Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-12-03

Baltimore, December 2.-Bishop John
Joseph Keane, late rector of the Catho-
lie University has accorded an inter
view to the Sun. in which he emphat-
ically denies all the reports that he is
out of favor at Rome. lie sId:
"When / received the ngsJ letter OF
the pope desiring that l should lay
down my position at the university,
obeyed the call, as any solder should
the call OF mis- superlOrs, Willingly ana
cheerfully. What / had 70 say on JAIs
subject / said then, and II remains III
force to-day. / then went TO C~uIo4-
MIA. where l found rest and quiet, ana
spent most delightful period. 1 Adu
mapped out for myself considerable
work which / intended to 90 III the ~
ture. work both pleasant and, J thought
. of service to the church. hdd not
tho desire to so TO Rome but when the
Holy Father again expressed me hlS
wishes that i should come TO Rome ana
take I'D the honors and duties which
await me there, / laid down my plans
and took up my journey TO the HOLY
City.
THE reports which were prevalent
that the pope desired 10 degrade me
when he relieved me OF my duties at
the university, a.e entirely without
foundation. The kind expressions
used in the letter which was printed
We're repeated and even more strongly
in the second communication.
The bishop declined TO state in what
form the call TO Rome came, saying
that Il was immateraL He continued:
II may say, however that there are
high honOrs awaiting me IN huhle'
honors which l never solicited ana
which / shall accept. as 1 snail accept
the duties which 80 with them mercy
for the sake of the church. ] care noun
ing for houors. but my whole heart Is
with the church
Il had in San Jose a most hospital
and delightful resting place. Whele an
was quiet and peaceful But ,he work
called me and I go to Rome, as l went
from the university, willingly and WITH
ont a moments hesitation. l nave
consulted with Cardinal Gibbons, Arch
bishop Ireland. Archbishop kicroan
others. and all agree that l can be OF
create. service TO the church IN TINS
country by going 10 Rome than l cou-d
possibly be here. Il is 81 al ply ,-''
a matter of such dignity and importance
should have DESCENDED 10 , Sle 49, -. ~.
mere newspaper gossip. The papers
have been filled lately with al so' -. VI
rumors, many OF them apparently il l,.l
Rome itself. about inc ol1'J-Ue VI ~ ,,-
pope toward the American ','''' ~ -.
have been utterly laiSe ana ih,,-lDIou9'
"The attitude of the pope toward lhe
church i'm this country has not changed
parttcle He is I'm sympathy WIN IT.
l1-dav. lust as he has been al along.
It has only his best and Anaesl ana
Tarmest wishes for ile prosperity. All
along the Holy Father has display gu
only the kirdesl feeling Tor me anu
others. as was s-OWn by ans hrSJ .el'-''
have received "ole - o ~, y' ore varv
much hurt that such an erroneous
of the matter sh0u.o nave 0o.- -..,..
in This country and that it was entirely
without foundation of any hnu.
Il cannot discuss my uulleS III NUN
any further that to say that they nave
been outlined in the call 10 Rome. L,t
will. of course, deal largely Win 1"C
affairs of the church in America: ! am
going there to do all l can Iol l,.t
church here and the chufcH I"'o'7''0'''
IL world 5. +b,
Here the conversation turned un NV. ,i.g
reports apparently from Rome anu Wv
credence given to them In eI,eiI
quarters that the pope was VeNed WIN
Archbishop Ireland
"That." said the bishop, was me ng-
tural sequence OIL Ihe S-," IL, and ike
op Ireland is powerful man anu, I'M
all powerful men, he has Il eIeao -, -
Der of enemies. These are "lg@ ~, .
ready to attack him theusel' es mn, am" ~,
spire others to do the same. -, nv
mors regarding MN Nele' oss C ,,,t
doubt. set going by those VINO were mo-
mt least the friends OF ArcnOlSnop l'0-
land"
Us there any danger al an '""1
will he affected 10y these rumoT5 OF ell
forts?" was asked.
None in the least. AfcnOlsuop L.
land is more powerful to-day Jlan ne
ever was before. ]. myself nave So,
documents from Rome shoWihs ne! Iuo
doubt that he is In higher l@'0' Ia
ever. Archbishop lreiauo on5
stronger the more he is a1,acNeo' Anu
it viii always prove that way. ,.-,
In the course OF The interview bIsu-
ON IT,