The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-08
French Secession In
North Brookfeld
Seems Doomed.
THE BISHOP WILL ACT SOON.
Leaders and Followers May
Be Ex-communicated
From the Church.

North Brookfeld Sept. Proof of
the most conclusive kind is being found
every day to show that Rev. John Ber-
ger has no right here as pastor of the
French secessionists, that his position
Is untenable and that it is a matter of
but a short time when the defed au-
thority of the church of Rome will as
sert itself in a manner that will be
forever remembered by the people of
this vicinity, and particularly by the
leaders in the dissension.
While there are very few who do not
believe that at one time Priest Berger
was Roman Catholic clergyman in
good standing, there are also very few
who are not coming around to the
stand taken in The Spy Monday, to the
effect that the French people had TAX
en- themselves outside the church of
Rome.
First LiOpinion Publique comment
ing editerially on the situation, gave
identically the same version Of the
case as The Spy had given, and this
morning another Worcester paper
swung into line and gave reasons like
The Spy's to show why Rev John Ber-
ger was out of his position in his atti-
tude here
Even the French people who in their
first bursts of enthusiasm over the
great sensation, considered The Spy's
stand unfair are beginning to feel
themselves unsafe in the stand they
have taken, and are now wondering if
it is really true that they have been
01ln6d And t. .
reason to doubt and that, too, by a
scheme which looks clever on the out
side, but which in reality was full Of
flaws.
The decision of the French people to
keep Rev. John Berger Cor, as he is
known IN French, Rev Jean Berger)
mere and to build a church is already
becoming weakened and it is a strong
probability that there will not be any
masses celebrated by him next Sunday.
Even If there is the Developments of
this week will tend to materially de-
crease the attendance and at the best
the stay Of Priest Berger is destined 70
be a short one. Luckily for the French
people they have not yet signed a con-
Lfdct with this stranger whose exact
identity is becoming more and more
ike an open book, and as their society
was Incorporated under the laws of
Massa chusetts about two wears ago
Rev.xJ can Berger could hold them tn II
But the contract is not signed. nor Is
it likely to be, for with the deveIon-
ments of the past few days there are
more coming, and they will be of a.
startling nature. Today a great deal
or lght was thrown upon the subject
by Or. L. e. Dionne who was looked
upon as leader of the agitation when if
flrst started, nearly three years ago.
Yesterday the information was given in
1ne Spy that Rev. Jean Berger had a.
letter of recommendation from the
bishop of Cleveland. DIR. Dionne was
enc informant, and he states that what
ne has given out for publication in this
affair he is sure of and able to back
up.
It will be remembered that when
Bishop Beaver refused the secessionists
church that DR.. Dionne dropped out
OF the movement, saying he must as a.
Catholic obey his bishop. BY his action
he Incurred the dislike and even hat
RED OF some of his countrymen, by
whom he had been looked up to for adj
vice and guidance in the controversy
put who in the heat of their excitement
refused to abide by his counsel and re-
turn to st. Joseph's Church.
Today DR.. Dionne was visited by The
Spy reporter and another newspaper
man, and the following conversation
NcOh pace. wv III you tell us WHY Won
ceased to take an active part in the
French Catholic movement two years
ago." Yes; it was because | became
morally convinced that Rev Risbon
Beaven would do justice to the Frencb
people of North Brookfield Just as soon
as it would be possible for him to do
so,'
ibid you communicate your belief "a
the people at that time in that regard 20
Yes; but not my reasons for BELIEVING.
So for l had promised not to reveal the
source of my information, and for Other.
diplomatic reasons could not speak .
Did you suffer anything from ylul.
fellow for taking that at4i-
tude?" yes, u large number of thern
solemnly promised to employ me no
more, but man who volunteers at the
defence of a principle should be pro-
pared to accept the consequences. How
ever as you know, l had other friends
that ! can always depend upon, and |
have survived the strife"
"Have you met Rev. Jean Berger.
4 who now presumas to be the pastor of
1fthe French?" Yes, / had an inter-
view of about three hours with him"
"Did you see any of his letters and
recommendations. etc. 2" Eyes. I have
examined carefully all Of his creden-
tials.''
..what did you infer from them p,
43 ffInhI ne mas DesH connected with par
fishes in four different edioceses. nota-
bly, in st. Louis Church, in East Tole-
do, O., where the larger part of my
family have been living for 40 years.
lis he well recommended" "Up to
the fall of '96 he is recommended as a
most jealous priest but from that time
to the present date there is an inter-
ruption of zeal " hich is not accounted
for in any way and which in Sc is
quite significant. During that same in
terruption his name has been omitted in
the register of Catholic priests of the
5 United States"
7 fDo you believe him authorized IL
take charge of the French and say
mass hereY No assuredy no; for h
has confessed to me that he had nc
formal authorization, and, Furthermore
ne has no 'celebrete' from Bishop Bea
ven, and no priest can say mass in this
district without that"
AZ LIDO you believe that he said mass in
New York lately?" "de said mass in
kingston, N. Y, under temporary
celebrete, which l saw"
\ DC you believe that Rev. John Ber-
a.-a