The times., 1897-03-30
MANY CHANGES NAY RESULT.
Great Surprise Caused by Father
Purbrick's Appointment.

To the large majority, if, indeed not &c
all, of The Jesuit fathers OF Washin gton the
recent appointment of Rev. Father Pur-
brick, s. j., of England, as provincial of
the MarylaDd-New York province, comes in
the nature of great surprise, says a Wash
ington special to the Baltimore Sun. 1t has
| caused much gossip in Catholic circles here,
as it may precede changes in the rectorship
OF Georgetown University and Gonzaga Col
| Iege.
When Rev. William O'Bren Pardow, the
recent provincial of the Jesuits, was in
| Washington several months ago he was
| asked what would be done regarding Rev
| Father j. Hayens Richards, s. j., rector OF
| Georgetown University, and Rev. Father
| Gillespie, S. j.. rector OF GonZaga College
| and pastor of st Aloysius. Father pa rdow
| said that both had been doing excellent
| work, and AS far as he could see there was
| no reason for disturbing them. As the
! provincial has absol ute control OF the
] members of the order in his province, this
| statement was taken TO mean that the
| fathers mentioned would not be Disturbed
| In their positions, at least not for sorIe
| time. Such has proved 60 be the case so
| far, and 1t is sincerely hoped they Will
| continue to remain III the positions they
| have filled SO we'll.
Father Richards term as rector OF the
| university has lasted much longer than the
limited on e Of three years, or even an add
tional one CT three years and during his
course at the university he las conducted
its affairs with Il mastery hand. No
rumor5 of his removal have reached here,
and it is hoped that lie will remain at the
university for years TO come.
Father Gillespie has Gone equally as well
with his charge as Father Richards has with
Georgetown. But at the same time, whiia
no changes are expected in these positions,
at least for the present, there would he II"
surprise were both filled by new appoint
ments
As far as can be learned the work OF
Father Pardow as headDf theprovince was
equally satisfactory During histerm he was
very energetic, apparently exercising his
powers with prudence and wisdom. tits no
secret that ne expected to hold office for
another term and the members OF the prov
ince expected the same also. Consequently
it was a grea surprise To all when Father
Purbrick iaDdedin New York Gnc night re-
Gently and presented his papers of appoint
Tnent from the general of the order in Rome.
lie was proclaimed provincial at / e'ciock
the same night.
Father Purhlick comes from Wimbledon.
England He has spent several years in
in this country, from 1877 to 1879.
The province over which he will have fun
control is the most important OF the two
in the United States The other is the
Missouri province The New York Mary
land province consists of New York, New
Jersey, nsylvana, Maryland District
of Columbia, Massachusetts, and Rhode
Island 1t has a membership or 500 |
priests, controls over twcHt y-five churches |
aud thirteen colleges The latter are
Georgetown University, Gonzaga College, |
the famous Great House OF STUDIES, at |
Woodstock, Nd; st. Johns and st. Francis |
Xavier's. OF New York, the latter a mag |
nificent institution, very wealthy; colleges |
at Worcester, Mass; Troy, y Y; Phila
clelphia. Baltimore, and the noyitate at |
Frederick, Md