The Meeker herald., 1896-02-22
PEACE MAY REIGN.
ATTITUDE OF DENVER CATH
OLlCS.
Exported that the Hard Feeling Between
Bishop MATS and His Opponents Nay
Give Way to Harmony.

Denver, Feb 15.-The expected vlelt
of Cardinal Satolli to Denver has
caused a good deal Of excitement and
speculation in Catholic circles in this
city. 1t Is generally understood that
his eminence may inquire into the
causes of the unsatisfactory condition
Of ecclesiastical Affairs in Denver and
that his report to Rome might result
in the acceptance Of Bishop Matz's re-
signation or some other action that
would settle the tangle at present ex-
isting.
The Times this afternoon, however,
states that the arrival In the city of
Father Mcguire of Chicago has an i'm
portant bearing on the situation. 1t
says:
The Catholic situation in Denver is
rapidly approaching a climax, and II
one can judge from the surface indi-
cations, Bishop Matz is to again as
sumo control of the Colorado diocese,
which will be reOrganiZed and f1nan-
cially rehabilitated. 1t Is not improb-
able-indeed 1t is highly probable-that
Father Malone will be an important
factor In accomplishing this end.
For several years Father Malone has
not been in sympathy with the bishop,
and this condition of affairs was the
cause Of more or less friction, which
was detrimental to the church in the
West. Each had strong following,
and the two factions waged such bit
ter war on each other that the bishop
finally felt constrained to hand in his
resignation to Rome. This resignation,
which some have intimated was not
without strings, has never been accept
ed, and within the week the announce
ment has been officially made that 1t
never would be. The inference drawn
is that 1t has been recalled
Father Robinson, who is vicar gen
eral Of the diocese, is at the head Of a
faction Of the bishops old friends. He,
with others. failed to read Alright the
handwriting on the wall and became
one Of the signers to a petition for
warded to Rome some months ago,
praying for the acceptance Of the bish-
ops resignation on the ground that
the good of the church in the West
demanded it. This resignation was
apparently without effect and the sign
ers now find themselves "pocketed"
and designations from them are In or
der.
The first to be sent in Is that of Faith
er Robinson, who has forwarded the
same to Father Phillips. who is In
charge of the diocese In the absence of
49, -Aiaiop. This resignation was
fUa hSvristne, s,S,ss>.-,s- VI Itss-
alleged slight bestowed on Father
Robinson by the appointing Of Father
Bender OF Colorado Springs to the
craftsmanship of the Satolli reception
committee.
On top of this seeming complication
there comes to Colorado one OF the
many Catholic priests who have an
ambition to succeed Bishop Matt.
Father Mcguire of Chicago has had an
eye on Colorado ever since the bishop
sent in his resignation. He has never
been seriously considered us in the
race-if race there should be for this
coveted honor. Ostenslbly the visit to
Colorado is one of pleasure, but the
wise ones say that the political phrase
of fixing fences" Is more applicable.
That Bishop Mntz is to reign over
Colorado Catholics in the future Is al
most assured. He has been absent for
six months, and while East has, 1t is
said, 80 financiered the diocese us to
place 1t on sound and permanent
basis. The debt of the church has
been a drag on its usefulness and a
source of worry and annoyance to
priests and laymen.
The funding of the debt of the dio-
cese was primarily the object Of the
bishops visit to the East. In this be
has succeeded beyond his fondest ex.
pectations. A proposition has been
submitted to the bishop, the accept
ance Of which seems to have been
looked on favorably by the recent se.
lection of Father Bender to assume
charge of the Satolli reception. This
proposition, 1t is said. provided for the
reorganization of the old Catholic
Loan and Trust association and fol-
Father Bender's appointment to q
clerkship in the company. This would
indicate that Father Bender would be
come financier Of the diocese.
In this connection Father Malone's
name is mentioned. Although he has
been consistent in his opposition to the
bishop, he has always maintained thai
the power of the bishop was supreme
When certain priests showed dispo
sition to rebel over the appointment OF
Father Bender, Father Malone In an
editorial in the Colorado Catholic coun
selled them to obey their superior
This advice was good and was accept
ed a. far as outward appearances 20
Father Malone, the personal friend OF
Father Bender thus becomes "nearei
and dearer" to the bishop. Indeed, II
vynuld nOf he sr1rDrfsinp II the TeutOn