The herald., 1896-10-05
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
To Be Provided With a New
Rector
BISHOP KEANE WlTHDRAWS
10 Response to the Suggestion OF the
Pope
An Appeal to Friends Of the Univer-
sity-The Bishop Will Come to the
Coast for Rest
Associated Press specia, Wire

Associated Press specia, Wire
WASHINGTON, Oct. 4.-Bishop
Keane, rector of the Catholic Univer-
sity Of America, makes the following
statement concerning his withdrawal
from the head Of that institution:
"Since my withdrawal from the rec
torship of the Catholic University OF
America will probably be regarded by
considerable portion of the American
public as a matter of some interest to
them and since unauthorized state
ments are apt to be misleading, deem
it my duty to state briefly and clearly
the facts of the case.
ION September 28th received through
his eminence, Cardinal Gibbons, let
ter from our holy father, Leo Kill,
of which the following is translation:
To Our Venerable Brother, John Joseph
Keane Bishop of Ajasso:
Venerable Brother, health and apos-
tolic benediction-It is customary that
those 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 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 intelligence, it has
seemed best that the above mentioned
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 hon
orable position. In order. however, that
in your resigning this Office due regard
may be paid to it's person and dignity,
we have determined to- elevate you to
the rank of archbishop. Being solicit
Gus for your future welfare, we leave
it to your own free choice either to re-
main in your own country, or, If you
prefer 1t, to come to Rome. If you
choose the former, we will destine for
you some archepiscopal 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 consulters of the congrega-
ton of studies and congregation of the
could do much in the interests of re-
ligion in the United States. In this lat
ter ease we would also assign you
suitable revenue for your honorable
maintenance.
Confidently trusting, venerable
brother, that you will accept this, our
administrative act, with hearty good
will, we most lovingly bestow upon you
the apostolic benediction Of our pater-
nal affection.
Given at Rome, at st. Peters. this
fifteenth day of September, 1896 A. D.,
nineteenth year Of our pontifcate.
LEO XIII, Pope.
'"The next day I mailed to the holy
father a reply, Of which the following
Is a translation:
The Catholic University of America,
Washington, Sept 20, 1896.
Most Holy Father-His eminence,
Cardinal Gibbons. yesterday handed
me the letter in which your holiness
has made known to me that my admin
istration of this university now comes
to an end and that another rector is to
be appointed.
Without a moments hesitation, I ac-
cept the will of your holiness in the
matter as manifestation of the prov
idence Of God and from this instant 1
resign into the hands of his eminence,
the chancellor, the office of rector, with
all rights thereto attaching. Thanking
your holiness for the freedom of choice
granted me- I choose to remain in my
own country and, moreover, without
any official position whatsoever.
Your Holiness most humble son in
Christ.
(Signed.) JOHN J. KEANE,
Bishop Ajasso.
Supplementing the letters, Bishop
Keane says: II welcome my release
from the Office of rector of the univer-
sity with profound gratitude, both to
divine providence and to the pope.
While I always regarded its duties as
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. 1 was too
loyal soldier to ask to be relieved
from my post, no matter what its diff
culties, 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 power, + was fully
ready to welcome what has been done.
/ shall now enjoy some months of
greatly 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 uni
verslty. He believes in rotation in Of
flee, as all sensible men must. He
knows the evils of allowing any official
and especially the hend of a university.
to fossilize at his post and in this all
must acknowledge his wisdom. His en-
lightened prudence and that of the
trustees who have to present the NOM
nations will be sure to select a rector
in every way fitted to guide the work
to fuller and fuller success. From the
peaceful retirement which / trust
have somewhat earned, / shall watch
it's progress with unabated interest. And
1 appeal to all whom my efforts in be-
half of the university have ever reached
to redouble their interest, their zeal.
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