Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-29
SEE OF NEW ORLEANS
Transfer Of Archbishop Chapelle to
That Important Post.
Conceded BY TEE PAPAL DELEGATION
No Official Notification of Change
Yet Received Here.
SKETCH OF THE APPOINTEE
Conceded BY TEE PAPAL DELEGATION
SKETCH OF THE APPOINTEE

1t was stated today at the headquarters
Of the papal delegation. I'd and L streets
northwest, that nothing was known of the
appointment of Archbishop Chapelle of
Santa Fee to be archbishop of New Orleans,
beyond the press dispatches received from
Rome to that effect. The report, how
ever, was regarded as correct.
In the same dispatch which announced
the fact of Archbishop Chapelles transfer
raj it was stated that Rev. Father Fitz-
maurice, rector of the Church Of the An
nunciadon, Williamsport, Pa, had been
appointed coadjutor bishop of Erie, Pa.
This is evidently a mistake, as the rector
OF the Williamsport church is not Father
Fitzmaurice, but Father Carney. There is
Father Fitzmaurice rector of st. Charles
BorreIneo Seminary, Philadelphia.
1t is stated that the appointment of
Archbishop Chapelle of Santa Fe to New
Orleans is 4 source of surprise as well as
qualification to his frienus in this city.
Archbishop Chapelie was formerly rector
of st. Matthews Church in this city, and
expected. however, that Bishop Macs of
Covingion would be the successor of Arch
bishop Janssens. The appointment is re-
garded as a victory for the priests of the
diocese in their fight against the bishops.
After the death of Archbishop Janssens
and the consequent vacancy a meeting was
held by the priests The latter made out i
list on which were the names they wanted
Tor arcf bishop, and including the names
OF Archbishop Keane and Chapelle and
BisnoT Forrest of San Antonio. The
bishops of the diocese also held a meetins,
and submitted a list containing the names
OF Bishop Heslin of Natchez and Bishop
Macs of Covington. These were sent to the
molly see and the appointment of Arch
bishop Chapelle followed.
President Faure's influence.
1t is stated that the interference of Presi-
dent Faure of Frarce had much to do with
the appointment. The French priests at
New Orleans wished Frenchman as the
archbishop, while the bishops wanted an
American or Irish archbishop in sympathy
with their branch of the church letter
was sent to President Faure, in which
they asked his aid in securing them an
archbishop of their own nationality The
letter was sent him through his daughter
as President Faure is Protestant His
daughter. however, is a Catholic, and she
was begged to use her influence with .;,er
father This was done, and the COMMUNE
cation was forwarded to Rome with the
request that it be needed, at least with
PRESIDENT Faure's approval, and the ap-
pointment followed.
The New Orleans province Is filed with
priests brought from France after they
had grown up and become imbued with
French IDEAS and who wished to retain
their language and the forms of their own
country. They have always worked for
an archbishop from France, and The ap-
pointment of Archbishop Janssens is re-
garded in the nature of a comprouise
as he was a Hollander. When he died the
fight was recommended. The Catholics
who are strongly American do not approye
the appointment of Archbishop Chapelle,
as they are beginning to dread foreign in
f1uence
Sketch of the Arch bi shOD
Placidus Louis Chapelle was born in the
south of France in 1871. He came to this
country when about fourteen years of age.
He was educated principally at ST. Mary's
Seminary in Baltimore, being ordained
there in 1869 and receiving his degree of
doctor OF divinity there. He was protege
OF Archbishop Spalding in Baltimore. The
first field to which he was assigned was St
Mary's parish, Rockville, Md.
The young priest spent two years at ST.
Marys and was then made assistant rector
of st. Johns Church. Baltimore. He re-
manned there three years and was an
pointed rector of ST. Joseph's Church in
the same city where he spent ten years
and made a splendid record as a brilliant
preacher. Cardinal Gibbons appointed him
rector of st. Matthew's Church in this CITY
when the Rev. Francis E. Boyle died. He
was rector here for five years, and was the
pastor OF many persons high in official cir
cles. The last rites of the church were ad-
ministered to Gen. Philip Sheridan by
Father Chapelle. In 1889 Father Chapelle |
was smade coadjutor archbishop of Santa
Fe, N NJ, being consecrated November Z
at the cathedral in Baltimore. Later he
became the archbishop of the diocese, when
the venerable Archbishop Salpointe re-
signed. This position he has held ever
since. Archbishop Chapelle Is a warm per-
sonal friend of Cardinal Gibbons, and 1t is
thought that his transfer is due in a great
measure to this fact. The change was a
much-to-be-desired one by the archbishop,
as In his present post he has some very
rough work, being required to cover nearly
the whole territory of New Mexico.
The successor of Archbishop Chapelle in
Santa Fe will not be appointed most likely
for some time.