The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-05

ION Sept. 2s received through his
eminence. Cardinal Gibbons. letter
from our holy father, Leo XIII. of which
the following is a translation:
To our Venerable Brother. John Joseph
Keane, Bishop of Ajasso:
Venerable Brother: Health and apos-
tolic> benediction--It Is customary that
they who are appointed TO preside over
Catholic universities should not hold the
office in perpetuity. This custom has
grown up through wise reasons, and the
Roman pontiffs have ever been careful
that IL 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 develop
ment Of which you have shown laudable
zeal and diligence il has seemed best
that the aforementioned custom should
rot be departed from. and that mother.
whose name lis to be proposed TO us by
the bishops. should be appointed to sue
ceed you In this honorable position. In
order, however, that in your resigning
this office, due regard may be had TO
your person and your dignity. we have
determined TO elevate you to the rank
Of archbishop.
Being solicitious for your future well
fare, we leave IL to your own free choice
either to remain in your own country, or
choose the former, we will destine for
you some archepiscopal see by vote of
the bishops Of the United States II you
prefer the latter, we shall welcome you
most lovingly, and will place you among
the consulters of the congregation OF
studies and the congregation OF the prop
aganda, In both of which you could do
much for the interests OF religion in the
United States. In this latter case we
would also assign you a suitable revenue
for your honorable maintenance.
Confidently trusting, venerable brother,
that you will accept this, our administra-
tive act with hearty good will we most
lovingly bestow upon you the apostolic
benediction, as a pledge of your paternaI
affection.
Given at Rome, from st. Peters, this
18th day of September, 1896, in the 10Th
year Of our pontificate.
Leo XIII. pope.
"The next day / mailed to the holy
father a reply, Of which the following is
translation:
Most Holy Father-IIis eminence,
Cardinal Gibbons, yesterday. handed me
the letter i'm which your holiness mas
made known to me that my administra-
ton of this university now comes to an
end, that another rector is to be APP
pointed. Without a. moment OF hesita-
tion / accept the Will Of your holiness In
the matter as a manifestation of the
providence Of God, and from this instant
resign into the hands Of his eminence,
the chancellor, the office of rector. with
all rights hereto 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
guilty and peace. Your holiness most
humble son in Christ,
John j. Keane. Bishop Of Ajasso.
Supplementing the letters. Bishop
Keane says: II welcome my release
from the Office OF rector or the university
with profound gratitude, both TO divine
providence and the pope. While
always regarded its duties as a labor OF
love, they had grown 10 be far beyond
my strength and abilities. and the de-
liverance from the burden is a response
10 many prayers. / was too loyal a SOL
der 10 ask 20 be relieved from my post,
no matter what its difficulties; but, feel
Ing that my nine years OF strain and
solicitude in the work had brought ms
close to the end Of my brain and nerve
powers, i was fully ready TO welcome
what has been done.
"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
solicitude for the best interests of the
university. lie believes in rotation I'm
office as all sensible Incn must He
knows the evils OF allowing any official.
and especially the head OF university.
10 fossllze at his post. and i'm this all
must acknowledge his wisdom. His en-
lghtened prudence, and that OF the
trustees, who have TO present the nomi-
nations, will be sure 10 select "A rector I'm
every way fitted TO guide the good work
TO fuller and fuller success. From the
peaceful retirement which trust have
somewhat earned, / shall ever watch
its progress with undated interest
And l appeal 10 all whom my efforts, In
behalf Of the university, have ever
reached. 20 redouble their interest. their
zeal. their generosity In this new chapter
of the universlty's existence. and 20
make II what IL by right must be. the
orowning glory Of Christian education
l..