Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1896-10-10
BISHOP KEANE SPEAKS
EXPLAINS HIS REQUESTED RES
IGNATION.
c,tboltc UniVeraity of America TO
Have New Rccf0r-Fre@eht
Incumbent VIII Rest.

WASHINGTON, oct. 4.-Bishop keane, rec
ron. or the Catholic university Of America,
makes The following statement concern
ng his withdrawal from the head Of that
institution:
since my withdrawal from the rector
ship OF the Jatnouc university OF Amer
ica viii probably be regarded by Il con-
siderable portion OF the American public
as u matter Of some interest TO them'
and since authorized statements are al
present misleading. / deem it my duty to
state clearly the facts of the case. On
ee3tamber IS [ received through his en-
meace. Cardinal Gibbons, letter from
cur holy father, Leo XII, of which the
following is a translation:
TO our Honorable Brother. John Jo-
seph Keane, Bishop Of Ajasso.-Venerable
Brother: Health and apostolic benedic-
ten. Ii is customary that they VINO are
APPOINTED 10 preside over Catholic uni
yorsitias should not ho!a the office II
pgrpetuity. This custom mas grown M
through wise reasons, and the Roman
pOntiffs have ever been careful that II
should be adhered to. Since, therefore,
venerable brother you have now preslo-
ed several years over the university al
Washington, in the first establishment
and subsequent development of which you
have shown laudable zeal and diligence
It 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.
j." In order, however, that in your Tosig-
nation of this office due regard may be
| had 10 your person and dignity, we have
! determined 10 elevate you 10 the rank
Of archbishop. Being eoliCitous 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 &c
Rome, II you choose the former, we
viii destine you for some archiepiscopa
see by vote of the bishops of the United
States II you prefer the latter, we shall
welcome you most lovingly, and vii
! 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
er, that you Will accept this, our admin
/ istratiye act, with hearty good will, wt
/ 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 pontincate.
LEO XIII, Pope
! The next day l mailed to the holy
! father a reply, OF which the following is
| a translation:
| Washington, Sept. Is. 1896 Most Holy
! Father: His eminence, Cardinal Glib
! hons, yesterday handed me the letter in
! which your holiness has made known tC
me that my administration of this uni
Versity now comes to an end and that
! another rector is to be appointed. With
out a moments hesitation, l accept the
! matter as a manifestation Of The will OF
/ God. and place In the hand Of his emf
/ hence, the chancellor the rectors rights
/ thereto attaching. Thanking your holi-
/ Eess for the freedom OF choice granted
/ me, l 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.
experimenting 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. l have re-
Earded its duties as labor OF love
| They have grown beyond my strength
and abilities and the deliverance from
the burden IS a response to many pray
ers. | was too true a soldier to ask 10
! be removed from my post no matter
] what its difficulties hut feeling my nin1