The Irish standard., 1893-02-25

United States.
After serving for two years with great
success as assistant at the Cathedral and
EDITOR OF the Herald he was in 1895 ap-
pointed rector of the Cathedral. His
deep learning next procured for him the
position O. president OF the Di c-san
Seminary, in which he also ably filed
the chair of dogmatic theology.
MADE coADJUToR AT ST. LOUIS.
He was next made Vicar General o
the Diocese, a position that meant plenty
tf hard work. In the following year,
1887, he was given the distinction of be-
ing the accredited representative OF the
shintly Bishop Brute as his theo'ogian at
the Third Provincial Council of Balti-
more. About this time Bishop Rosati, Of
St. Louis, made application for the ap-
poiptment Of coadjutor and Father
Kenrick was almost Immediately chosen.
He was consecrated in Philadelphia on
Nov. 80, and succeeded Dr.. Rosati as
Bishop OF ST. Louis, Septembe 25, 1912.
At that time his diocese embraced Mis-
souri,, Arkansas, half Of Illinois, the then
territories of Kansas and Nebraska and
Indian Territory. It has now been di-
vlded into SO many sees that it now in
.cludes only the eastern part of Missouri.
When the young bishop assumed full
charge he found bis diocese in great
financial difficulty and with an immense
amount of unlmp1oved land, as the pre-
late facetiouely remarked, ''in the trea-
sury." He started to work with will
and order was soon restored out Of
chaos. A modern system Of bookkeep-
ing was inaugurated, and with new
financial era opened, the diocese was soon
out of debt. He next turned his atten-
tion to Che '.unimproved' land. That
speedily lost its 'unimproved character.
Churches, schools and converts were
built with amazing rapidity, and what
was once wild country became the built
up and populous city of St.Louis. While
looking after the material needs of the
people Of the diocese Bishop Kenrick did
not forget their spiritual welfare.
A CONVINCING PREACHER.
An excellent and convincing preacher,
he delivered series Of lectures on the
'Doctrines Of the Church" that. have
been sources of reference ever since.
! About this time he also founded maga-
zine called the Catholic Cabinet. It
contained many contributions from the
pen of the Bishop, and while it lived was
enriched with productions from many
eminent Catholic writer's.
In 1s47 ST. Louis was made an archi-
episcopal see by the late Pope Plus *,
and DR.. Kenrick was made it's first Arch
bishop. Thus far 1t has known no other.
His diocese has been called the Mother
Of Bishops, because it has given so many
prelates to the Church in America. In
1853 Archbishop Ken,ick received a
number of large bequests that enabled
him to carry out long desired wish Of
founding a number of charitable institu-
tions. This included numerous orphan
asylums, colored convent of the Oblate
Sisters OF Providence, for special work
among the colored people, deaf and
dumb institute, home for women seek
ing employment, q home for the aged OF
both sexes, widows home, lyipg-in
hospital, founding asylum, an indus
trial school, an institute for the insane
and many hospitals. Tt is safe to say
that in proportion to it's present size and
population st. Louis possesses more
charitable institutions than any other
diocese IN the United States.
AN OPPONENT OF COERCION.
{ During the war Archbishop Kenrick
devoted all bis energies and those Of his
priests to ministeripg to the sick and
wounded of both sides. He was nnre-
mitting in thie work and received for his
zeal the last blessing OF mary dying
soldier. After the war Missouri adopted
&C Institutional article requiring teach
ers and clergymen to take an oath Of
loyalty. An exalted patriot, with the
purest Instincts, euch thing was repug-
nant to the Archbishop. Once convinced
OF the right he refused to surrender an
iota and consequently instructed his
priests not to take the oath. Threats
and entreaties were succeeded by more
drastic measures, but the clergy remained
firm. A little later Archbishop Kenrick's s
wisdom became apparent. The Supreme
Court declared the article unconstitu-
tional.
Archbishop Keprick was one OF the
prelates who opposed the PRONUNCIATION
of the dogma OF infallibility. His posi-
tion ttion in the matter was CLEAR and c.suld
not be misund derstood. He did not
doubt the. truth of the doct trine, but ques-
toned the eoppo ortunenees Of it's announce
ment. After it had been officially sent