The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-20
WILL SUE "A
MONASTERY
Former PassiOnist Monk
Demands $4,000.
TWELVE YEARS in ORDER
Became a Sceptic and Sought to Be
Released From Vows.
TWELVE YEARS in ORDER
HIS FATHER LEFT HIM NOTHING.

New York, July 2O.--Augustine Beau
mont, formerly Father Augustine
of the Passionist Order OF Friars, Is
preparing to bring suit against the or
der, of which he was member Tor
twelve years, to recover $4,000 which
he claims is due him for his services.
Mr.. Beaumont was born in Alsace In
1867, and in 1875 he came to this coun-
try with his father, who established
himself as a florist in West Hoboken'
opposite ST. Michaels Monastery, which
is the headquarters Of the Passionist
Order in the United States. Young
Beaumont was educated in the monas-
terry school, entered the monastery as
a novice in 1888 and continued men,
ber of the order until 1895.
|. He studied philosophy and theology
vin the schools attached to the passionist
monasteries In Pittsburg and LOUIS
VILE, and in 1892 he was ordained in
Hoboken and sent at once to Buenos
Ayres as a professor OF theology.
Gradually, however. fscepticism un-
dermined his faith. He refused to be-
lieve in eternal punishment, and when
he was forced to do penance Tor tnis
heresy he revolted in spirit but SUD-
mitted outwardly. His scepticism
| grew stronger. however and In 1880
| he left the monastery in Brazil
Before this he had written to the Pope
| appealing to him to absolve him from
| his vows and explaining to the head or
| the church his mental condition. In
| particular he asked that he be released
| from his vow of celibacy. He received
| a reply from the Holy Fathers secre-
| tary he says, informing him that his
| case had been considered by the Pope
and laid before a committee or three
| Cardinals. who advised him to remain
| in the order and prescribed course OF
| study, which IL was expected would
overcome his doubts Father Angus
| tine wrote again to the Pope on re-
| ceipt of this letter repeating his re-
| quest and adding that he should re-
| gard a failure to reply as acquiescence
in his request. No reply has ever beer
received, he says.
Soon after he left the Brazilian mon
astery the young priest met an Eng
lish woman and married her. She alse
was of a Catholic family. her brother
being a priest in England and her two
sisters nuns. About six months agt
Mr.. Beaumont and his wife came t
this country and took up their residence
at No. S14 briggs avenue, Brooklyn. H.
found. however, that the education
which he had received In the monaster.
was useless in the battle of life.
His father had died during his alb
sence, leaving a comfortable propert!
but, he declares. through the influence
of the Passionist monks he had been Gu
off from his share of the inheritance
Some months ago he made deman
on Father Baudinelli, provincial of tn
order in the United States, for som
compensation for his services durin
the twelve years he had been a membe
of il. Several letters passed betwee
them and finally. at an interview, tn
provincial, he says, offered him enoug
money to pay his passage to Europe
ne would agree to remain there. Thi
offer he refused, and he Is now abou
to acquire residence in New Jerse
and bring suit against the order.
Father Baudinelli declared that MI
Beaumont had no claim on the orde
! and denied that he was still even tech
nically a member of 1t. His dismissa
the provincial said. had arrived fror
Rome several months ago. Mr.. Beau
mont declares. however, that under Tn
rules of the Passionist order the dis
missal is not effective until 1t is agree
: | 70 by him and no decree OF expulsio
has vet been issued against him, nc
l has he been deposed from his posltio
8 as priest