Evening star., 1896-10-05
Bishop Keane's Withdrawal From the
Catholic University.
OBEDIENCE FC An ANCIENT RULE
Offer of High Honors at Rome and
an Archbishopric.
TION IN OFF G z

participstfon In the affairs Of the institu-
ton. This action on his part was taken
il response to a letter from the pope,
which was received by Cardinal Gibbons
early last week and at once forwarded to
Bishop Keane.
The news of Bishop Keane's resignation
has been received with surprise and many
expressions of genuine regret on the part
of the Catholics of this city. Not only
with them. but with people of all denomi-
rations in this city. Bishop Keane Is ex-
tremely popular, and as the rector OF the
Catholic University he has shown himself
to be a man of the greatest executive abilf-
ty. He has always been known as man CT
culture. kindly of spirit. affable and cour-
teous to all classes
The exact reason of the change is not
an easy one to find. In his letter the pope
II axes the clear and definite statement
that the methods of the church are op-
posed to an indefinite tenure Of office in
the case of heads of educational institu-
tions, and that Bishop Keane has already
served more than the desired term The
promise Is made that Bishop keane shall
be raised to the rank Of an archbishop,
with the choice as to whether he should
serve in this country or In Rome. He has
elected to remain in this country and with
out any official position
Bishop keane's Statement.
There are those who believe that there is
more in the matter than appears on the
face of 1t. and that the liberal stand
which Bishop Keane has always taken to-
ward educational questions may rave had
something to do with bringing about the
request for his resignation.
Bishop Keane las made the following
statement:
Since my withdrawal from the rectorshfp
of the Catholic University Of America will
probably be regarded by a considerable por
tion Of the American public as a matter of
some interest to them, and since unauthor-
ized statements are apt to be misleading, /
deem it my duty to state briefly and clearly
the facts of the case
"On September % 1 received, through his
eminence. Cardinal Gibbons. a letter from
our holy father. Leo XIII, of which the fol-
lowing is translation:
To Our Venerable Brother, John Joseph
Keare. Bishop of Ajasso.'
Venerable brother, health and apostolic
benediction. 1t is customary that they who
are appointed to preside over Catholic uni
versities should not hold the office In perpe-
tuity. This custom has grown up through
wise reasons, and the Roman pontiffs have
ever been careful that it should be ad-
hered to. Since therefore, venerable broth
er you have now presided for several years
over the university at Washington. in the
first establishment and subsequent develop
ment of which you have shown laudable
zeal and diligence, it has seemed best that
the above mentioned custom should not be
departed from. and that another, whose
should be appointed to succeed you in this
honorable position. In order, however. tha t
in your resigning this office. due regard
may be had to your person and YOUR dig
nifty. We have determined to elevate you to
the rank of archbishop.
Being solicitous for your future vel
fare, We leave ii to your own free choice.
either to remain in your own country, or. II
you prefer it, to come to Rome If you
choose the former, We will destine for you
some archiepiscopal see, by vote OF the
bishops of the United States. If you prefer
the latter, we shall welcome you most low
ingly, and will place you among the con-
sultors of the congregation of studies and
the congregation of the propaganda. in both
of which you could do much for the inter-
ests of religion IN the United States. In
ills latter case would also assign you a
suitable revenue for your honorable main
tenaEGe.'
that you will accept this our administrative
act with hearty good WILL we most lovingly
beStow upon you the apostolic benediction,
pledge of our paternal affection.
:" Given at Rome. from st. Peters, this
18th day of September. 1885, in the nine
teenth year of our pontifcate.
LEO XIII, Pope
Honors Declined.
"The next day I mailed the holy father
q reply, of which the following is a trans
lation:
The Catholic University of America.
w SASf1lNGION, september -, 1876.
Most Holy Father:
90 His eminence Cardinal Gibbons yester-
day handed me the letter in which your
holiness has made known to me that my
administration CT this university now
Genes to an end ard that another rector is
to be appointed.
without a moment of hesitation / ac-
cept the will of your holiness In the mat
ter as the manifestation of the providence
of God, and from this instant 1 resign into
nj ha han
the office of rector, with all rights thereto
attaching.
Thanking your holiness for the freedom
of choice granted me, / choose to remain in
my own country, and. moreover, without
any official position whatsoever, in tran
Guillity and peace.
Your holiness most humble son In
Christ, JOHN ]. KEANE.
Bishop of Ajasso.'" "
experimenting the letter, Bishop Keane
says:
of rector of the university with profound
gratitude both to Divine Providence and
to the pope While 1 always regarded its
duties as a labor of love. they had grown
to be far beyond my strength and abilities
and the deliverance from the burden is a
response to many prayers | was too loyal
soldier to ask to be relieved from my
post. no matter what its difficulties but feel
Ing that my nine years of strain and solci
tude in the work had brought me close tc
the end of my brain and nerve powers.
was fully ready to welcome what has beer
done. 1 shall now enjoy some months oi
greatly needed rest on the Pacific coast
leaving all plans for the future to a later
date.
Desire for Rest.
'Of course no one needs to be assured
that the action of the holy father i.
prompted not only by personal kindness to
ward myself. but also by earnest solicitud,
for the best interests of the university HI
believes in rotation in office as all sensi
BILE men must. He knows the evils of al
lowing any official and especially the hea.
of a university, to fossilize at his post an,
in this all must acknowledge his wisdom
His enlightened prudence and that of tn
trustees, who have to present the nomina
tions, will be sure to select rector Il
every way fitted to guide the work t.
fuller and fuller success. From the peace
full retirement which / trust / have some
what earned, / shall ever watch its pro
gress with unabated interest. And I appea
to all whom my efforts in behalf of tn
university have ever reached to redoubl
their interest. their ZEAL their generosity, Il
this new chapter of the university's ex
istence. and to make 1t what 1t by righ
must be. the crowning glory of Christia.
eI,,1o in, loo