The morning news., 1899-03-13
NAY CHANGE HIS RESIDENCE.
REPORTED THAT BISHOP BECKER
WILL REMOVE TO ATLANTA.

WouId Mean the Loss of the CathO-
lie See to Savnnnah-The Report
Generally Current Among Roman
CathoIics-Vicar General Kelley
states That He Has No InfOrma tiOn
From Bishop Becker on the Sub
ject-The Catholic Interests Here
Very Extensive-BishOp Becker Ill
In Atlanta.
A report has gained general circulation
during the last few days that the Right
Reverend Thomas A. Becker, bishop OF
the Roman Catholic diocese Of Savannah,
had removed his episcopal residence 70 At
lanta.
The report is being discussed with much
interest by the Catholics of the city with
various coHjectures as TO its truth or falls
ity. Several leading Catholics who were
appealed to on the subject stated that
they had the report on good authority, but
that they were not prepared to give their
authority.
There was a report OF this kind IN cir
culation two years ago. which proved to.
originated in the fact that Bishop Becker
has spent the last several months in At
lanta, having been called there TO super
intend extensive repairs TO the church
of the Immaculate Conception. and hav-
ing been detained there by a serious at
tack of illness.
Rev. Father B. j. Kelley, vicar general
of the diocese, was seen at the Cathedral
residence yesterday and asked in refer
ence to the report
II have heard it, said Father Kelley.
at seems to be IN general circulation, and
some of those who speak of 1t think they
have it on good authority. I have heard
nothing from Bishop Becker on the sub
jeet, however nor do know of anything
tending to confirm the report"
1t would be necessary for the bishop
10 obtain an order from Rome I'm order
90 change his see." said Father Kelley
This, however, could be easily done, If
he should desire it,
Bishop Becker has been in Atlanta since
last August" said Father Kelley. Gle
wes detained there by a serious spell OF
illness ana has also been giving his
attention to the affairs Of the Church of
the Immaculate Conception. He would
doubtless have been with us during the
Lenten services but for the fact that
Father Bazin of the Immaculate Coneep-
tion is assisting Rev. Father Mcmahon in
Augusta, which leaves only one priest In
charge of the work in Atlanta"
Rev. Father Kelley was for several
years in charge OF the work in Atlanta
and still has friendly feeling for that
city. When asked as to his views as TO
the advisabiiity of such a change, he said:
when ] resided In Atlanta l thought IL
very desirable that such change should
be made. Being now a resident of Savah,
tnah, l view the matter somewhat differ
6ntly, though entertain a very warm feel
ing for Atlanta and her people. Atlanta
is more accessible from all parts of the
state than Savannah. On the other hand
our work in Savannah is much larger
than in Atlanta. The Catholic population
Is much larger, and We have very extern
sive interests here. Besides, the Cathe-
dral and church buildings. we have the
convent, the orphans home, the hospital
and We home for the poor These things
weigh IN Savannah's favor for the reten-
ton of the see."
Father Kelley said that he did not think
the removal OF the bishops see to At
lata, should the report prove to be true
would affect In any way the rebuilding of
the Cathedral which work is now pro
crossing
"A committee of lay gentlemen" said
ne, "haye that matter in hand and are
managing it very successfully. The peo.
PIE of-Aavannah, of all classes, have been
very liberal in their donations and the
substantial evidence of their sympathy il
very much appreciated"
Fhe removal of the Catholic see 10 At
lahta would undoubtedly be a source of
regret to the large number of Catholics
mere as Wen as to the people of the CITY
generally Savannah has been the seat OF
the episcopal see since its establishment
ana this fact naturally gives the city con-
siderable prestige in Catholic circles. The
Cathoilc interests in Savannah being more
extensive than anywhere else IN the state
her people naturally feel that the bishon,s
resldsnce is properly located here.
A dispatch from the Morning News cor
respondent m Atlanta last night stated
that Bishop Becker arrived there vester-
uay' ana went Immediately to st. Josepb's
Ahnrmary and to bed. He could not he
seen last night and it was reported AT
the inilrmary that he was i'll The sisters
at ,he lnhrmary knew nothing of the re-
ported ehange, neither were they able 10
say where the bishop had been previo,ls
TO ms arrival there yesterday. His i'll
ness was said not 10 be serious.
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