The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-03-19
OF
FATHER DUCN.
One of the Most Conspicuous Figures
in the Catholic Church Goes
into Private LIE.

The Rev. Thomas J. Ducey. who has
announced that he is about TO retire as
pastor Of St. Leo's church in New York
Is one of the most striking figures IN mo
Catholic church Of America For years
he has been a thorn In the flesh or Arch-
bishop Corrigan; for years he has been
preaching from his pulpit sermons that
have bordered closely upon the doctrines
of socialism. smiling down upon tho
small army Of stenographers that, It was
reported. had been sent to take notes by
the archbishop. Among all the Catho-
lie priests in the archdiocese Of New
York he alone has dared 10 bring topics
Of the day and economic questions into
his sermons and he has always handled
such subjects without gloves.
The close friend Of DIT. McGlynn.
Father Ducey braved the ire OF the arch
bishop more than once. and when the
Lexow committee was at work he thun-
dered out his denunciations of the dis
honesty Of the public officials. Not only
aid he preach reform but he gave his
personal support to the investigation.
Archbishop COrrigan announced that the
Lexow committee did not meet with his
approval and reorested the priests not TO
attend its sessions.
Father Ducey might be seen at the hear
ings. In fact he was more constant
I'm his attendance than the members or
the committee themselves and he left no
stone unturned to aid them in their
work. 1--WE must clean out the whole
Aueean stables" he said OF the police
department and although It was predicts
ed that he would meet the fate of his
friend, Dr. McGlynn. he has continued
his course of open warfare against the
archbishops. always insisting that he was
not afraid that he would be singled out
for punishment
II know my duty as n priest OF the
church." he says. land I am willing TO
20 before the archbishop or the public
on my record"
The socialistic utterances TO which
Archbishop Corrigan has taken exception
are many and they range through an
phases Of the economic questions. but
rather Ducey has insisted that they are
no more sOcialistic In their tendency
than are similar utterances from the lips
NJ the greatest men of the church and
he even quotes Pope Leo XIII. in sup
port of his position
"The world used 10 believe in the d.
vine right OF kings" Father Ducey said
in one OF his sermons. To-day we have
n Observation-Disclosures Churchianity
to-day believes not much In kings but
II does believe in golden rule the rule
az gold IN the church as well as In the
State II tries to influence the work OF
God and secures the passage Of unjust
iaws-laws not for good or freedom or
liberty. but in the interests Of injustice.
oppression and wrong"
"Churchianity covers wealthy sin with
the mantle of gold. With Churchianity
money is king and the king can do no
wrong. The poor unfortunate criminal.
the creature OF wretched circumstances
Is avoided, despised and outcast, and the
depraved. malicious sinner Is honored
and received by Churchianity and So
ciety without any show on his part or
repentance"
A man who would dare 10 speak such
thoughts before a congregation largely
composed Of wealthy men and women de-
serves respectful attention and II Is not
strange that the archbishop. strongly
as he has disapproved Of his actions. has
RETAINED from making an example or
him. AS far as the public is aware this
clergyman's disobedience OF orders has
been practically disregarded.
For years Father Ducey has been one
OF the most popular men among al
classes OF people His congregation has
long been ono Of the most UNIQUE IN Nsw
York city as II has included persons OK
every phase OF religious belief anc un.
belief as all have admired the man ara
have been fascinated by the eioouencs
Of the orator whose mellow voice sou'"