St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-12-01
DISPLEASEDTHE DENvERITES
Who Expected to Be Presided
Over by a Brother Of
Archbishop Riordan.
MGR. IRELAND INTERVIEWED
st. Paul Archbishop Refuses
to Discuss This or the
McQuaid Affair.

CHICAGO, Nov. 3O.-The Post says;
RumOrS of disatfection in Bishop MATHS
Denver diocese and his consequent res
ignation have brought to light remark
able story of ecclesiastical politics. in
which Father Riordan, pastor of st.
EliZabeth's Catholic church in this city,
and brother of Archbishop RiOrdan, was
deprived OF a bishopric after he had
been practically conferred with the
honor.
The episcopacy in question was the
very one from which Bishop MatZ is
now endeavoring to resign, and to
which it Is possible Father Mcclure, of
st. James church. may be elevated in
the near future.
The story goes-and it is now for the
first time made public-that there were
two candidates for the see in Denver.
These were Father Walters, of Lafay-
cite, Ind, who is now dead, and Father
RiOrdan, of this city. The latter was
the choice of the majority of the powers
in the church. and everything presaged
his election.
Archbishop Ireland cast his influence
with Father Riordan, and made his best
efforts to aid in obtaining his nomina-
ton. His assistance was of no small
moment, and in itself would ordinarily
assure the choice of any man for the
office.
Father RiOrdan, however, was not in
trenched behind Archbishop lreland's
support alone. He was favored by
nol HIct
guished prelate, it is said, did not hesi-
tate to enter the breach and declare
himself for Father Riordan. He let it
become known that his support was
with Archbishop Riorda IS brother, and
was apparently not unwilling that his
stand in the matter be brOached to those
concerned. When it was learned in
this city that Cardinal Gibbons. Arch
bishop Ireland and other dignitarieS of
the church desired that Father Riordan
be elected to the Denver diocese, 1t was
regarded among Catholics in this city
who had knowledge of the premises
that such action would eventually be
taken. Indeed. Father Riordan's friends
were grieving that he was to leave Chi
cago. thOngh they were pleased at his
advancement to bishOpric.
1t is stated on the best authority that
the course Of affairs went so far as an
Interchange of cablegrams between
Rome and Chicago. Whether or not
Father Riordan was really appointed
and the action was rec0nsidered will
possibly never be determined. Certain
it is, however, that he was given the
strongest recommendation 10 the SUI
preme authority in the Eternal City. 1t
is also fact that the general impress
sion existed among the best informed
ohurc IN mon hare EathRP RIOr1an's
appointment had been
Given Papal Sanction.
The order of procedure In an ap-
pointment to 5ishopric is as follows:
The candidates are considered by the
three, i'll this order: % Dignus. (2) Dig
nior, 80 Dignissimus.
From three names written opposite
these degrees of appreciation the pom
tifical powers supposedly choose one for
the office. Very frequently, though. the
range of nomination is not confined to
the list furnished by the suffragans, and
the papal choice falls upon some one
outside of those proposed by the suf-
fraganS.
1t would seem that such was the ase
in this instance, ash is alleged, none of
the three men suggested by the suffra-
Opric.
When the plans for Father Riordan's
appointment were thought to have been
consummated, ,and his friends here were
even preparing to testify their affection
for him before his departure, there was
a sensation upon the1annOuncemen that
another had been named in his stead.
This was Bishop MatZ. He had shot
over the heads Of the suffragans and, it
is claimed, through the help of the
Jesuits had succeeded in obtaining the
nomination.
That there was disappointment be-
cause Father RiOrdan was not given the
vacancy was not to be doubted. He had
a great popularity, both here and in
Denver. All the laymen (and nearly all
the prelates) in the West had hoped for
his elevation. Naturally, there was re--
gret at the outcome. 1t is limited that
it resulted in dissension in higher cir
cles OF the church. However that may
be, it was most aSsuredlY not conducive
to the best interests of the Denver do
ceSe, as recent events have shown.
Upon Bishop MatZ'S entrance into
church direction in the Colorado me-
| tropolis there was instituted what might
| be termed, so it is alleged,
An Ecclesiastical Boycott
Rich members of the laity declined to
| contribute to the church funds so liber-
| ally as they had hitherto. Finally debts
| grew. ana the finances became sadly
| embarrassed On this account, the story
| is, Bishop Matz resigned this week.
| But his res gnatiOn was dependent upon
| his appointment to another see. 1t Is
stated that this condition cam
not be met, and that Bishop
| MatZ will be forced to stay in
| his present place or resign uncondition-
| ally. From the terms of the document it
! Is evident that Bishop MatZ wished only
to be transferred from Denver. 1t also
showed that there were reasons for his
dissatisfaction with his episcopacy.
By this strange and uneX planned
manipulation of "ehurch machinery"
Father Daniel j. Riordan, one OF the
most respected and best liked of the
Catholic clergy In the West. was de-
! prived of an office which he would have
invested with dignity, and whose offices
he would have discharged with the abil-
| lty which is pre-emlnently his.
| Archbishop ireland was at the Grand
Pacific hotel today, but declined to talk
about Bishop Maiz or Father Riordan's
candidacy for the epscopacy. His grace
Qf ST. Paul also refused to discuss the
! recent attack made OH him by Bishop
McQuaid, of Rochester.
vr-.zeAA---sms.--.
lighted Their own Funeral Pyre.