The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-01-20
CONATY IN CHARGE
NEW RECTOR OF THE CATHOLIC
UNIVERSITY INSTALLED
Iotable Event in the History of the Great
Institution. Marked by the Presence of
the Papal Delegates and Other Great
Dienitaries of the Church-Dr. CouRty
Proclaims Peace Between Science and
Religion and States That the Church Has
Always Been the Friend of True Science
. The DAYS Observances.


Washington. D. c., Jan. 1e-Very Rev.
Thomas j. Conaty, DID,, was today install
ed as rector of the Catholic university OF
America. II was notable event in the
history of the institution and drew to-
Eether a distinguished assemblage or
rhurhmsn and educators At o'clock o..
M, Cardinal Gibbons, in his scarlet robes,
headed the procession across the University
grounds 10 Mcmahon hall. He was ac-
rompanicd by Monsignor MartineIli, the
papal delegate, and a number of visiting
/rlergymen. Following these came the fac
ulty and students of the university. Nc
Mahon hall was handsomely decorted for
the event, the papal coIors and the stars
and stripes beng entwined above the
platform where the ceremony occurred
The cardinal, archbshops and bishops oc-
rupied the platform, and also President
Whitman of Columbian university, Pres;
sent Richards of Georgetown university
President Rankin OF Howard university.
Senators Carter. Smith and Roacne and
Minister Andrade of Venezuela. The body
Of the hall was crowded to overlooking
with invited guests.
The ceremony opened with the reading of
the pope's brief appointing DR.. Conaty as
rector, by Professor Shea, of the un;ver-
Eity staff
Cardinal Gibbons then delivered the open
ing address. He referred TO Pope Leo
XIII and Bishop Keane as the two found
ers of the university and also paid high
tribute to Vice Rector Corrigan. He hearth
ly congratulated DR.. Conaty on the aus
picous circumstances of his appointment,
and referred to the high esteem in which
Fa
station at his former home. Proceeding,
he said:
Let the watchword of the Catholic
church be Revelation and science; reli-
zion and patriotism; God and country If
/ had the privilege of modifying the con-
stitution of the United States I would not
expunge or alter a single paragraph a
single line, or a single word of that imnor-
tai instrument. The constitution is adj
mirably adapted to the growth and expan-
sion Of the Catholic religion, and the Catho-
&c religion is admirably adapted TO the
genius of the constitution. They fit to-
gether like two links IN the same chain"
The cardinal referred with satisfaction
TO the fact that the university did not have
to look to the government IN order to
shape its acton, the only restriction on II
being the limits of its own purse. He
added:
Here, thank Go, our government holds
ever US the arm of its protection, without
Interfering with our God-given liberties as
expounders of the divine law"
The cardinal closed with an eloquent plea
that all of those connected with the uni
Fersity be ''vindicators, not only of reli-
gion and science. but also of the civil and
political institutions of our beloved coun-
try"
At the conclusion of the cardinals aG-
dress, Vice Rector Corrigan stepped for
ward and presented the new rector with
the constitution and seal of the universi- |
ty, adding an earnest welcome to DIR. Coma |
ty. The latter acknowledged the long-con- |
tinued applause and than began his inau- |
gural discourse, speaking in a strong and |
pleasing voice.
DR.. Conaty. after expressing his great |
gratitude to the directors of the university, |
who had designated him to the high honor I
of the rectorship. said that he had been |
called to his new post from the busy |
sphere of parochial duties and felt unable |
10 announce any definite plan OF work IN |
til he had opportunity to STUDY the needs |
of the great institution over which he had /
been called 10 preside. He paid warm |
tribute to the ability ard integrity of his |
predecessor, Bishop keane, who, he said. |
had been called by the pontif to a field of |
greater honor and wider influence.
Speaking OF the scope and Catholcity of |
The university's teaching. DIR. Conaty said: |
Truth is one as Cog IS one. whether it |
be sought for In the moral or scientific |
order. There is no secret in nature which |
cam offer danger to truth. The church |
has always blessed true scisgce and bless
sd 1t every day"
AS DR.. Conaty closed he was greeted with |
hearty applause, while the cardinal and |
other high churchmen extended warm per-
sonal congratulations. The new rector |
proceeded TO the rotunda below. where for |
half an hour he received the long line OF |
guests who were anxious to grasp his /
hand and express their Well wishes.