The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-22
LEFT WITH
THE POPE.
The Charges Made Against
Mgr. Schroeder.
HIERARCHY'S DECISION.
Negative Conviction as to Guilt,
but No Removal.
A TALK WITH ACCUSED PRELATE

w dSIlIlEtOU, oCt. tSAtIudy llc
cardinal. archbishops and bishops con-
stituting the board of directors Of the
Catholic university OF America decided
10 refer the case Of Mgr Schroeder. pro-
fessor of dogmatic theology at the uni
versity. to Pope Leo for final determina-
ton. The decision was formally an
nounced in an official statement. The
case is one of the most notable in the
recent history of the church, and, be-
sides agitating the hierarchy 10 the CEN
ter and engaging public attention in this
country, IL has been considered at the
Vatican and has been the subject of cable
communications beween Rome and the
papal delegate at Washington.
The decision OF the board as given out
by the secretary, Mgr. Conaty. is as
follows: The board was notified that
Mgr Schroeder intended TO send in his
resignation during his last stay in Ger
many; that he did not do so on account
of an advice received from the holy
father. The board therefore leaves the
final decision to the holy father himself.
and expresses it's regret at the many
charges made against Mgr. Schroeder in
this connection"
Beyond this the officials declined TO
state any OF the circumstances leading
UP 10 the decision. although there was
an abundance of comment on its mean
ing and effect. 1t was understood that
while the decision was TO refer the case
10 Rome for final action. yet that the
board had expressed its own view.
which would be forwarded 10 Rome with
Mgr. Schroeder's views, and that his re-
tirement would come about voluntarily
within "A year Statements that Mgr.
Schroeder had resigned as preliminary
TO the reference OF the case 10 the pope
we're positively and authoritatively de-
MED.
A Talk with the Accused.
After the board had adjourned the
r1ons.gnor was asked for an authorized
statement. He expressed regret at the
prominence gwen 10 his name before the
public ard said that he most earnestly
wanted 10 resign as a professor during
his last vacation: that he had been suf-
FERNS very much from neuralgia while
in Germany. and the physicians advised
him to resign on account Of the great
and continuing mental excitement con-
nected with his position; that he came
back 10 the university because the holy
father told him TO do so: that therefore
he could not resign without the consent
OF the holy father; that as 20 the per-
sonal attacks upon him his answer was
only contempt, and he was glad to hear
that the board did not take the charges
into consideration.
A Remarkable Controversy.
The Schroeder case has been a remark
able controversy in many respects. Mgr.
Schroeder entered the faculty of the
university when IL was started and has
been with It continuously since. He is
a recognized authority on doctrinal and
philosophical subjects. a man Of wide
scholarship and considered the foremost
Latin orator Of the church. OF recent
years he has differed with his associates
on questions Of policy. and this was in
tcnslhed at the time of the retirement
of Bishop Keane from the rectorship of
the university. IL being asserted that
Mgr. Schroeder was in part responsible
for that change He was regarded as
the conspicuous exponent of the German
clergy and the views they entertained
on church policy.
AS q result OF the differences the at
tention Of the beard Of directors was
brought to Or. Schroeder's case with a
view 60 lis removal. When the board
first met little doubt was felt in univer-
sty circles that his retirement would
be brought about 1t developed, how
ever. that on Sunday last a cablegram
from Rome had been received by Mgr.
Martinelli, the papal delegate, asking
him 10 inform the board that the pope
desired Mgr. Schroeder TO remain at the
university. IL was also brought 10 the
attention OF the board that Mgr. Schroe-
der had expressed q willingness to re-
sign IL given permission to do so by the
pope. Under the circumstances, after
two days OF earnest consideration. the
decision announced was reached. trans
ferring TO Pope Leo the final decision of
the case.
At the meeting Of the archblshops TO
consider general affairs relating TO the
church IL was decided 20 continue the
Catholic Indian bureau with Mgr.
stephan IN charge. and to distribute
about Sl17.000 for Indian schools.
Don't Neglect = Head Cold.-Catarrh