The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-05
DAILY, SO A YEAR.
I CENTS A COPY.
I WEEKLY 2-TIMES-A-WEEK 81 A YBAF
REST0R KEANE HAS RESIGNED.
THE ACTION FOLLOWS A REQUEST
FROM THE POPE.

The Customs of the Church Pre-
scribe That Presidents of CnthO-
lie UniversIties should Not Hold
Their Positions in Perpetuity.
The Pope Expresses the Highest
Esteem for the Bishop, Promotes
Him to Archbishop and Gives
Him the Choice OF Two FIattering
Offers.
Washington, Oct 4.-Bishop John ].
Keane rec.or of the Catholic University
of America, located here has resigned at
the request of Pope Leo XIII. Bishop
Keane this afternoon. made public the
official correspondence so that the facts
should be properly understood. He ac-
companied it by the following statement:
"Since my withdrawal from the rector
ship Of the Catholic University of Amer
lea will probably be regarded by con-
siderable portion Of the American public
as a matter of some interest to them, an
since unauthorized statements are apt to
be misleading, ! deem 1t my duty to state
briefly and clearly the facts of the case.
ION Sept 2s l received through his emf.
nence, Cardinal Gibbons, letter from
our holy father. Leo KILL of which the
following Is a translation: TO Our Ven-
erable Brother. John Joseph Keane, Bish-
op of Ajasso: Venerable Brother, Health
and Apostolic Benedictions: 1t is Gus
tomary that they who are appointed to
preside over Catholic universities should
not hold the Office in perpetuity. This
AZ ha
sons, and the Roman pontiffs have ever
been careful that it should be adhered
to. Since, therefore, Venerable Brother,
you have now presided for several years
over the university at Washington, in
the first establishment and subsequent
developments of which you have shown
laudable zeal and diligence. It has SEEM
ed best that the above mentioned GUS
tom should not be departed from, and
that another, whose name is to be pro-
posed to US by the bishops, should be
appointed to succeed you in this honora-
bic position. In order. however that in
your resigning this office, due regard may
be had to your person and dignity. we
have determined to elevate you to the
rank of archbishop.
being solicitous for your future welfare,
We leave ii to your own free choice either
to remain in your own country, or, II you
prefer 1t, to come TO Rome If you choose
the former, we viii destine for you some
archiepiscopal see by vote of the bishops
of the United States. II you prefer the
latter we shall welcome you most loving
ly, and will place you among the consult
ors 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
this latter case we would also assign you
suitable revenue for your honorable
maintenance.
Confidently trusting, venerable brother,
that you will accept this, our administra-
tive act with hearty good will, we must
lovingly bestow upon you the apostolic
benediction, as pledge of our paternal af-
fection.
Given at Rome. from st. Peters. this
18th day of September, 1896, in the nine
teenth year of our Pontihcate
Leo XIII, Pope"
On the following day Bishop Kane
mailed to his holiness his resignation,
electing to remain in his own country,
without any official position whatever,
in tranquility and peace"
Bishop Keane's statement continues: II
welcome my release from this office or
rector Of the university with profound
gratitude both to a Divine Providence and
to the pope While always regarded its
duties as a labor of love, they had grown
to be far beyond my strength and ablli-
ties, and the deliverance from the burden
is a response to many prayers. | was too
loyal a soldier to ask to be relieved from
my post, no matter what It's difficulties;
but, feeling that my nine years OF strain
and solicitude in the work had brought
me close to the end Of my brain and
nerve powers, l was fully ready to wei
come what has been done. l shall now
enjoy some months of greatly needed rest
on the Pacific coast, leaving all plans for
the future tc a later date.
"Of course, no one needs TO be assured
that the action of the holy father Is
prompted, not only by personal kindness
towards myself, but also by earnest So
| licitude for the best interests OF the uni
verslty. He believes in rotation in Of
flee az all sensible men must. He knows
| the evils o< allowing any official, and es-
pecially the head of a university to fos-
siize at his post. and In this all must ac-
knowledge his wisdom. His enlightened
prudence, and that of the trustees who
have to present the nominations, will be
sure TO select a. rector in every way Mt
ted TO guide the work to fuller and fuller
success From the peaceful retirement,
which / trust / have somewhat earned,
shall ever watch It's progress with unaba-
ted interest. And / appeal to all whom
my efforts in behalf Of the university have
ever reached, to redouble their interest,
their zeal, their generosity In this new
chapter Of the universftys existence, aad
to make IL what It by right must be- the
crownng glory Of Christian education in
America"
The university Is now in charge Of the
vice rector, the Rev. Father Gauigan,
who will direct its affairs until a rector
is selected The vice rector, speaking OF
Bishop Keane's retirement, said that the
faculty and all the students were very un-
willing to part with Bishop Keane, who
was beloved by all.
Tomorrow the fall course OF the uni
versity begins and the rector will then
formally announce his retirement
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