The sun., 1897-06-18
ArPEAL TO THE PAPAI DELEGATE
Revolt AEainst the Ecclesiastical Foley 81
Rishop Becker or GeorGia.

Revolt AGatnrt the Eccionthnucet Fe"es -
Bishep Becker OF GeerGia.
WASHINGTON. Juno 17.-According to an ap-
peal which has been received by Archbishop
Martinelli, representative Of Leo Kill, from
tho secular clergy Of the diocese OF Georgia.
there Is a widespread revolt against the eccie-
siastical policy OF Bishop Becker The revolt Is
one which grown out Of want of harmony bc
tween the Bishop and his clergy. and this feel
ing was emphasized by the recent triumphant
tour of Archbishop Gross Of Portland, Ore,
through his old diocese OF Savannah.
Thirteen years ago Bishop Gross. then OF Sar
yannah was transferred to Portland, and Bishop
Becker of wilmington. Del, was transferred to
Georgia. When Bishop Becker reached his
post of duty he failed to put himself on rapport
with the clergy already in tho do
cese, which course was intensified by his
bringing with him the Rev. Benjamin J. Kelley.
an eloquent clergyman. whom he made Vicar
General and established in Atlanta, although
there was at tho time a Vicar-General. Father
Cafferty in office. While the latter continued
to hold Office, the former was in reality the
Bishops constant representative and enjoyed all
the favors Of patronage.
Thus matters have progressed until about
three years ago, when Father Schlenke of Co
lumbus was peremptorily removed from his
parish and reduced to curacy in Savannah.
With German pertinacity Father Schlenke ap-
pealed to Cardinal Satolli, and was by him re-
instated. This was the first backbone which was
given to the feeling against the Bishop policy.
Recently Bishop Becker has abolished one Of
the parish churches in Atlanta, turning 1t over
to the Marists. at the same time giving them
control of entire north Georgia, as well as con-
siderable slice of south Georgia around Bruins
wick. The priests in tho territory thus given
away protested loudly, and have sent
an appeal to Archbishop Mnrtinelli. which
has been signed. not only by themselves.
but by the other secular clergy, with
appeal to Archbishop Martinelli that they have
after having given their lives to church work.
and they further point out that the policy OF
giving away the most important parts of the
diocese to the church orders discourages the
secular clergy and breaks up all future possi-
bilities OF ambition. citing as an evidence that
during tho last ten years there has not
been a vocation for the secular clergy in the
the knowledge Of the people that there is no
promotion ahead for young levttes. since all the
choice places will be filed by Jesuits, Marists,
and other Church orders.
In all Of this disagreement there In no intima-
ton OF any lapse Of morals or want OF zeal, only
that the Bishop is pursuing o fatal policy in
governing his diocese, which will prevent 1t
from showing as good a record as those about it:
H He had pr previously ,t given ava away the city Of
In the State. to the Jesuits. so that secular
clergyman visiting that point Is out Of his ele.
ment. Half Of Augusta was likewise disposed
of. Bishop Becker is a student and q recluso.
mixing very little with people. and IL unap.
proachable because Of his reserve.