The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-06-24
svRVANTS AGAINST PRIEST.
,,w ~ ST.. JOsEPH's CATHOLIC
d" rpURCH IN BRIDGEPORT.


~, Along with u Priest Temporarily Act
-. K.otor-A Row Results and the
-, n, suspended- Purchasers Angry
o.,,orpoRr. Conn, June 7s'-For nfteen
Kate Brady has been housekeeper for
49, Father Theodore ]. Ariens, the aged
1.,0r ~ 81. Joseph's German Catholic Church
ps.uolve vears she has had an assistant In
Matilda Fritz ,u.. o,.ar..
psrshioners now assert that MISS brady .
,...rss, In the business affairs oil the church
Nv. heon too active. II Is further declared mat
=" ,tss Fritz the housekeeper had an able and
as.assive adIutant. Father Aricns Is an old
and the dissatisfied parishioners say. that
Us been swayed by his servants.
r.o months ago, when Father Ariens decided
90 10 Europe, Father Albert Stroebele. q
~.ndscan father, came from Butler. N. j.. to
~ ,hs postorate temporarily. he was an In
~. a, the rectory for some time before Father
.,.rs sailed for Europe. The domestic man.
N..usnt Of the parochial residence did not suit
Ma IDEAS The pastor. II Is said. conhded TO
,ns vi.iting priest that he had to put up with
,o.ny things that he did not like: that he lacked
a.srtiyeness enough TO bring about desired
Ranges. Father stroebele. or Father Albert
"a ha Ia DprteT kuOWus ooyb thos tAsV b~
nm tho right TO amend the household arrange
,rspts. Thereupon. Father Albert declares
,hs women Of the household began a systematic
oourae Of persecution. II Is said that 1t was i'm
rossible for the new priest to obtain proper food
ana care OF his quarters. II Is also said that he
r.s subjected to innumerable petty annoy
AMOS Finally Father Albert appealed. priv
,,,y. to the trustees. Joseph Hee and John
Mary The trustees protested 10 the women.
Int matters grew worse instead OF better
Father Albert no longer went to the rectory for
bs meal, but took them outside at his c%onven-
ance He slept In the sacriSty Of the church'
he issied a written statement OF MS grievances
and a congregations mee'ins W" S"'Vu w
CUE a'l COMMITTEES consisting of Mr.. Wolf, John
Wethstcin, Charles Sauer and Carl Diehl was
,nnoin,ed to take action. II was decided by
Ibe congregational meeting TO make a formal
demand upon Miss Brady and Miss Fritz TO
cave This was done, but they refused, de-
dsring that they were responsible TO father
iriens alone and that they acknowiedReu
no authority ON tho part OF trustees or c9Ieres
cation. one OF the trustees went to Sherln
ppiSr Doolan. Jr., and asked him TO eyict the
women from the rectory; sherm poo,hn
intH.yiewed the wone and reported 10 me
trl,tees that there was a. decided, question
a, 10 he legality Of al forcible eviction. u not
icing p~erfactly clear whether the parish house
was maintained by the parish or by fa'hcr
Rr his time Miss Brady sent word to Father
,N4rt that there was "A letter from b'shop
iiefney awaiting him al the rectoty ana rid!
Inc letter contained a statement 70 the enect
nat Father Albert was not a qualified priest
had no right to say mass or administer any
chI-Ch rites, and was forthwith ordered 10
AGATE. The women said they knew these
ilirrs were in the letter because they hau
a. Their letter from the Bishop telling them 20
i,s sent Father Albert to Hartford with his
oredentials, signed by four or i've bshoIs,
and brought forth N, re Indignation IRON the
trustees, who wanted TO know u the blshop
intended TO transact business OF 81 Joseph
Church through the rectory chambermalds.
After Sheriff Doolan's visit Miss Brady Is
said TO have had a special policeman steep q,
The rectory to prevent the execution oil eject,
ment proceedings. Father. Albert Reported
this parishioners that In going INTO the rec,ory
liter something he had left there, he ioundla
POLICEMAN s3ns RsI;d asle sip, on y z .Sa1Ss T the co@mittee
appointed took the matter 10 hat,iorui Lne
members OF the committee were told that Blshop
Tierney was away, but that Father Donovan
the Bishops secretary. would act Tor nm.
The COMMITTEES represented that, as Father
Ariens was an old man and intended 70 resign
anyway after his return from Europe, !. WouIu
greatly please, the parish u amer tt ,ha oh huc
Then he would have the power To dismiss the
vexatious women and restore peace anu mar
mony in the congregation, Desides M. u was
T6DrRSAnTR0 VnAI NllCS uNhiO .hho,' 49,
AT IN, ,Joseph's the c~onRregations have been
much larger than ever before,
Father Donovan told the committee INA
there we're enough young priests already In the
diocese without bringing priests from other
States TO take the parishes, Moreover. he said
mat Father Albert would not be allowed 70
exercise his faculties any more; that a priest
would be sent to say mass at st. Josephs TO-
morrow and that the altar there would be tenn
porarily supplied until a permanent pastor
vas sent to take Father Ariens's place, which
would be done in a short time, just how rev
or many weeks he meant by a short m
Father Donovan did not say.
Ioners. with the exception Of two families. are
aid 10 have united in an agreement 70 remain
away from church until Father Ariens's house
hold is driven out Of the parochial, residence.
and that OF course, means until Father Ariens
himself is relieved. There are a great many OF
the parishioners, moreover, who say that they,
viii moi be satisfied with this, They wanted
Father Albert and feel bad because their wishes
we're not complied with at Hartford.