The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-10-05
FACTS OF THE CASE
The Retiring Rector Of ths Catholic
University Of America Speaks.
BISHOP KEANE TO POPE LEO
. banking Ills Holiness for the
Freedom of Choice Granted
Him. ne Prefers to Remain
In His Adopted Country.

Washington, Oct. 4.-Bishop Keane.
rector OF the Catholic university of
America, makes the following state
ment 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 Ameri-
can public as a matter of some inter-
est to them, and since authorized
statements are apt to be misleading.
oeem II my duty to state briefly and
clearly the facts OF the case. on Sept.
rs l received. through his eminence.
Cardinal Gibbons. a letter from our
holy father. Leo Kill. Of which the
following is a translation
ITO our venerable brother, John
Joseph Keane, bishop OF Ajasso. ven-
cradle brother; health and apostolic
benediction: 1t 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 II should be adhered
to. Since. therefore, venerable broth
er. you have now presided for several
years over the university at Washing
ton. In the first establishment and
subsequent development OF which you
have shown laudable zeal and dill
gence. 1t has seemed best that the
above mentioned customs should not
be departed from or that another
whose name Is to be proposed to us
by the bishops should be appointed to
succeed you In this honorable posi-
ton. In order, however that In your
resigner Of this office due regard may
be had to your person and dignity,
we have determined to elevate you to
the rank Of archbishop. Being solicit
tous for your future welfare, we leave
II to your own free choice either to
remain In your own country or II you
prefer II to come to Rome. II you
choose the former we Will destine for
you some archepiscopal see by a vote
Of the bishops Of the United States. II
you prefer the latter we shall well
come you most lovingly and will place
you among the consulters OF the con-
gregation Of studies and congregation
OF the propaganda, In behalf OF which
you could do much for the interests
of religion In the United States. In
this latter case we would also assign
you 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 bene-
diction as a pledge Of our paternal af-
fection.
"'Given at Rome. at st. Peters, this
18th day of September 1896. In the
nineteenth year OF our pontifcate.
LEO Kill. Pope"
"The next day / mailed to the holy
father a reply. Of which the following
Is a translation:
"'The Catholic University of Ameri-
ca. Washington, Sept. Is, 1895. Most
holy father: His emlnence Cardinal
Gibbons yesterday handed me the let
ter In which your holiness has made
known to me that my administration
OF this university now comes to an
end, and that another rector Is to be
appointed. Without a moments hesi-
tation l accept the will Of your holi-
ness In the matter as a manifestation
| of the will Of God and place In the
hand OF his eminence. the chancellor,
| the rector Of all rights thereto attach
Ing. Thanking your holiness for the
| freedom Of choice granted me. / choose
| to remain In my own country, and
| moreover. without any official position
whatsoever. Your holiness most hum
| BILE son in Christ. John J. Keane, bish-
| op Of Ajasso.'
Supplementlng 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 / 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. I was
| too true a soldier to be asked to be
removed from my post. no matter
what its difficulties, but feeling my
| nine years OF strain and solicitude In
the work had brought me close to the
| end Of my brain and nerve powers. I
was fully ready to welcome what had
been done. | shall now enjoy some
months of greatly needed rest on the
| Pacific coast
| "Of course no one needs 20 be as
| sured that the action OF the holy
| father Is prompted not only by per-
4 sonal kindness toward myself but also
by earnest solicltude for the best in
terests OF the university. He believes
| in rotation in office as all sensible men
must. He knows the evils Of allowing
any official and especially the head OF
a university to fossilize at his post,
and In this all must acknowledge his
wisdom. His enlightened prudence,
and that OF the trustees who have TO
present the nominations. will be sure
to select a rector In every way fitted
TO guide the work to full success.
From the peaceful retirement which
trust have somewhat earned I shall
watch its progress with unabated in
terest. and | appeal TO all whom my
efforts in behalf Of the university have
ever reached to redouble their inter-
est, their zeal. their generosity in this
new chapter of the universlty's exist
ence and to make II what II by right
must be. the crownlng glory Of Christ
ian education In America"