Omaha daily bee., 1897-06-22

Row in the Diocese of Lincoln that
Hns Become Celebrated.


Hns Become Celebrated.
The origin of the trouble leading up to
this case is somewhat obscure. 1t sprang
from various acts of the bishop of Lincoln
toward his priests. While only Fathers
Fitzgerald and Murphy are involved in the
present~instance, the case Is the elimination
of a series of diocesan trials, civil trials, ap-
prals and ecclesiastical recrimination which
forms the history of the diocese for the
past seven years Complaints of injustice on
the part Of Bishop Bonacum began among
the priests soon after the bishop took charge
of the diocese in 1886, but several years
passed before they crystallized into open re-
volt In 1892 trouble began over the
management of the convent at Hastings
Complaint had been made to the apostolic
delegate concerning the bishops conduct to-
ward the sisters in charge. The bishop of
Omaha was instructed to inquire into the
matter. He delegated the work to the resi-
dent pastor at Hastings. All concerned in
this inquiry incurred the dsfavor of the
bishop of Lincoln, who meted out punish
mtnt when opportunity offered. The pas
tor who undertook the inquiry under pro-
test was within two years after driven out
Of the diocese.
Early in 1898 the priests who claimed to
have been treated unjustly formulated
charges against the bishop and forwarded
them to Archbishop Satolli at Washington.
copy of the charges was sent from Wash
ington to Bishop BOnacum in March of that
year, and he was notified to make answer.
At this period and for some time preceding
Father Fitzgerald was member of the
bishops household at Lincoln. Being
relative of the late JChn Fitzgerald banker
and contractor, he was expected to accom-
plsh much good in a financial way The
duties imposed on him, however. were not
to his taste. He did not come up 20 the
hopes of the bishop as a solicitor and was
shifted ont on mission duty.
ST. BERNARD'S UNION.
The general expectation of a trial of
Bishop Bonacum, entertained by the priests
in the spring of 1893, convinced them that
organization was necessary. st. Bernards
Union was formed. Sixteen of the forty
three priests in the diocese became active
members and an equal number gave ii their
support on the quiet Father Fitzgerald
was chosen secretary, and in that capacity
conducted its voluminous correspondence
with marked ability
In June, 1893, Archbishop Satolli delegate
apostolic, jouTneyed TO Omaha to hear the
evidence in support Of the charges preferred
by the priests against Bishop Bonacum. No
| hearing was had, however The bishop did
not appear until the third day, but he sue
ceeded in smoothing over matters by prom
lsing the delegate to forgive and forget"
The gravity OF the case and the mass OF
documentary testimony presented by the
priests made the delegate averse to action.
BY remandlng the case to the metropolitan
Of the province and placing the bishop on
his good behavior he expected the delay
would right matters.
The truce was of short duration Fathers
Loughran and Quinn, two of the complain
ing priests, were dismissed from their mis-
sons, and proceedings were begun to oust
Father NJ. j. Corbett of Palmyra, who was
conspicuous In pressing the charges against
the bishop. Appeal after appeal went to
Satolli, the power OF the civil courts was
invoked and the struggle waXed warm all
along the line. Meanwhile a new province
was carved out of the province OF St Louis
and Bishop Hennessy was made archbishop
OF the metropolitan see. Six months were
consumed in getting some action from the
new metropolitan. Finally, under instruc-
tions from his superlors, Archbishop Hen
messy came to Omaha in April 1894, osten-
sibly to try the bishop on the charges pre-
terred.
CHARGES AGAINST THE BISHOP.
The indictment Of the priests against
Bishop Bonacum contained fifteen charges
with 1l5 specifications The charges were:
'Maladminisration, tyranny, oppression in
subordinatlon, melting strife, slander and
libel, arbitrary exercise and abuse OF power
violation of diocesan statutes. misappropria-
ton, falsehood, speculation, undue influence
unjust favoritsm scandal, gambling and in
citation to perjury"
The complaining priests and their wit
nesses were In attendance at the appointed
time, but Bishop Bonacum was not Arch
bishop Hennessy refused 10 grant a formal
trial on the charges. He would hear the
personal grievance OF each priest and no
more To this the complainants objected in
vain, demanding a trial or nothing. They
withdrew and once more appealed TO Del
egate SatOlli. Archbishop Hennessy CON
clude1 20 make an inYes tigatiOn personally
and went TO Lincoln. Hastings and one or
two other towns in the diocese The re-
suit OF this investigation was embodied In
a report to Delegate Satoll which was In
effect ihaI lnrIIv Of The haLtar