Evening star., 1901-05-01
PASTOR OF ST. PATRICKS
RUMORED CHANGE OF FATHER LEE
AND DIR. STAFFORD.
The Friends of the Latter, However,
Believe He VIII BE Father
GiOyd's Successor.

Before leaving Baltimore on his extended
European trip on May 0. the day after con-
ferring on Cardinal Martinelli the red
biretta, Cardinal Gibbons will appoint a
rector of st. Patrick's Catholic Church this
city, to succeed Rev. John Gloyd, who died
some weeks ago. The cardinal has given
much thought to this appointment. and he
has carefully considered all that has been
said by the friends of Rev. DIR. D. J. Staf-
ford, as well as the numerous communica-
tions he has received on the subject.
He has also discussed the matter Of the
appointment with his confidential advisers,
and 1t Is now said that he has fully made
up his mind on the matter. although it is
likely that the announcement of the ap-
pointment will not be made for a few days.
This announcement WILL it is believed, be a
surprise to many persons, even those In
clerical circles. as it will make vacant an
other important rectorShip in Washington,
which, however, will be filled at the same
time
The cardinals announcement, it is said,
will be-
Rector of st. Patrick's. Rev. Thomas Lee,
now rector of St. Matthew's
Rector of St Matthews. Rev. Dr. D. J..
Stafford, now acting pastor of st. Patrick's.
and who has been an assistant priest at
that church for some time.
This information was gained yesterday
highly reliable, and very close to Cardi-
nal Gibbons. This clergyman said: by
the above arrangement Cardinal Gibbons
will solve a very difficult problem in way
that will meet with the approval of the
priests of the diocese of Baltimore. BY the
appointment of Father Lee to st. PatrickS S
the cardinal will be placing at the head Of
one of the richest parishes in the diocese
a priest who has labored long and faith
fully and who will be acceptable to the
members of that congregation. BY this
appointment the cardinal will also be re-
leved of choosing between DIR. Stafford
and some other priest who would not be a s
acceptable as DIR. Stafford would be. The
appointment of DR.. Stafford to the rector
ship of St. Matthews will be regarded by
all familiar with the situation in that par
ish as an excellent one. 1t will take Just
such a man as DR.. Stafford is-young and
briiIlant-to cope with the financial situa-
tion of that parish. The objections which
would surely be raised in certain quarters
against his appointment to the rectorShip
of St Patricks-objections which would be
Justified by d strict construction of the
rules for the appointment of irremovable
rectors-Would have no place in his ap-
polntment to the rectOrShip of St. Mat
thew's. All agree that the situation at ST
Matthews is unusual. and If by the ap-
pointment of DIR. Stafford to that church
the financial burden can in any way be
lightened it will be hailed with 10y by
every priest in the diocese"
What Father Staford's Friends Say.
As against the above it may be said that
the friends of Father Stafford are conf
dent that he will be appointed pastor of St.
Patrick's Church. They point to the fact
that he has been made administrator Of the
parish pending the nomination of a pastor
and that if it had been the cardinals in
tenton to select some other priest the tenn
porary administration of affairs would not
have been intrusted to DIR. Stafford. 1t Is
further alleged that DR.. Stafford already
mas his appointment as pastor, but cannot
make II public because that duty devolves
upon the cardinal, who will not make the
announcement until just before he sails for
Europe next week.
1t is also asserted that the pastor of St
Matthew's Church is irremovable and
that Dr Lee has positively declined to
agree to the transfer, although 1t has been
urged upon him as being in every way de-
sirable for the best interests of the Cath
Ole Church in this city.
1t has also been rumored that Father
Ihomas formerly assistant pastor of St
Patrlck's Church here, but now stationed
IN Baltimore, would be returned as Father
Gloyds successor, but 1t is said that his
choice Is to remain in his present position
There have probably been more rumors
in regard TO St Patrick's pastorate than
about any clerical vacancy that has oc-
CURED here in many years, but the only
thing definitely known is that the cardinal
will make the announcement before he
goes abroad.