The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-05-03
BISHOP CURTIS SAYS FAREWELL.
st. Peters PrO-Cathedral Congregation
Moved to Tears by His Talk.

Right Reverend Alfred A. Curtis yes
terday morning in st. Peters Pro. Cath =
dral preached his farewell sermon and 10 d
OF his reasons for leaving this diocese.
The congregation was large one. many
of whom We're moved to tears during his
remarks.
Explaining the reasons for his retire
ment the Bishop said II do not leaye
Wilmington because / prefer to reside
elsewhere / can never be more content
anywhere than in Wilmington, did not
ask for release becanse was disappoint-
ed in and disguised with the clergy OF the
diocese, as some people outside OF the dio-
cese have imagined.
The clergy Of Wilmington will not suf-
fer by comparison with the clergy Of any
other diocese l have the respect of them
all, and in most, If not all, find affection
as well as respect, affection that child
has for its father"
After commencing Vicar General Lyons
and Cardinal Satolli, the Bishop continu.
ed: "During the ton and one-halt years l
have been here have never been ut war
with the clergy of Wilmington; still less
am disappointed with the laity.
'The real cause for my retirement is be-
cause Of age, as l am nearly 70. Some
men when they are old think they are the
pier around which everything else must
turn, but they should step aside and let
younger people take their place. 1t is ago
that makes me ask for release:"
Next, am older in soul than l am in
body. forget and become bewildered. l
am no more fit for anything save to en-
sconce myself in some still nook there TO
think little, pray little and prepare
thus for the death which cannot now be
long coming.
But why cannot you stay and take
things more easilyr II attempted this /
am sure you would all be very patient
with me, and very far from accusing me Of
neglecting my duties.
"But in the first place simply cannot
stay here and spare myself. Next, ought
not to do this even were equal to doing
it. Ii 1t were aquestion OF myself OF no
one at all in my place, of course should
stay with you. as perhaps might be somo
what better than nobody at ALL But this
Is not the question. 1t is, shall l stay,
thereby barring out one in every way
more efficient, or shall regard the diocese
more than myself. and SO go whittier l
shall not be absolutely useless, at the
same time making room for successor,
fully and happily, am sure, meeting the
needs of the diocese.
"Itiwould be very good in you to let mo
stay and want me to stay, having become
what am, but it would be bad in me to
use your patience and your affections to
the injury of the whole diocese. There.
fore my part Is plainly to go. But be sure
that whithersoever / go shall carry my
interest in you, my gratitude to you and
my duty to pray for you, and besides my
obligations to further the welfare of Viii.
mington in every way l may in the future
find within my power, and in return beg
that you will all continue to pray for me,
living and dead"
Bishop Monaghan will be conseCrated
at the Pro Cathedral next Sunday. Car
dinal Gibbons will otficiate as celebrant Of
the Pontifcal Mass, and among other
Bishops expected are Bishop Curtis;
Becker of Savannah; Moore and Van de
Vequer, of Richmond, Va; Donahoe, of
bishop Ryan and Bishop Prendergast, Of
Philadelphia. One hundred priests and
seminarians will assist the bishops
Rev. John j, Monaghan was born in
South Carolina in 1866, received a classical
education at st Charles College Eiicott
City Nd, and studied theology and
philosophy at st. Mary's Seminary, Balti.
more. On Christmas Day, 1885, he was
ordained to the priesthood in Charleston.
s. c., by the late Bishop Lynch and was
appointed assistant pastor Of St. Joseph's
Church, Charleston. Later he was placed
in charge Of several country congrega'
tions in South Carolina. He was recall
ed by Bishop Northrop to bo made CHAN.
cellor OF the diocese.
Father Monaghan when elected to tho
bishopric was secretary of the bishops
council of the diocese of South Carolina,
was one Of the examiners of clergy,
member of the commission of examina.
tion of schools and was as iistart rector Of
st. Patrick's Church. Charleston, under
the vicar-general of the diocese, Mgr D.
j. Quigley, and has been practically ad-
mlnistrator Of the parish.