New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-02
CHARGES BY PARISHIONERS
A PRIEST ACCUSED OF TRANSFERRING
$4,000 OF PARISH PROPERTY TO
HIS HOUSEKEEPER.
TIM WOMA.
TIN WOMAN HAS BEEN REMOVED BY ORDER OF
THE BIsHoP-AN OLD TROUBLE BREAKS
OFT AFREsH IN ST. MARY's CHURCH
+ BAYONNE.

OF BAYONNE.
Concerning a renewal OF trouble between Father
Thomas NJ. Killeen, the venerable and we'll known
rector of ST. Marys Star OF the Sea Roman Cath
ole Church. at Bergen Point and the dissatisfied
element of his congregation. rumors have been rife
about Bayonne since he left town Monday TO go
into his annual retreat at Seton Hall College The
disgrunted parishioners are now formidable fac
tor IN parish affairs. they have been gathering
recruits since the unsuccessful warfare waged
against the pastor three years ago.
In addition to this trouble Father Killeen has not
been working in harmony for several months with
his curate. Father William j. Richmond son OF DR..
Richmond. prominent Newark physician Partly
because Of their enmity toward Father Kieen. and
partly because Father Richmond is a favorite with
almost every one in the parish, the disgruntel
Pensioners have sided with the curate in the
trouble between rector and curate Father Rich
rnond was ready to leave the parish several weeks
ago. but this crisis prevented by circumst
which may prove important in the renewed warfare.
Father Richmond is In charge OF the parish during
rather kileen's absence. which will end Friday
evening.
The new trouble between priest and Pensioners
las resulted in the presentation TO Bishop Wigger
OF petition for the removal OF Father Kieen from
the rectorate OF st. Mary's parish. This petition
bears the signatures OF about sixty parishioners
and cites ten charges against Father Killeen. II
was laid before Bishop wigger Thursday of last
week by committee At the time the
mittee handed Bishop Wigger a petition praying for
the retention of Father Richmond as curate and
signed by almost the entire parish.
The charges against Father Kileen We're formu-
lated after much consideration Searches OF pubic
records were made by lawyers. and witnesses We're
formally examined Chief Of the charges the ale
sa;ion that Father kieen has transferred by deed
I" Miss W!n.frei Ford, for many years his house.
keeper, 600 worth of realty which really belonged
TO s. Marys parish He "a also charged with
harsh and cruel treatment of curates with forcing
iDfr
keeper with tyrannica conduct toward Pensioners
anu with having outlived his usefulness in the
parish.
Father Richmond cour;eously declined TO talk
about the trouble In the parish yesterday. while
Father O Brien who was recently appointed assist
ant curate. excused himself from saying anything
about matters OF which he knows little. Father Kill
leen cannot be seen until he returns from his re-
treat. He will then. in all probability give his YER
of the trouble with his characteristic forgetfui
ness. Since Miss Ford. the housekeeper, was super
seeded al the rectory several weeks ago by orders or
Bishop Wigger. she has been living with the widow
OF Dr Frederick G. Payn. a local physician, who
OF Father K.lleen's most intimate friends.
Father kfleen is now sexagenaran. y long and
silky white beard, which he wears by special dis
pelsaton because OF a throat affction, adds his
venerable appearance. He has been in the priest
hood for than thirty-fve years and is stl
vigorous in intellect and active physically He mas
almost twenty years During the early years OF his
In the parish he made himself prominent by
the warfare he waged against the Hquor-dealers
Several years ago he battled strenuously against
Bishop had decided divide his parish against his
wishes Cardinal Satolli was inclined TO favor
Father Killeen. who, although victorious al nrst
finally defeated by his superior. Bayonne folks
leen IL he deems that the charges presented nave
sufficient strength TO warrant such action