The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-11-23
DEFIANT FATHER DUCEY.
He Writes q Letter Of Rebuke to
Archbishop Oorrigan.
PRAIsINa THE LExow COMMITTEE

Warned by the Archbishop Against Attend
ing Meetings Of the Lexow Committee,
the Priest Intimates That He WIN Dis
obey the Command.
NEW YORK, Nov. ss.-Rey. Father
Ducey, of st. Leo's church. East TWENTY
ninth street, last night sent a letter to
Archbishop Corrigan, in answer to the
letter which he received from that digni-
tary few days ago, in which the arch
bishop took him to task for taking such a
prominent part in the meetings of the
Lexow committee. In his letter Arch.
pishop Corrigan admonished Father Ducey
70 abstain In the future from attending
the sessions Of the committee without per-
mission from HIM. In his reply Father
Ducey says:
Il regret to have received this evidence
OF your excellency's want Of appreciation
OF my persistent devotion and sacrifice in
the interest Of truth, morality and relig.
lon. For years have felt that you should
be, next to the holy father now reigning,
the greatest factor for good In the whole
Catholic world Unfortunately am sorry
TO say that here in New York the greatest
opportunity In tho world for good and hu-
manity and the Catholic church has been
thrown to the wind and we are now reap
ing the whirlwind
am not the only man who believes
and thinks that the greatest opportunity
heaven has thus given to the Catholic
church since the days of our Lord and his
apostles for good, has been sacrificed in
the city OF New York. Had the church,
through churchmen, openly acted with
courage in opposing the corruption of this
city the Catholic church would have glor-
led throughout the world. Now, DIR.
Parkhurst has won.
THANK God am able to say that for
more than twenty five years have, as a
Cathoiic priest, protested without ceasing
against the efforts Of Tammany Hall and
It's leaders co persccute the foreign born
citizen in the Catholic name.
continuing, Father Ducey declares that
ne Is surprised that Archbishop Corrigan
should be ''pained" at a course which has
merited the recognition of the most dis
tinguished citizens of tho United States
There is nothing in my course, now that
the elections are over as you say, ;" he con-
tinues, that calls for yindication of the
sanctity of tho priesthood by you, SO far as
my conduct is concerned. certainly have,
by my own course, up to the day of cleo
tlon, exerted every power to have honor
reflected on the priesthood. do not know
In what way have exposed myself to re-
ceive 'canonical admoniticn,' and cannot
see why should be commanded to alb
stain In future from going to the sessions
OF the Lexow committee without permits
sion In writing from your excellency.
Il have given my word that would at
tend the sessions of this committee to its
close, when not prevented by my duties.
know full well that l, in no way, trans
cend my rights Ms priest by my interest
In the Lexow committees Investigation,
and the best people of our city think and
say that most certainly am doing good
work as citizen by exertlng every power
to help the Lexow committee to give us
good government, and to safeguard public
as well as private morality"