not boast of one Catholic
school. Swift as weeds. but beautiful u. tall
lilles, even II they cannot yet boast OF great
architectural beauty, the congregations have
grown TO be eleven, nearly all having two priests
10 minister TO their wants. Within the city limits
are three hospitals and three academies for girls,
Two under The care of the Ladies OF the Sacred
Heart ana the other fiourishng under the drec-
tlon Oh the Sisters of Mercy. One OF the highest
ana noblest landmarks OF the city is the Creigh-
ton college, OF which all our citizens are justly
proud. The Jesuit fathers true TO their reputa-
tioh Tor learning. educate 200 pupils In this ill.,
slitution OF learning for the more learned walks
OF llfe The education is entirely free, happy
condition of things, owing 10 the wise lib
eraliiy OF its Catholic founders, Edward
Creighton and his wife. Every church In the city
mas lts parochial school. The Catholic popu-
iatlon Oh the city has grown mOfe than hundred
Iold. III numbers to-day not less than 20, 600.
Like JONAH 5 gourd 1t has grown to Its present
size, but, unlike 1t, there Will be no whitening.
Everything that untirlng zeal can do TO enlarge
the Catholic tent anu to strengthen its lines has
been done Catholic education for the Catholic
youth 6as been so deeply rooted III the soil OF
NEBRASKA mat the Increase OF the Catholic falt n
Is reduced TO mathematical certainty No
BISHOP In this country ever built more wisely for
Christian iaith and morality than Bishop O'Con.
nor, and the growth has been In proportion 10
his wisdom. Moreover new laws OF discipline,
Wncn are being adopted for this country, aud
whlcn VIII remove many obstacles from the pain
OF Bishop, Will furnish new source OF splr-
ftual increase. Not the least among these
is the formation of new tribunal 10 try ecclesi-
astlcal cases In this country. Ihis court VIII
play an important aud beneficial part In tue
lntuie history OF the Catholic church ln the
United States.