The evening times., 1895-11-13

The case Of Bishop Bouacum, of Lincoln.
Neb., is attracting the attention of the
entire Catholic church i'll the United States.
The affairs of the church have been in u
particularly prosperous and harmonious con-
dition of late, and the trouble is. deeply
deplored by all Catholics, throughout the
country.
TIE sc,:ciary If the pspal delegation,
DIR. Rocker, wEo has been brought into snch
uusought noioriety by the affair, said this
morning that tue troubles Of the bishop OF
Lincoln and his priests are quite n long
standing, grievance.
"They began at least two years ago.
said DR.. Rocker, .'and were in full progr gress
some months before my appointment to
this office. Consequently l know abso-
lutcly nothing uf the beginning OF the
difficulties or the ethical merits of either
bishop or priest.
DIR. ROCKERS STATEMENT.
my connection with the affair is simply
this: Some days ago correspondent OF
the Omaha Bee called to see me, and after
stating at some length the case of Bishop
Bonacutn and the opposing element OF his
priesthood, said that it was currently re-
ported in Lincoln that the bishop was Il bout
TO resort to the civil courts in order TO eject
Fathers Fitzgerald and Murphy from the
church property. The correspondent also
added that Bishop; Bunacuu had said that
In taking this step he had the support and
approval of the apostolic delegate, and
he then asked the direct question whether
this statement was true or false.
Il replied" continued DR.. Rocker. that
It was neither true nor false, for the very
hat sbnn RItIf1cuTp
consulted Mgr. SatDln on this matter, and
therefore if he took IL into the civil courts
he did 1t on his own responsibility, without
either the sanction or the disapproval of
the apostolic delegate.
1.-The correspondent then wished to know
If such course could he authoritativeiy aken
by a bishop, and replied it could and had
been pursued when priests were unruly and
insubordinate. This was all l said, and
is the cause of the many alta cks and unjust
statements that have tely appeared in the
press concerning my utterances.
about the late publications in which
Fathers Fitzgerald and Murphy accuse me
of having forged the letters that came FROM
the delegation have nutiing whatever to
say. The conditions surrounding the deie-
CATION are well known and open tn insptc-
ton, and my character has not suffered
from these attacks, Everything must be
conducted on business.like diplomatic prin-
ciples. These troubles have mot been CON-
Quoted on this plan: therefore they cannot
be settiedor even discussed until they come
to us in proper shape"
Or. Rocker said pleasantly that he scarce
ly thought this matter would interest the
Washington public, and that more had been
said on the subject than the occasion war
ranted.
"One thing recently appeared in CHI
cago paper that amused me immensely"
said DR.. Rocker. laughing heartily.
SAVED BY HIS SECRETARY.
"This article described the difficulties
of Mgr. Satolli's position; how he was be-
sie3,ed by sightseers and a curious public
in general, particularly newspaper report
ers, aud 1t stated that he was saved much
annoyance by his secretary, who is a big.
brusquei American Of the. Yankee type,
who abiIoys newspapers and everything
connected with tliein, and heusuaIly treats
the visitors SO perefnpturiiy that they did
not pay second visit"
This is rather an unjust criticism.
DR.. Rocker, as all washington knows, is a
particularly polished, genial gentleman.
q scholar and church diplomat. He has
been newspaper man himself, and still
writes for many popular sheets, and his
courtesy to the members OF the press is
proyerhial.
Speaking of Mgr. SatudIl.s successor,
lie said that almost daily contradictory
reports reached the legation, but nothing
was yet known officially.
Attention being called to the Roman dis
patch which Appeared in last evenings,
Times. and states that Mgr. Satolli will
stay here until the. next consistory, prob
ably to be held year and half this
Dresrnt one, DR.. Rocker said that IL. this
proved true. Mgr. Satoli would certainly
be very much grieved. He is delighted
with America, but like the true child of
sunny Italy, his heart yearns for his native
land. and he is looking forward to his de-
partnre with almost boyisb eagerness.
Mgr Satolli's winter trips included a VISIT.
to New Orleans to attend the Mardi Gras
festivities, and to preside at the winter ses-'
sIons of the Catholic schools. He will Ger
tainly keep this appointment if he remains
in this, country until February.
LAST WEEKS RECORD.
TlmeS-24&.AO4-