Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29
FOR HIS REINSTATEMENT.
Question About the Wording O.
Bishop Leonard'S Sentence
SETTLED BY THE COURT RECORDS.
He Is Still an Episcopal Clergyman, and
May Resume lis Work.
TEE DECISION ONLY LOCAL AT BEST
.PEc1AL TELEGRAM TO THE pIsPATcHi


pulpit of the Independent Congregational
Church here two Sundays, has consented to
the publication of the following matters not
heretofore made public. They include the
decision and opinion of the Ecclesiastical
Court which tried him, the dissenting
opinion, the Bishops letter and the minis
ter's reply, just sent.
The court for the trial of presbyters or
deacons recites its authority under the
canons of the church and makes its present
ment, which has been published several
times, and from which, therefore, are taken
simply the charges preferred against the
accused clergyman, viz:
Exact Finding of the Court
1t is charged that by writing and publishing
the book ('The Evolution of Man and Chris
tianity'') and by still holding and teaching the
opinions therein set forth regarding the virgin
birth and resurrection of our Lord, the Rev.
Howard MacQ Geary has held and taught. and is
now holding and teaching, publicly and ad-
visedly doctrines contrary TO those held by the
Protestant Episcopal Church in the United
States of America.
1t is charged that by holding and teaching as
aforesaid the Rev. Howard MacQueary vio-
lated declarations and engagements made by
him at the time of his ordination and thus has
done that which involves breach of his ordi-
nation vows
1t is the decision of the court, whose sigma
lures are affixed, that the accused is guilty OF
the hrst and second charges contained in the
presentment
This document is signed BY a majority of
the court Albert B. Putnam, Y. P. Morgan
and Henry B. Aves, They also sign the
following opinion:
3 Not to Teach Nor Publish.
In compliance with the acquisitions of Title
", Canon XII, of the digest of the cauons of
the Diocese of Ohio. it is the opinion of the
majority OF the court whose signatures are
hereunto affixed. that the Rev. Howard Mac
Queary shall be suspended from the ministry
OF this church until such time he shall have
presented TO the Bishop satisfactory evidence
setting forth that he will no longer teach and
publish the views concerning the virgin birth
and resurrection of ouT Lord Jesus Christ. as
set forth in the presentmenr and declared by
majority of the court to be contrary TO the doc
trines and teachings held by the Protestant
Episcopal Church in the United States of
America
The Bishop Wanted Retraction.
In explanation of the following letters it
may be well to say that Bishop Leonard, in
pronouncing the sentence OF suspension upon
Mr.. MscQueary, said that "the court had
decreed that in case Rev. Howard Mac
Queary fails to retract his errors in six
months" he should be deposed from the
ministry. 1t was the opinion of many, in
cluding some members of the court. that the |
sentence went beyond the decision and |
opinion of the court, and therefore Mr.. Mac |
Queary asked the Bishop to allow the de-
cision and opinion 10 be published and to
strike out the word ''retract'' and ''re-
tracted" in his sentence The following
letters explain the situation:
Further. if after the space of six month"; from
the lime of notification by the Bishop he shall
fail to comply with the condition of this
opinion herein set forth, he should be deposed
from the ministry of this cburca.
CLEVELAND, o., March H.
The minority report, signed by William
Henry Gallagher and George Franklin |
Smythe, simply dissent from the foregoing |
verdict and opinion of the standing COM |
mittee.
CLEVELAND, March o.
Rev. and Dear Sir: |
The verdict and opinion would have beer I
sent you before this, but have been absent |
IRON home and find your letters on my return. |
have just had copy made and forward it by |
this mail With the dissent Mr.. Gallaghers |
reasons" have been published Mr.. Smythe |
did not give me his, though he offered TO do so. |
am quite sure you do not believe me capable |
OF doing you an injustice or.of acting unkind'y |
toward you in any way. think that our rela-
tions have been unmarried by
Acrimony Lack of Courtesy.
So that in the preparation of the sentence |
have had but one sentiment, and that of sor-
row.
should you within six months present to me
Satisfactory evidence setting forth that YOU
Chez will no longer teach and publish the views,
etc." (Itslics are mine) would not that mean
Such = promise would be published to the
world. 1t would certainly be an acknowledg-
ment that you agreed with the majority of
the court" who declare your teachings
TO be contrary to the teachings and |
doctrines OF the church, and such promise
would be permanent pledge, would it not?
This is my view OF the opinion" My words
were not rescript of the courts expression
because that was hardly necessary, and the use
Of the word court is certainly correct though
the minority dissent But need not argue the
matter. aim simply to assure you that could |
not Intentionally do you an injustice. My per-
sonal letter with the sentence must have con.
WINGED you OF this. l am, faithfully,
". A. LEONARD, Bishop of Ohio
p. S. l ought to add that it was not my in
tention to increase the severity of the penalty
recommended If IL will be any more salts
factory to you to have the exact wording of the
opinion reproduced In the sentence am en-. |
tirey willing TO re-Write the same, and also if
you desire it. state that this is the opinion of |
the majority of the court. Return to me the !
original official sentence, and in lieu thereof I
will send you sentence following the exact |
wording of the courts paper. Of course it will
bear daIe from March Is, 1891. w. A. L.
Mr.. MacQueary's View of 1t.
JAMESTOWN, n. Y, March g.
ihe decision and opinion of the court, to-
gefleT wild I96 UlsS6ulluR OplI1On ana your
letter of the 23d inst have all just reached me,
FOR which / thank you. Your explanation of
the delay In transmitting the verdict accept
as satisfactory Your letter confirms the opin-
ion 1 have always held, viz: That you wished to
he as gentle and courteous in your dealings
with n as your ecclesiastical obligations would
admit.
! am glad that you offer to insert the exact
wording of the opinion of the court In the
sentence, and shall be obliged if you will do
So for don't understand the verdicr Just as
you do The court asks that l mo longer teach |
and publish" my peculiar views" of Christ's |
DIrth and resurrection. In other words, /
am asked simply TO omit all considera-
Elop OF these two topics from my teachings
and writing But "retraction" would hold
IN that diocese, for, of course, the court cannot
lay down the law for other dioceses. ''re-
traction" would involve admission that my |
opinions on those subj ecJs are erroneous, and
Ehis, of course could not admit Whether at |
She end OF the period named-six months from |
aiaTch ih-1 shall give the required evidence
that VIII mo longer teach and publish my |
views" shall remain an open question until |
September 10. lSel. Meanwhile have resigned |
my parish IN your diocese and feel at liberty to |
90 whatever my hands find to DO.
am, very respectfully.
HOWARD MACQUEARY.
Reasons of the Majority.
Mr.. MacQueary was asked whether he |
ought not to have been given the reasons of
the majority Of the court for their decision |
and opinion.
81 think So" he answered, ''but the
canon law on this point is not yery clear,
and rersonallv care very little about the