The San Francisco call., 1897-10-23
Mgr. Schroeder Willing
to Leave at the End
of the Term
Presents His Version of the
Controversy at the Catholic
University.
Official Correspondence Shows the
Friendship of the Pope for
the Professor.
Special Dispatch to THE CALL

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22.-The official
correspondence relating to the case of
Mgr. Schroede r, which has attracted wide
spread attention, became available to-
day. The letter of Mgr. Schroeder sub
mitted to the board of directors OF the
Catholic University is addressed to Bishop
Horstmann of Cleveland, who acted as
attorney for the Monsignor before the
board. 1t was written shortly before the
mai meeting OF the board. 1t is dated
yesterday and is as follows:
To the Right Rer. Bishop HOrstmann, Bishop
OF CieuetdRd-RIGHT REVEREND BISHOP: When
mao, lew days ago, .he honor 10 meet you
look the opportunity TO inform You that
during my last stay in Germany Intended 10
senu from there my resignation as professor
OF tnis university. As a matter of fact, the
persistent hos tiIiIy to which | have been suo-
lected Tor years past, not only within the uni
Versity but constantly also in the English
newspapers, Catholic and secular. made such
a resolution notouly advisable but also neces-
sary, on account OF my own health and peace
OF mind
l mad been suffering from neuralgia in tie
most painful manner after the close of the
last scholastic year, and the physician de-
ctnred IL my earnest duty TO avoid excitement
1ou also know that did not SEND my reslgne-
ton, and that came back 10 Washington OH
account OF the letters OF Cardinal Steinhuber
IN which he expressed his own and the Will of
the Holy Father.
When l followed this order l was convinced
lhAt his Holiness intended To advise me not
10 give up my position Immediately. l there
lore expressly tod his EmiIencs, the Cerdi-
nal Of Cologne, as well as my relatives and
friends, that the next scholastic year would
be absolutely The last year that would stay
at the university.
When 1 arrived here on October 9 was not
a little astonished TO hear that some mem-
bers of The board had determined to demand
my resignation. Before had any chance to
nar s. I'm to ion, hna "A
was proclaimed publicly in the newspapers.
The apostolic delegate about the same time
communicated to me the dispatch he had re-
ceiyed from Cardinal Rampolla. l repeated
expressly 10 mis- EXcelleucy that under no
rcumstances would / or could l remain in
Washington beyond the scholast tic year. at
the same time remarked TO his Excellency
that l would in nowse admit even any ap-
pearAnce OF any well-grounded grievance
against me. l am, therefore, faced BY two
told fact
On one hand I cannot and will not change
the reso!ut on to leave the university within
or I least at the end of the scholastic year.
on the other hand, the newspapers have pub
nshed sucn charges against m c, which would
be brought before the board, that my char-
ac.er as priest and professor imposes on me
the imperative duty not 10 sc nj my resigna-
ton II / am not Wind Gated in some way pu b.
hcly against UGH accuse tions, which declare
10 be entirely fa Sc and calumnious.
IN saying this do not consider what has
been said or written about my presence at the
university being obstacle TO peace and
harmony among the professors. If l am a
STUN bling block l am cOuvinc, d that l be-
came sucn because l did what l thought and
still think 10 have been my duty But as a
Catholic and priest l also realize the fact
that, on account OF the sentiments and preju-
dteeS existing in regard 10 me in this house,
peace Will not be re-established without sac
rifice on my part.
And as understand that from this stand
point mem bers of the board may find it advis-
able Tor me to make that sacrifice, am ready
TO do so, and will send my resignation to his
eminence, the chancellor, within, or at the
end OF the rights and privileges that belong
to my position as professor of dogmatic theol-
ogy.
| also expect that every mem Der of the board
Will pledge himself to secrecy concerning
this, M letter. | must also add that my resig-
nation must he conditional on the approval of
our Holy Father, and / will notify his Holi-
ness Immediately OF the letter through Cardi-
nal Steinhuber JOSEPH SCHROEDER,
Washington, Oct. 21, 1897.
Another important document which
figured in the case was letter from Cardi-
nal Steinhuber, dated al Rome, Sc ptem-
Der 13 1887. In this the Cardinal stated
the Holy Father was opposed 10 Mgr.
Schroeder's hasty departure.
As Cardinal Steinhuber's letter was not
an official communication, inquiry was
made direct To the Vatican, and in re-
sponse to this a cablegram was received
by Mgr. MartineIli, the Papal delegate, on
Sunday, substantially as follows:
The Holy Father himself ADVISED Monsignor
Schroeder not to send in his resigna tion as a
professor OF the university. 1t seems that
mem bers OF the board want to force him 10 do
call their attention 10 the improperly of such
a measure.