Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-10-05

OF the Letter AOlA
Father ana Bishop Keane's Reply
He Declines an Archbishopric,
But viii Remain n America
washington. d. c.. Oc,ob=r 4.-Bish-
% Ke1ue. rector Of the Catholic Univer-
siy Of America. makes the following
statement concerning his Withdrawal!
from th= head Of tna- institution:
since my withdrawal from the rec
do-sh.p OF the Catholic University Of
America viii probably be regarded by a
considerable portion of the American
pubHc as a matter OF some interest TO
9em. and since unauthorized staten MS
are apt 70 be misleading. I deem it my
dutv TO- STATE briefly and clearly the facts
Of the case.
con September IS. I received through
His Eminence Cardinal Gibbons, a letter
from The Holy Father. Leo XIII, OF
which the following IS a translation:
THE PONTIFFS LETTER.
&" To Our venerable Brother, John JOS
eoh Keane. Bishop Of AjassO:
venerable Brother, Health and
Apostolic Banedicti0n-It is CUSTOMARY
tia. they who ere appointed 20 preside
Cv,- Catholic Triversi-ies should not
hold ths otHce iu psrpemity. This GUS
tom has grown no through wise reasons,
and Roman PoEths nave ever been care
ful thar ia should be adhered TO. Since,
III -5f0re. Venerable Brother, you have
now presided FOR several years over the
University at Washington, in the first
establishment and subsequent develop
men. of which you have Shown laudable
zeal and diligence. 10 has seemed best
chat the above mentioned custom should
no. De departed from, and that another,
whose name is 20 be proposed TO Us by
the Bishops. should be appointed to sue
coed YOU i'm This honorable position. In
order. however. that, in your resigning
this office. due regard may be had to
your person and Your dignity, we have
deteru med 20 elevate YOU 20
THE RANK OF ARCHBISHOP.
"'Being s0Iicitous for your future wei
fare. We leave il 20 your own free choice
either co remain il your own country
or, Il You prefer 1t, 20 come to Rome.
II you choose the former. We will desIne
for you some arch-episcopal see. by vote
OF the Bishops OF the United States. II
YOU prefer the latter. We shall welcome
you most lovingly. and Will place you
emong the consultors Of the cOngrega-
ton of studies and the congregation of
the propaganda, in both Of which you
could DO much for the interests Of rel!g-
ion In the United States. In this latter
case we would also assign you a suitable
revenue for your honorable mainten-
ence.
Confidently trusting, Venerable
Brother. that you viii accept this, our
admin s.rative act, with hearty good
win. we most lovingly bestcw upon you
tie apostolic benediction, as a pledge Of
our paternal affection.
Given at Rome. from St Peters,
this 18th day Of September, 1895 IN the
Nineteenth year Of our POntiflcate.
Signed LEO Kill, Pope
THE REPLY.
"The next day I mailed TO the Holy
Fa,he- a reply, Of which the following
is a translation;
lIbe Catholic University Of America,
Washington. september 20, 1895:
Mos. Holy Fathgr:-His Em!lence
Cardinal Gibbons yesterday handed me
Che Letter in which Your Holiness has
made known TO NE that my administra-
ton OF this University now comes 70 an
end and tha- another rector is to be ap-
pointed
Without a moment of hesitation,
accept the Will Of Your Holiness in the
matter as a manifestation o. the provi-
tence OF God. and from this instant I
resign into tae hand OF His Eminence,
The Chancellor the Office Of rector with
ali rights thereto attaching.
Thanking Your Holiness for the
freedom of choice granted me, choose
to remain In my own country, and more
over. without any official position what
SOever. in tranquility and peace.
Your Holiness most humble son in
Christ.
Signed JOHN J. KEANE,
90 Bishop Of Ajasso.'
Supplementng the letters. Bishop
ke3ne says:
Il welcome my release from the Office
O. rector Of the University
WITH PROFOUND GRATITUDE
both TO Divine Providence and TO the
Pope. While l always regarded its du-
ties as q labor of love, they had grown
70 be far beyond my strength and abili-
ties, and the deliyeCance from the bur
den is a response to many prayers. I
was too loyal q soldier 20 ask to be re-
lieYed from ny posi-, no matter what
its difficulties; but feeling that my nine
years Of strain and sOlicimde in the
work had brought me close TO the end
OF my brain and nerve powers, l was
July ready 90 welcome what has been
done. shall enjoy some months Of
greatly needed rest on the Pacific coast,
leaving all plans for the future to a
later date.
~ course. no one needs C be assured
tha, the action Of the Holy Father is
prompted not only by personal kindness
toward myself. but also by earnest soil
ci.uda for the best interests Of the Uni
versi.v. He believes in rotation in
Office. rs
ALL SENSIBLE MEN MUST.
lie knows the evils of allowing any
official. and especially the head Of
university. 20 fossil!ze at his post, and
IN this all must acknowledge his wis
dom. His enlightened prudence, and
that Of the trustees Who have 10 present