The Savannah morning news., 1900-12-30
TwENTY-sEvEN YEARS PRIEST.
bishop KeIIeY's Anniversary Of Or
dtnation.

dtnaftou.
written for the Savannah Newa)
Among the radiant observances OF the
century's close on the night OF Dec. 81. n
is believed that the celebration at 81.
Johns Cathedral in Savannah win eclipse
all others. no matter where commence
rated
II win be q unique event coincident
with the solemn rites that mark the pass
age OF io years from time 20 eternity.
the Bishop OF Savannah will observe
the twenty-seventh anniversary Of hts
own ordination as Roman Catholic
priest. which transpired at st. Peters Ca
thedral Richmond. Va. on Dec 81. iS72
Bishop Kelley was then but D years old
having been born az Petersburg Va. oct
49, 1871. notable feature OF this ordina-
ton Was the fact that ri Rev. Thomas
A. Becker u. D.. late Bishop q savan-
NAH who then ruled the Sec 81 Whining
ton. Del. ofnciated on the occasion. Lit
tle did the young levite who then re-
ceived the sacredotai junction imagine That
less than a generation later he would
grasp Bishop Becker's crozler az his sue
cessor tn the government OF this episco-
pol see Such are Times vlcissltudes.
There are nearly 100 members OF the
Roman Catholic hierarchy to-day In the
United States. hut among them al Bishop
Kelley IS probably the only pTelate who
VIII sing pontinoal mass al the midnight
hour Of Dec. 81, not simply in honor Of
the dying century, but as Thanksgiving
Offering 90 Almighty God that he has
reached his twenty-seveuth anniversary
IN the ministry. The event Is worthy o,
remembrance.
In this connection 81 may he well 70 add
that should tho primatial archdiocese OF
Baltimore. founded Nov. g. 1859. and which
originally embraced the Union, ever
again bee divided, it is certain that Savan-
nah viii become an archiepiscopal see.
with tho other blshoprics OF North Caro-
lima. South Carolina and Florida as suf-
fragans. SO A wcll-known pastor Of Bal
timore recently stated to the writer. II
Is true that Charleston. & c.. Is the Old
est suffragan sec now existing IN the Bal
gilmore Jurisdiction having been founded
IN iS10-but that fact. IL Is affirmed. does
not insure It's elevation 10 higher rank or
I dignity when the next division OF bishop
rlcs Is made by Rome.
Outside o. Baltimore itself. the Cathe-
Srai OF Savannah. Recently restored to
more than its pristine Iovelincss. far eX-
GELS that Of any other Southern see. and.
on this account. whenever the Pope deems
% expedient 10 create another archdiocese
la the South. IL h. almost certain that Sa-
vaunah will be the point selected The
province OF Baltimore was FIRST divided
IN 1871 by the creation OF a western prov
lnce at -. Louis. and since that time no
less than twelve other provinces have
been created at various points from Maine
so California By reason OF these divi-
sions and subdivisions. the Baltimore
province now includes only tho bishoprils
% Richmond. Va. Wheeling. W. Va.
Wilmington. Del. Savannah, Ca, Wil-
mington, n. g.. Charleston. $. c.. and ST
Augustine. Fla.
if the province should be further IL
vldcd by action OF the next Plenary Coun-
eli OF Balumore-whch will no doubt as
semble az an early date-ihe Indications
are that Savannah viii be raised from its
present rank as a diocese. or sunrsgan
see. to metropolitan dignity. This Is the
belief 81 many priests IN the Southern
states.
Il would surely he a proud consumma-
lion Of the honors showered upon the
Bishop OF Savannah since Dec. 81 isT3.
when he received the sacred chasuble. "
tho palilum or badge OF metropolitan
rank were TO be placed upon his shout
ders 81 last. Its years Of devotion In
She ministry, lowering already over n
quarter OF century. well entitle him to
this browning glory. He deserves Il.
Those who have Witnessed his deeds from
1873 until 1890 as levite. priest ana bishop.
would hail his uplifting TO the pinnacle
OF power with cantlcles OF Joy.