The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-26
is FATHER KELLEY A BISHOP?
4 ROUNDABOUT REPORT FROM
ROME TO THE EFFECT THAT
HE IS.

The Rome Correspondent of the Gin
cinnati Post Announces His Con-
Grmation by the Pope 10 Succeed
the Late bishop Beeker-Tele-
grams of CongratuIation Received
Here Yesterday, hut Nothing Def
mite Is known-Father Kelley Is
Vow i'm New YOrk-His Appoint
ment WOald Give Eminent Salts
faction.
Has Rev. Benjamin ]. Kelley been APP
pointed bishop of Savannah? is the ques-
ton which is sgitating the minds of Ro-
man Catholics of Savannah and the state.
A report, coming by way of Cincinnati,
from the correspondent at Rome of the
Post of that city, is TO the effect that
Pope Leo has confirmed Rev. Father
Kelley, vicar general of the diocese of
Savannah. as bishop. to succeed the late
Bishop Becker. The same report an
nounces that Father Orth has been con-
iirmed Bishop of Vancouver.
dispatch from the Cincinnati Post TO
this effect was published in yesterdays
Atlanta Constitution AS a result tele-
grams were received in the city during
the day from friends of Father Kelley
in Atlanta. congratulating him upon his
appointment. Father Kelley being aD-
sent in New YofN. where he has been de-
tanned for some time by an attack of the
grip, the kilograms were opened by Rev.
r. F. Kennedy, assistant pastor at the
Cathedral who is in charge during Faith
err Keiley's absence.
Father Kennedy was somewhat surpris-
ed at the contents of the kilograms, having
received no information from any other
source at to the appointment of Father
Kelley. He was in some doubt whether
to take the matter seriously, but conclud-
ed that the kilograms were the result of
a rumor ahoat in Atlanta similar to the
one which recently resulted in the send
ing out from Washington of a dispatch
announcing the appointment of Rev. Fa-
Their Thomas of the Baltimore Cathedral
to the Savannah bishopric.
Father Kelley Is now in Brooklyn
where he has been detained by an attack
of the grip said Father Kennedy, when
seen at the bishops residence. Il receiv-
ed letter from him Tuesday, but it con-
tanned no mention of the bishopric, nor did
he say. when he would return to Savan-
nah. have no information whatever upon
which TO base an opinion whether or not
the report is authentic. Had the appoint
ment been officially announced the infor-
nation would almost certainly have been
received here"
Where there is so much smoke there
must be some fire." said Father Kennedy.
The probability is that action has been
taken in the matter and that we shall
hear something definite shortly"
II is more than likely that had Father
Kelley been notified of his appointment
that he would at once have conveyed he
information to his friends here. The fact
that no such information has been received
gives reason to doubt the authenticity OF
the report An effort was made by the
Morning News to obtain information on
the subject through the Associated Press
at Washington. A reply was received late
last night stating that the only source Of
information there was the papal legate's
residence. and that no one of the legate's
household could be seen.
The confirmation of this report will give
great pleasure to Father Keiley's host of
friends in Savannah and throughout the
state These include not only Catholics,
but scores of Protestants, who admire
and esteem him for his genial personality
as well as his broad-minded cathO lefty.
That he is eminently htted for the position
does not need to be repeated. A Nir-
gilman by birth, he served in the Army of
Northern Virginia while quite a youth,
and has ever remained true to the princi-
pies which he then espoused. He en-
gagged in newspaper work at Petersburg
for time after the war, but not
finding this to his liking decide
to devote his life to the church. His
studies were chiefly under private tutors,
but his theological course was completed
at Rome. He was for time at Newcas-
tie Del, but was later associated with
the late Bishop Becker in the Whining
ton, n. c., diocese. The two became warm
and intimate friends, and remained so
until the death of Bishop Becker nearly
a year ago. When Bishop Becker was
transferred to the Savannah diocese, he
brought Father Kelley with him, plac-
ing him in charge of the church of the
Immaculate Conception in Atlanta where
he remained for several years.
Upon the death of Very Rev. Edward
Cafferty vicar general of the diocese, in
May, 1885, Father Kelley was brought
here to assume the duties of vicar gener-
al Since the death of Bishop Becker he
has been in charge of the diocese as ad
ministrator, in which capacity he has
given eminent satisfaction to the mem
hers of the diocese. Father Kelley was
very popular with the people Of Atlanta,
by whom he is held in high esteem. Since
coming to Savannah he has gained
great bold upon the people of the city.
Catholics ard non-Ca holes alike, ard his
apo ntment to the vacant blshopric would
give very decided satisfaction.
-SS
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