The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-11-21
REV. DR.. CONATY NAMED
AS RECTOR OF THE CATHOLIC UNI-
VERsITY AT WASHINGTON.
Interview with Cardinal SntOIIf i'm
Regard to Alleged Differences i'm
Church Matters.

BALTIMORE, Nov. 20-The Suns cor
respondent at Rome cabled as follows. un-
der date of Nov. 19.-Rev DR.. Thomas j.
Conaty, rector of the Church of the Sacred
Hart, Worcester. Mass, has been appointed
rector of the Catholic University at Wash
ington, ID. c., to succeed Bishop John j.
Keane, who resigned Sept. 29, 1885,
The same correspondent has interviewed
Cardinal Satolli in relation to the reports
published in this country concerning Car
dinal Gibbons. Archbishop Ireland and
others. He writes of them follows:
Il then drew his attention TO the reports
and rumors which had been made about
him Immediately after Bishop Keane's
resignation of the rectorship of the Wash
ington University and of the part that he is
said to have played in il. His attention
was also directed to the change that was
said to have somewhat suddenly come
about in his attitude toward certain men,
bers of the hierarchy. The various phases,
and the full details Of these rumors which
are so well known to those who have fol-
lowed the polemics that arose on this ques-
ton in the United States curing the last
few weeks. were evidently quite unknown
to him. The clippings which l had made Of
them from American journals appearing be-
then presented to him for the first time.
After glancing rapidly over the headings.
he said:
Cardinal (SatollD and having spoken TO
him of these reports which nave appeared
in the newspapers concerning the matters
to which you have just drawn his attention,
he says solemnly that they are wholly de-
void of foundation. Such as he has been
heretofore. such he is and shall continue TO
be. In respect TO the United States, rep
resentative of the Holy Father, he has
striven to rise, and considers he has sue
ceeded in rising above all differences and
And then. forgetting for a moment the
formal method of utterance which he had
son singular, saying the following words:
1 have striven on every occasion for the
peace and the commonweal of the church
and the country. Loyalty to the church
and the country which is the title OF my
book, has ever been my motto.
WORCESTER. Mass, Nov. 2O.-Rev.
Thomas j. Conaty, ID. D., was seen soon
after the news of his appointment was re-
ceived in this city. In fact the dispatch
was, he said. the most direct and authentic
news he had received about the matter.
However, in view of the fact that official
notification of his appointment had yet
reached him. DR.. Conaty said he did not
care to discuss the subject aside from de-
claring that he is very grateful for the
many expressions of confidence already re-
ceived and that he has been deeply sensible
of the trust imposed i'm him since the day
his name was first mentioned in connection
with the office.
Or. Conaty was born i'm ireland I'm 1Si7.
His father and mother were both noted for
their intellectual attainments. Not long
after his birth the family came 10 this
country and established their home at
Taunton. Mass. In this city DR.. Conaty
received his preparatory education. He
then continued his studies at Holy Cross
nary. Troy, n. Y. The University OF
Georgetown gave him the degree of doctor
of divinity in 1889. His religious work COM
rnenced at Worcester, Mass, where he has
remained until the present time. After fin
ishing his theological studies he was ap-
pointed curate TO Rev. Griffin at St. John $
Church. He remained in that position a
number of years and finally he became rec
tor of the Sacred Heart Church, which was
erected under his auspices. From the be-
ginning Of his career as priest he was
prominent as able and thoughtful speak
err and especially upon the subject of tenn
perance. For several years he has been the
head of the Catholic summer school at
Plattsburg. n. Y. He is the publisher of a
weekly paper. the Catholic School Gazette.
and Is regarded as a firm supporter of the
parochial school. He has had the office OF
president of the Catholic Total Abstinence
Union of America for two terms. He has
always been prominent IN Irish national
affairs and is active in the interests of the
| Land League of America. DR.. Conaty .
| friends state that he is a lover of all things
| American and has always endeavored TO
| cultivate more than anything in his people
| a liking for good, broad American citizen
| ship.