Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-02
STORY OF THE CONTROVERSY.

The troubles In the diocese OF Lincoln be-
gan soon after the conservation of Bishop
BonaCum In November, 1887. The laws re-
quire that when new see is created the
coEsulters of the diocese shall submit the
names of three candidates for bishop. and
these rames must be forwarded 10 Rome
with the names selected by the bishops of
the province. However, the bishops ignored
the priests i'm the selection of a bishop for
Lincoln, and RiShop Bonacum assumed
charge of diocese. many of whose priests
were disposed to regard his appointment as
void He found Father Kennedy. the pastor
In charge of the cathedral and to him made
known his plans for the erection OF a more
imposing editicc. Father Kennedy enQeaN-
ored to dissuade him from thls underts.SSdln6G, ~ 6,
telling him there was sun q DEBT or $sOUO'
hanging over the parish, and that the Cath
oIcs of the diocese were poor and, while
a new cathedral. The Nshop disresarded
this advice and called meeting, of the par
Ish to consider the project. Many came,
some possibly out of curiosity to see the
new bishop, and among them was Patrick
edct from Rope. forbiddiEg the collection
of Land League dues at the church doors In
Ireland. The Lincoln branch met to censure
Rome for this. and Bishop Bonacum sent
Father Dunphy to the meeting to disperse
II. for Father Kennedy had fallen into dis
favor and was eventually removed to small
country mission. The meeting refused to
aspgrsS and Pass[d o sS215ons SeT 9GS9Fias Tsas
from Rome but not their politics, John
Fitzgerald of Lincoln; the wealthy president
subscription TO the cathedral fund ana so did
Patrick Egan, who had subscribed TO con
coal his poverty. Bishop Bonacum entered
suits against them on the subscriptions and
pursued Egan after President Harrison had
appointed him ameaSsa Tor 10 Chli' ,,.,
pension OF Father Walsh, pastor of the
cathedral. John Sheedy was assassinated in
at the coroner's inquest cast suspicion on
Mrs Sheedy, who was arrested for com
charges against him. alleging among other
things that he had uttered scandal about
trf bishop AiGr VIsbmE Ff ] T'h on5 h5
bearing Mrs. Sheedy repeat her charges,
Bishop Bonacum suspended Father Walsh,
who appealed 10 Mgr, Saiolli, and was given
n canonical trial at ST. Louis. This Nas the
first proceeding before the apostolic delegate
to compel the opening of the canoniCal
courts in America, but it was soon to be
followed by others
FATHER CoRBETTs CASE.
In September 1891 Father Curbett of Pal
myra, was brought before the, diocesan
court to answer charges brought by Bishop
Bonacum. The, court consisted of fye
Tecumseh. presided Corbett was not in
favor with the priests, but evidence in sup,
hey ttfey W We're rat dismissed. bishop BonacHm Was was
furious, and appealed, hut on appeal the
lower court was S s9stainGd I, S, ThG battle be
est, the bishop seeking to drive those Who
had opposed him out OF the diocese, In
February, 1899, charges against Bishop Bon
acum. signed by fifteen priests, We're filed
with Mgr. sqtolli at Wellington, These
Quently reduced to fifteen, were supple.
mcnted with ll5 specifications. A copy OF
the charges was forwarded by Mgr Satolli
showed an altered copy TO some Of the
priests and induced them 10 make ailidRvits
that they had never signed II, Bishop
Bonacum then entered general denial at
Washington, ana added that the charges
were unknown I'm this diocese" The fol-
lowing June Mgr, Sdtolii visited Omaha In
response to the demands OF the priests.
hearlnE was had for three days at the resi-
dence of Bishop Scannell Evidence In sup
port of the charges WAS submitted, but the
delegate thought the ease should take tho
usual course through the metropolitan Of
the province, the late Archbishop Kcnrick of
St Louis. The priests urged hiG cnfecbod
condition, and were assured the province
would soon be divided aud "A new archbishop
appointed who would give speedy trial
Pending further proceedings II IL ALLEGED.
the delegate at the request OF the priests,
bound the bishop to keep the peace, II Is
e claimed the bishop signed an agreement 10
"forFct and forgive but In n letter pub
llshel In tho "Amrrlkt" ST. Louis, he de-
MED lac had signed H. ana he proceeded to
violate the alleged truce" hy dismssing
Father Ioughrln from the pro-CathCdrll AT
Lincoln, by dlsnisslng Father quinn and by
subsequently sued m for libel The priests
sustained on appeal To- Satoli Father
Phelun, by espouslng their cause IN the
Western Waterman, offended the Coudiutor
bishop OF st. Louis. and public condemnation