The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-10-28
ACTION IN SCHROEDER CASE
BOARD OFDIRECTORS of CATHOLIC
UNIVERSITY REFERRED THE
NATTER TO THE POPE.
A MOST REMARKABLE CONTROVERSY
.MOnsiEnOr Schroeder Wanted TO Re-
sign While in Germany, Hut
the Pope Told Him Not to
Do So.

Washington, Oct. 21.-The cardinals,
archbishops and bishops constituting the
board of directors of the Catholic univer-
the case of Mgr. Schroeder, professor of
dOgmatic theology ut the university, to
Pope Leo for final determination.
This conclusion was reached this after
noon and was formally announced in an
official statement by the board. The case
is one of the most notable in recent his
tory and besides agitating the hierarchy
10 the center and engaging public atten-
ton in this country, it has been consider
ed at the vatican and has been the sub
ject of cable communications between
Rome and the papai delegate at Wash
ington. The decision or the board as
gwen out by the secretary, Mgr. COnaty,
is as follows:
''rhe board was notified that Mgr.
Schroeder intended to send i'll his reslS-
nation during his last stay in Germany,
that he did not do SO on account of ad-
vice from the holy father. The board
therefore leaves the final decision to the
holy father himself and expresses its re-
greet at the many charges made against
Mgr. Schroeder in this connection"
Officials refused to state any of the
circumstances leading up to the decision.
There was an abundance of comment on
its meaning and effect. 1t was under
stood that while the decision was to
refer the case to Rome for final action
yet the board had expressed its own
view, which would be forwarded to Rome
with Mgr. Schoeder's view and that his
resignation would come about voluntarily
within year. Statement is that Mgr
Schroeder has resigned as a preliminary
to the reference of the case to the pope
were positively and authoritativcly de-
MED.
After the board had adjourned a repre-
sentative of the Associated Press asked
the monsignar for Il statement. He eX-
pressed regret at the prominence given to
his name before the public and said he
most earnestly wanted to resign as Il
professor during his last vacation; that
he had been suffering very much from
neuralgia while in Germany and the
physicians advised him to resign on ac-
count of the great and continued mental
excitement connected with his position;
that he came back to the university be-
cause the holy father told him to do so;
that therefore he could not resign with
out the consent of the holy father: that
as to the present attacks made upon him.
his answer was only contempt and that
he was glad to hear the board did not
take the charges into consideration.
The Schroeder case has been n re-
markable controversy in many respects.
Mgr. Schroeder entered the faculty of
the university when it was started and
has been with it continuously since. lie
is a recognized authority on doctrinal and
philOsophic questions. 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.
tensified Mt the time of the retirement OF
Bishop Keanc from the rectorship of the
university. it 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 entertained on
church policy. As a result of differences.
the attention of the board of directors
was brought to DR.. SchrOcder's case with
view to his removal. When the hoard
first met little doubt was felt in univer-
sity circles that his retirement would be
brought about. 1t developed, however.
that on Sunday last a cnblegram from
Rome had been received by Mgr. Marti-
nelli the papal delegate. asking him to
inform the board that the pope desired
that Mgr Schroeder remain at the uni
versty. 1t was also brought to the at
tention of the board that Mgr. Schroeder
had expressed willingness to resign if
given permission to do so by the pope.
Under the circumstances, after two
days of earnest consideration. the deci-
sion announced today was reached. trans
ferring to the pope the final decision of
the case.
At meeting of the archbishops to con-
slider general affairs relating. to the
church. it was decided to continue the
Catholic Indian bureau with Mgr.
Stephan in charge and to distribute S177,-
OOO for tho Indian schools