The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-19
IN NO WAY RESPONSIBLE
RISHOP RADEMACHER BOWED DOWN
WITH DEBT OF OTHERS.
Father Byrne, OF Fort Wayne Cathed-
raj, Explains the Diocesan FL
nances-Other state News.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
FORT WAYNE, Ind, Jan. 1S-Rev.
Father Byrne, who has charge of the Fort
Wayne Cathedral. in an interview regarding
Bishop Rademacher's affairs, says the en-
tire debt is on the cathedral congregation,
for which Bishop Rademacher is in no way
responsible There is an incumbrance Of
10000 on Library Hail. a public building
adjacent to the cathedral, and which was
erected seventeen years ago, by Vicar Gen
eral Brammer, who died recently. and bal
ance of $4,000 due on cathedral improve
ments made two years ago. Aside from
these two items, which amount TO 100000,
the debts of the congregation are insignifi-
cant The statement concerning the bish-
ops debt to his parishioners, the reverend
gentleman says, is not true; that the bishop
never did a banking business, but whatever
moneys he has in trust are ready at. all
times to be paid. 1t has been the intention
for some time to refund all these sums, and
the bishop intended to return all of it next
week, as we'll as the borrowed money,
the rate Of interest he paid on the latter was
too high.
Father Battle, chancellor of the diocese,
stated this morning that whatever money
had been borrowed by the bishop was re-
ceved through regular borrowing channels,
and money held in trust was never applied
to diocesan or congregational purposes, but
was held subject to demand at any time.
This is true, at present, of all such moneys
in the diocesan treasury. He also stated
that, besides the cathedral square in this
city, there is valuable property elsewhere in
the diocese worth many times the total debt.
Very Rev. A. b. Ochtering, of MiShaWaka,
Ind, dean of the diocese and chief member
of the board of council, says the Episcopal
residence has at no time served as a bank,
neither have deposits been received there.
The bishop, after a recent meeting or the
board, was Frustrated and his mental fac
ulties affected. A peculiar state of affairs
has existed for several years, being the re-
suit, it is said of the management by Very
Rev. Brammer. rector of the cathedral now
deceased. improvements in the cathedral to
the extent of $4,000 were made, and there
was expended for the library 1858, COO This
is simply an incumbrance on the cathedral
property and does not concern the diocese
at large. Rev. Brammer, it is said, kept no
books and never made a statement of the
financial condition to his parishioners. Rev.
John H. Guendling, on being appointed to
succeed Rev. Brammer, refused to take
charge until he enabled to give the con-
SIegatiOn an account of its Indebtedness.
This precipitated a crisis and, on learning
of the debt of 100000, Bishop Rademacher
collapsed. 1t is not his debt, nor were
churches and schools built from the above
tary, now in California was first in error,
II is alleged. by assuming educational eX-
penseS of too many seminaries, contrary to
diocesan regulations There are no impor-
tunate depositors, simply creditors, fully
secured.
Late this afternoon DR.. Dinner an
nounced that the bishop was slightly i'm
proved. There are no new developments.