The sun., 1896-10-05
BISHOP KEANE RETIRES.
RELIBTED OF the REcToRsHIP OF
The CATHOLIC UNITERSITr.

The Pope Eievatea Him to tho Rank OF
| Arohbishop and Olives Him tho Choice 90
hemain Here 60 TO Home-t'hoones
60 Remain In His Own Country.
wAsuIsoTos. oct. 4.-Bishop John ]. Kcane,
rector of the Catholic University of America,
has resigned at the request OF Pope Leo XIII.
| The news which became public here to-day in
an unauthorized and somewhat inaccurate
form, was entirely unexpected and caused
| much comment in Catholic circles. Bishop
Keane this afternoon madc public tho Official
| correspondence so that tho facts should be
| properly understood. He accompanied IL by the
following statement:
"Sinco my withdrawal from the rectorship of
the Catholic University of america will proba-
| bly, be regarded By a considerable portion OF
| the American public as n matter of some inter.
| est to them, and since unnut horlzcd statements
are apt TO be misleading, deem II my duty to
state briefly and clearly tho facts OF the case.
! On Sept. 2S received, through his Eminence
Cardinal Gibbons, n letter from our Holy Father
Leo XIlI., OF which the following Is transla-
| tion:
ITO renrrdbls brother, John Joseph kcune.
| bishop orhe iJ1sso:
| "VEvERABrE BROTHER: Health and apostolic
benedicton. 1t IL customary that they who are
appointed to preside over Catholic universities
| should not hold the ofllco In perpetuity. This
| custom has grown up through wise reasons, aud
| 1t should be adhered to. Since. therefore.
venerable brother. 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 diligence, 1t has seemed beat that the
| aforementioned custom should not be departed
from, and that another. whose name is to be
proposed tous by tho Bishops, should be ap-
| pointed to succeed you In this honorable posi-
| ton. In order, however. that, in your resigning
this office, due regard may be had to your person
/ and your dignity, we have determined TO ele-
| vate you to the rank of Archbishop.
Being solicltous for your future welfare.
main in your own country, or, ifyou prefer 1t. to
| come to Rome lfyou choose the former we
vote OF tho Bishops OF the United states II YOU
prefer the latter We shall welcome you most
tors OF the Congregation of studies and the Con-
| gregati9n OF the propaganda in both OF which
In the United States In this latter case we
| would also assign you a suitable revenue for
| your honorable maintenance.
| 50 Confidently trusting, venerable brother
that you Will accept this our administrative act
! with hearty good VIII. we most lovingly bestow
! upon you the Apostolic bsnedictOn as pledge
Given at Rome, from st. Peters. this 18th
THE next day mailed to the Holy FATHER a
1.-THE CATnmLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA.
..uosr IIoI WAfTHINGToN' = Septi p ~, 1896.
| .husi ilblf rAIHER: his EmlHenCe Gar
! dinal Gibbons. yesterday handed me the letter
Ia which your Holiness has made known to me
! that my administration Of this university now
comes to an end and thai another rector is to he
appointed Without a moment Of hesitation
Of ,hs m shs OF ds
and from this instant resign into the hands OF
MS Em!nencs !I, &C, tne ChanGe!lor the Office Of
ing your Holiness for the freedom Of choice
granted me, choose to remain In my own
country. and. moreover. without anv official uo-
d sition Whatsoever. in tranquility and peace.
Your Holiness most humble son in Christ,
Il welcome my release from the Office OF rec
tor OF the university with profound gratitude
beth to Divine Providence and to the Pope.
While always regarded its duties as a labor of
love. they had grown 70 be far beyond my
the burden is a response to many prayers.
was too 10y al soldier to ask to be relieved from
fe.pe than NO u ni ySnps ~ ohe ron nIt
tude in the work had brought me close In tho
end Of my brain and nerve powers. | was fully
ready to welcome what has been done. shall
now enjoy some months OF greatly needed rest
on tho Pacihc coast. leaving all plans for tho
OF course no one needs to be assured that
the action Of the iioi, Father Is prompted not
also by earnest solicitude for the best interests
Of of the university; M He believes in rotation in
evils Of allowing any official and especially the
head Of university, to fossiAe At his post, and
dom, His enlightened prudence. and that
OF the trustees who have to present the
in every way fitted to guide the work
TO fuller and fuller success From the peaceful
retirement which | trust ! have somewhat
earned, | shall ever watch its progress with un-
sbsted interest. And appeal to all whom my
efforts in behalf OF the university have ever
reached to redouble their interest. their zeal,
their generosity. In this new chapter of the uni
versity's existence, and TO make it what II by
right must be. the crowning glory of Christian
education in America"
The university Is now in charge of the vice.
rector. the Rev. Father Gar; gan, who will di-
rect Its affairs until a rector is selected. The
vice-rector. speaking of Bishop KeRue's retire
meut. said that the faculty ami all the students
were very unwilling to part with Bishop kenne.
VINO was beloved by all. Tomorrow the fall
course OF tho university begins and the rector
will then formally announce his retirement.
Tho inception. progress. and partial compile
tiOn OF the great university was the work OF
Bishop KeaUe. Tho buildings already con-
sirGcted. together with the grounds. endow-
mcnt. made, and chairs founded aggregate
mi ~ oil IA