New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-02
REPLY TO BISHOP WIGGER.
FATHER CoRRIGAN MAKES A STATEMENT.
HE CANNOT UNDERSTAND THE PRELATEs ;UM.'
MoNING HIM FOR TRIAL.

MoNING HIM FOR TRIAL.
The Rev. Patrick Corigan, Of Hcboken, gave to the
Associated Press last evening statement which, 10
part, Is as follows
now beg leave to say that the report that am 70
stand trial is correct and regret very puch Bishop
wgcer did allow the thing to drop as had earnestly
requested him while expressing my SORROW that 1 had
occasoncd Archbishop Corrgan and himself
ANNOYANCE while 1 dischaygng what regarded
sacred duty my church and country. ,ocpcsed two
things The attempt to GeTmanize America by means Of
tho church. and the denuncaton Of the public schools -
aobominationsn Ny criticism substantially thas
which appeared in the editorials Of some OF the srv
dalies OF New-York. 1 criticised the German Conene
AZ Newark as q body. and not az individuals II" Con
gross insuted American ntelllgense by uenouncns ne
nnic scbools-the most cherished institution Of the and
,a .abominations It insued the American church "
denouncIng some Of most distinguished prelates.
1 had then a perfect right as citizen and priest
n resent the attacks Of those foreigners and to show
NV follow citizens that the Catholic Church Il nos
respon sble their odous action. no natter who pre-
das over their deliberations These German. American
Catholic conventions have created bod blood Wherever ey
nave been held and they should be suppressed as
s,nca we don't want this OF and nationality,
which has arryed Gods children In hostile camps and
has sct the people Of Europe teach others hroats an
crred TO America and that Is just what those men are
fonenting by their demands and azgressions
II nv references 10 Archbishop Correan and Bshoo
wjoear were somewhat pointed do not think they gave
reasonable ground for an apology much less ior 'na'
which Is only assorted TO when priest has committed
great crime. did not speak oil Bishop wieser III MS
capaclty % Bishop Of tho diocese but simply as m'm'
ber Of that German Congress over whea he pro
s,dod every wear outside OF his own diocese, 70 inc
great mortycation Of his own Engishspeak'ns HOOK
Any difference that has ever existed between BISHOP
wIcoer and myself had origin in my advocacy OF On
mnrovement in the manner OF eecting Bishops In my
oppoon TO his severe Interpretation OIL 'ne i'"s
the Church regarding the attendance OF Cathohc charen
az the public schools and in my opposiuoh 10 ea"hsv
co-ra1fr
in the Affairs Of this country The late COUNCIL OK
Baltimore confirmed my views on the manner OF mo
election OF Bishops and the meeting Oh Areno'sops ~
NewYork during the last week agreed win his u-s
children who 20 to the public schools cannot be denieo
the sacraments Ny opposition TO Cahenslyism meets
the appreciation Of Americans eenef'iy' jung
ing from the unanrmity OF the press
I do not precisely blame the Bishop Tor many o. ms
very extraordinary actions, those against mys
Archbishop Corrigan and Bishop wisger WIRE no. On
speakng terms for years till Cahenslysm united hem
against Archbishop Ireland and Cardinal Gibbons.
The Bb~hop work with the best possible inten'
o and the good will the clergy. He turned 1or eouh'
sci in direction where he bad reason to expect " ou.
the little Maehiavclin clique abused ms commence ao
olsoned his mind against the priests who were his real
friends and the very soul Of the diocese one act aer s
other followed to astonishment OF the clergy ono
the nortiacation OF those who had made him Bishop'
These acts were certainly foreign the Bishops character
and Intentions only be explained by the
nary influence OF little MachaVel, who seenro 70
friends though he had been for years most ohseqaous
admrer OF that preate. The Archbshops selection Of
Dr. Wggcr his successor put quetus OIL inc spsco~a
ambition OF the alien whom refer. he. 0we'ef'
managed to his influence for time with the Young
priests near Archbishop by telling them that Y had
the written promise OF the Vcarienerashp from bshop
wigger When they found that this stntemeh, was uh'
rue and influences were at work against Afchonop
Corrgan's friends they dropped him as persn woua
hot IRON This being the case, IL was dmcut lor 'n'"
hehnd the scenes determine whether the uncupnoa-
eccesa.tic was aboring To mory the Archbishop or 70
rule the diocese by Of his extraordinary influence
over Bishop Wigger.
The fear that Manager Doane might be reappoined a.
y.arGeneral was sufficient cause TO make war on nat
distinguished occlesastic and war; too OF sueh
adly despicabe nature to leave stain Oh us
originator that AL the waters OF foush fuue eA '"'
wash out.
This happencd within weeks subsequent 10 the
bishops conservation. Four months more found me In
Europe. l shall forget the astonshment expert
enced when asked by Miss E. b. Edes. the well-known
correspondent of Archbishop CorIiRan II had come 20
Rome TO defend Bishop wigger Miss Edes Informed me
Ct had occurred since my leaving home anu rcao
Tor me the summons q Bishop wigser to Father Dosne
10 preent himself before the bishop and his councillors
IN stand an In the parliamentary questions Of
moral theology 1 laughed the affair ss foolish
fiction but she soon convinced that it not fable
few days aftewan from the American college
came to my End said that official wished me 70
call of the Propaganda did SO and soon found myself
In conversation with OF the most charming men na'
[ have ever met very anxious to obtain In
formation regarding Newark diocese and said that the
very persons had chosen Bishop Wieger were oudes
in their complaints against his extraordinary actions anu
that the Propaganda not responsible Tor MS appont
ment why" said he. Bishop Wigger's treatment OIL
Mgr poaue In summonlng him before himself and MS
Council 10 stand al examination in the rudmentary qne''
tlons OF oal theology gross insult TO the memory
q Archbishop Bgyey, who made him Chancellor OF the
Newark diocese and Archbishop Corrigan, who ap'
pointed him VicarGeneral and subsequently Admh"'
traitor; and. fact the Pope himself VINO maae hhn
member OF the Roman Court. The Propaganda Is very
sorry for having appointed him. and it would be very gao
To hear ANYTHING at all in his favor"
received two weeks notice Of the coming trial. ana
when | asked a reasonable extension oil ume was
peremptorily refused. is not trihns one 10
has already attracted the attention OF the whole county,
The refusal to grant ample time only shows how n1'
perfect is our tentative legislation, and how completely
IL paees a priest at mercy Of the Bishop who for
one reason another noy render very cincuit nos
almost morally impossible for priest TO obtain usuee'
save an appca and this necessarily requires
much time and money and not infrequenuy results VI
breaking the heart OF many priest