The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-20
FATHER KELLEY TO BE BISHOP.
PRECoNIZED By THE POPE AT A
SECRET CONSISTORY.

Pope Leo XIu Gives His Formal
sanction to the NOmination-Fath-
er II eiIey Had Received No Infor-
nation on the Subject Last Night.
The Appointment One Which Gives
General satisfaction to the People
of Georgia and Especially of Sn-
vannah-Father KeiIey's Eminent
Fitness for the Position Generally
Recognized.
The appointment of Vicar General Ben
jamin J. Kelley as Bishop of Savannah is
70 longer a subject for rumor or suppose
ton. The long period Of waiting is at an
end and Father Kelley now is. or soon will
be- Bishop of the See of Savannah.
The news was conveyed in the following
dispatch received by the Morning News
respondent at Rome:
Rome, April l9.-The Pope held a secret
consistory to-day and preconized number
OF bishops, including Mgr. Donate Sbarret-
Il for Havaua Mgr. Kelley for Savannah,
and Mgr Bertrand Orth of Vancouver.
Father Kelley was called up over the tel
ephone and The information conveyed to
him. He did not appear to be either sur
prsed or elated over the announcement.
He simply said that he had had no infor-
nation whatever on the subject and was
unable TO express an opinion to the cor
RICHNESS of the dispatch. Father keileys
appointment had been announced 10 him
through so many sources during the last
few months probably that it has become
an old story with him. He will, of course,
not be in position to express himself on
ba ct1fai off ri 90 n "a is
ceived from Rome.
Coming as it does from a reliable source
and in confirmation Of previous state
ments, the correctness of the dispatch
hardly admits of question The statement
that the persons named have been precon-
lied by the Pope indicates that the nom
nations were made sometime since and
that the formal proclamation confirming
these appoin tments has been made in Sc
cret session and is shortly to be made
public. Monsignor Sbarretti arrived in Ha-
Vana some time ago as bishop OF that do
cese
1t will be remembered that nearly two
months ago the Rome correspondents Of
the Baltimore Sun and the Cincinnati
Post announced the appointment by Ire
Pope of Rev Bertrand Orth as Bishop Of
Vancouver and of Rev. b. J. Kelley as
Bishop of Savannah. The Asso dated
Press could obtain no confrma ton OF this
a
legate at Washington, but the impress
sion has been steadily growing since that
the announcement was based on something
more than rumor.
1t goes without saying that the official
act Of the holy father in this matter gives
great satisfaction TO the large Catholic
population of Savannah and OF Georgia as
well al to a host of friends and admirers
outside of this church who know Father
Kelley either personally or by reputation.
While other eminent prelates have been
mentioned for the position and would
doubtless have filed it with credit to them
selves and the church the people of Geor-
ga knew Father Kelley and, by the same
tdken, they knew that he was their prefer
ence above all others. In the years which
he had served among them he had en-
deared himself 10 them and they felt that
he was man who not only understood his
people, but all the conditions peculiar to
them and their section moral. religions
and political. They knew further that he
was well acquainted with the affairs CT
the diocese, having been long associated
with the deceased bishop and having talk
en- up his work Immediately upon his
death. 1t will be a source of qualification
TO the people of Georgia generally that a
man so well suited to the people and their
conditions has been given the spiritual
charge of the diocese
Tae discussion resulting from the fire.
quent rumors of Father Keiley's appoint
ment leaves but little further to say con-
corning him. A Nirginan by birth, he
served In the Army of Northern Virginia,
while quite a youth, and has ever remain
ed true to the principles which he then
espoused. He engaged in newspaper work
at Petersburg for a time after the war
but not finding this to his liking decided
10 devote his life to the church. His stud
les were chiefly under private tutors, but
his theological course was completed at
Rome. He was for a time at Newcastle
Del, bur was later associated with the
late Bishop Becker in the Wilmington, 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 transferr-
ed to the Savannah diocese, he brought
Father Kelley with him, pacing 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, 1886, Father Kelley was brought here
to assume the duties of vicar general
Since the death of Bishop Becker ne has
been in charge of the diocese as admin
istrator, in which capacity he has given
eminent satisfaction. 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 a great
hold upon the people of the city, Catholics
and non-Cathollcs. alike. and his appoint
ment to the vacant bishopric gives very
decided satisfaction.
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