The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-10-10
EXPLAINS HIS REQUESTED RES
IGNATION.
Catholic University of America to
Have New RcctOr-Prcsent
Incumbent Will Rest.

institution:
Since my withdrawal from the rector
ship Of the Catnonc university of Amer
lea will probably be regarded by a con-
siderable portion OF rne American public |
as matter of some Interest to them.
and since authorized statements are at
present misleading. deem it my duty to |
state clearly the facts OF the case. On
September rs 1 received through his en-
inence, Cardinal Gibbons, letter from
our holy father Leo Kill Of which the
following is a translation:
ITO Our Honorable Brother. John 10
seph Keane Bishop of Ajasso.-Venerable |
Brother: Health and apostolic benedic- |
ticn. 1t is customary that they who are
appointed to preside over Catholic uni |
versties should not holo the office in
perpetuity. This custom has grown up
through wise reasons. and the Roman
pontiffs have ever been careful that it
should be adhered to. Since. therefore,
venerable brother, you have now presid-
ed several years over the university At
Washington, in the first establishment
and subsequent development of which you
have shown laudabe zeal and diligence,
it has seemed best that the abovemen-
toned custom should not be departed
from, and that another whose name is
to be proposed to us by the bishops
should be appointed to succeed you in this
honorable position
d" In order, however, that in your resig
nation of this Office due regard may be
had to your person and dignity, we have
| determined to elevate you to the rank
of archbishop. Being solictous for your
future welfare, we leave to your own free
choice, either to remain in your own
country. or, If you prefer it. to come to
Rome. If you choose the former, we
viii destine you for some archiepiscopal
see by vote of the bishops of the United
States If you prefer the latter, we shall
welcome you most lovingly, and will
! place you among the consultors of the
! congregation of studies and congregation
| of the propaganda; in behalf of which
you could do much for the interest of
religion in the United States. In this
latter case we would assign you a rev
enue for your household maintenance.
Confidently trusting, venerable broth
err that you will accept this. our admin
istrative act, with hearty good WILL we
most lovingly bestow upon you the apos-
tolic benediction as a pledge of our pa
ternal affection.
Given at Rome, at st. Peters. this
year of our pontifcate.
LEO XIII, Pope
Tho next day l mailed to the holy
father reply, of which the following is
a translation:
Washington. Sept. Is. 1885, Most Holy
Father; His eminence, Cardinal Glib
hons, yesterday handed me the letter in
which your holiness has made known to
me that my administration Of this uni
versity now comes to an end and that
another rector Is to be appointed. With
! out moments hesitation, 1 accept the
matter as a manifestation of the will of
God. and place in the hand of his emf
nence the chancellor, the rector's rights
thereto attaching. Thanking vour holi-
ness for the freedom OF choice granted
me, choose to remain in my own coun-
try. and moreover without any official
position whatsoever Your holiness
most humble son in Christ,
JOHN J. KEANE,
Bishop of Ajasso.
supplementing the letters, Bishop
Keane says: Il welcome my release
from the Office of rector of the university
with profound gratitude both to divine
Providence and to the pope. / have re-
garded its duties as a labor of love-
They have grown beyond my strength
and abilities, and the deliverance from
the burden is a response to many pray
ers. l was too true Il soldier to ask 10
be removed from my post. no matter
what it's difficulties, but feeling my nine
years of strain and solicitu6e in the work
had brought me close to the end of my
brain and nerve powers. 1 was fully
ready to welcome what has been done
shall now enjoy some months Of great
ly needed rest on the Pacific coast.
"Of course no one needs to be assured
that the action of the holy father is
prompted not only by personal kindness
toward myself. but also by earnest So
licitude for the best interests Of the
university. He believes in rotation in
office, as all sensible men must. He
knows the evils of allowing any official,
and especially the head Of a university,
to fossilize at his post, and in this all
must acknowledge his wisdom. His en-
lightened prudence and that of the trus-
tees who have to present the nomina-
tions. will be sure to select a rector in
every way fitted to guide the work to
full success. From the peaceful retire
ment which I trust l have somewhat
earned. I shall watch its progress with
undated interest, and 1 appeal to all
whom my efforts in behalf of the univer-
sity have ever reached, to redouble their
interest. their zeal, their generosity. in
this new chapter of the university's ex-
istence and to make it. what it by right
must be. the browning glory of Christian
education in America"
Gone to Cleveland.
/ Baltimore, Oct. 6.-The champions and