The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-11-17
ABIG ROW WITH ABISHOP
IT GROWS OUT OF IRIsa-GERMAN
RIVALRY.

The Priests of the Newark Diocese
Asked to Sign q Circular Affirming
Their Loyalty to the Bishop-They
Refuse and are Ordered From the
Hall By the Bishop.
Especial to the Associated Press)
NEWARK, N. v, Nov. 16-"I order you
all TO leave the hall at once! Leave the
halli Do you hesrf This was the way in
which most Rev. Bishop Wigger of New
York, according TO the story OF one pres
snt, adjourned a conference OF the priests
Of his diocese to-day. The priests ad-
journed so precipitately thatiattention was
attracted to them in the street. 1t was an
abrupt ending of what is reported to
have been a tumultuous gathering.
It may prove TO be the climax
of the discord and strife which has existed
for some time in the diocese between the
Irish and German priests. The condition of
affairs, which is a source of regret, was
brought about by Bishop Wigger's alleged
tendency to favor the Germans. Father
CorriganI of st. Mary's church put the
allegation into a practical letter, and set
the race blood boiling. There was do
cesan conference. secret of course. Bishop
Wigger was the presiding officer. Father
Corrigan was present.
A CIRCULAR.
The following circular was distributed:
DEAR SIR-We, the undersigned, loyal priests
of this diocese hereby protest our firm allegi-
snce to the bishops whom the holy see has
wisely placed over us. Respectfully your
obedient servants, ROBERT SETON, d. D.,
P. NJ. COBR.
A copy was sent TO each priest IN the
diocese. The idea was to have each priest
sign his name to one long petition. This
same thing was tried in New York some
years ago by Bishop Corri2an and those
who signed IL we're considered favorites and
those who did not paid the penalty.
When Father Corrigan entered be
was warmly greeted by his fellow
priests. The subject of the letters came up.
Some of the priests declared that they were
insulted and hot row occurred.
Very Rev. Dean Menulty Of Paterson
almost white with emotion, rose and in
language loud and clear protested against
the action of Mgr. Seton, and Father
Corr in asking the priests 10 declare their
loyalty. The priests Of the diocese, he said,
had never authorized them to take such
action.
THE BISHOP ANGRY.
The bishop raped violently for order.
He said he would allow no discussion and
ordered Dean Menulty TO make no further
remarks. Father CorrigGn OF 1oboken
then arose. The bishop was livid with sup
pressed emotion. Father Corrigan began
TO speak amid complete silence. He
said in substance that the circular was an
insult both 10 the bishop and to the priests.
THE priests were loyal to their bishop,n he
declared, land these reverend gentlemen
were casting a reflection upon the entire
clergy of the diocese by charging them with
questionable allegiance"
Then the bishop, jumping to his feet and
shaking his fist at Father Corrigan, said
that he would not allow him or ANYBODY
else to make any further remarks Then he
brought the conference to an abrupt close
by the unceremonious order to leave the
ball. Instantly there was q scramble for
the door. Passersby stood aghast at the
sight OF priests making what seemed
to be very disorderly retreat from some
Gated what had happened, they we're of the
opinion that the circular letter was an in
suit 90 all Of them. A well-known priest of
Newark said: "if Bishop Wigger wants to
prove Father Corrigan's insinuations false,
let him do so. if he can without bringing
every priest in the diocese into
the matter. The idea of testify
ing to our loyalty, Mgr Seton
and Father Corr think it necessary to testify
TO their loyalty, but for myself don't; and
what's more, / won't" 1t is now thought
that Bishop WigGer will suspend Father
Corrigan, in which event Mgr. Satoll
representative of the pope to the arch-
bishops conference in New York, will be
asked TO intercede and make an inyestiRa-
ton Of the diocese.