The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1896-10-08
BISHOP KEANE SPEAKS
EXPLAINS HIS REQUESTED RES
IGNATION.
Have n New Rector-Present
Incumbent VIII Rest.

Washington, Oct. 4.-Blshop Keane, rec
tor of the Catholic university of America,
makes the following statement concern
ing his withdrawal from the head of that
institution:
Since my withdrawal from the rector
ship of the Catholic university of Amer
lea will probably be regarded by a con-
siderable portion of the American public |
as a matter of some interest to them,
and since authorized statements are al
present misleading. l deem it my duty to
state clearly the facts of the case. On |
September 2S 1 received through his en- |
inence. Cardinal Gibbons. letter from
our holy father. Leo XIII, of which the |
following is a translation:
ITO Our Honorable Brother John Jo-
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
versiues should not hold the office in
perpetuity. This custom has grown up
| through wise reasons and the Roman
| pontiffs have ever been careful that 1t
| should be adhered to. Since, therefore,
venerable brother, you have now presid-
| ed several years over the university al
| Washington. in the first establishment
and subsequent development of which you
| have shown laudable zeal and diligence,
1t has seemed best that the above-men-
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.
In order, however that in your resiS-
nauon or this office due regard may ne
mad to your person and dignity, we nave
determined to elevate you 10 the rank
Of archbishop. Being solicitous for your
future welfare, we leave to your own Tree
| choice. either to remain in your own
country. or. II you prefer 1t, to come to
Rome. II you choose tho former. we
will destne 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 n rev.
enue for your household maintenance.
Confidently trusting, venerable broth
er that you will accept this. our admin
lstrative 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
18th day of September 1896, in the 10Th
year of our pontificate.
LEO XIII. Pope.
1.-THE next day I mailed to the holy
father reply, Of which the following is
a translation:
Washington, Sept. Is, 1S96.--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
versty now comes to an end and that
another rector is to be appointed. With
out moments hesitation. / accept the
e matter as a manifestation of the will OF
God. and place in the hand of his emf
nence, the chancellor. the rectors rights
thereto attaching Thanking your holi
| ness for the freedom of choice granted
me. l choose to remain in my own coun
try. and moreover without any onicia
position Whatsoever. Your holiness
most humble son in Christ,
JOHN j. KEANE.
Bishop of Ajasso.
Supplementing the letters, Bishol
Keane says: Il welcome my releas
from the office of rector of the unlversit.
10 with profound gratitude both to divin
Providence and to the pope have re
n earded its duties as a labor of love
Ii They have grown beyond my strengt
and abilities. and the deliverance fror
the burden Is a response to many pray
ers. I was too true a soldier to ask {
be removed from my post, no matte
- ,ts .7,e,o,,Itias hut feelinp NV mir
I wears of strain and solicitu6e in the wor
nrair on6 ne,,,e movers 7 was full