Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-28

| THE {
Bishop of Richmond August 18th. 1878.
His reputation in Europe and America
a pulpit orator is well established, and
! in the former place his sermons in
French. which language he speaks as flu
emily his native tongue, have made
him famous. His oration on O'Connell,
delivered during his recent residence in
Rome, on the occasion of the centenary
Of that leader, was published in thousands
Of papers and pronounced by the leading
| papers Of England as a masterpiece.
/ AS priest in Washington he founded
| the Carroll Institute for the young men
| Of that city, which is now very strong
| organization; also the Tabernacle Society,
| which includes in its membership much
of the wealth and culture of Washington.
| So popular were his Lenten discourses
| which We're delivered every Sunday night
| during the Jenten season, that the capa-
| city of tho cathedral was tried to the
utmost by the crowds who came to hear
| him.
The Catholic University.
When the Council of Baltimore con-
| cluded to advance the establishment of
| the late Catholic University Of America,
| to Bishop Keane was entrusted the task
| Of developing the idea and preparing and
1 executing the plans, and in 1888 Pope Leo
| honored him by making him the rector
of the University. which position he filled
with utmost acceptability for nine years.
| when he was called to Rome, where he
received marks Of the greatest considera-
ton from the Pope In 1899 he returned
to America to work for the endowment
| of the University, and on July "A, 1910,
| he was named to succeed to the See of
! Dubuque as the Archbishop. Accordingly.
| the pallium was conferred on him April
| II. 1901, and since then his name has been
prominently mentioned as a probable sue
cessor to Archbishop Corrlgan. and II
has been predicted that His Grace will
some day be made a cardinal Of the
Roman Church.
The Present Bishop.
Right Rev. Augustine Van de Vyver,
the present Bishop of Richmond, is one or
the most beloved men alike by the laity
and clergy that have filled the hishopr'c
of Virginia. In the early days of his
priesthood. leaving friends and relatives
in his native country-Belglum-ne volu1.-
| teered his services to the missions in
Virginia, and he has by his kindly dis
position and generous manner. drawn
himself closer and closer to the hearts of
his people Soon after the removal of
Bishop keane, when the tidings came
that his successor would be Father Van
de Nyver. there was genuine pleasure
throughout Catholic circles in Virginia.
Not only is the present Bishop a most
learned man. being the master of several
langua ges, but he also possesses marked
executive ability and in no more capable
hands could be placed the responsible
task Of completing the new cathedral
Bishop Van de Vyver is a Belgian by
r too f~Ny,
which place he Immediately came to
Virginia He has devoted his life to ad-
ministering to the Catholics here. Re
Gently the Bishop was called to his old
home in Haaslioncll by the illness of his
brother. who died a few weeks ago. and
the whole congregation united in offer
ing their sympathy to their beloved Bis
hop.
Many schools and churches have been
erected during Bishop Van de Vyver's
episcopacy, and the Virginia church is
now in a most fourishing condition.
A fire at the cathedral several years
ago, caused considerable damage, chiefly
the destruction of the beautiful frescolnS
back of the Blessed Virgins altar, which
has now been replaced by representa-
ton OF the GrCtto Of LourdeS
Sent Forth Notable Men.
ST. Peters cathedral has the distinction
prelates of the Roman Catholic ChurcS
than any other one church in America.
Among them may be cited Cardinal Glib
bons. now of Baltimore, the late Arch
bishop Janssens. of New Orleans. whose
memory is still Cherished throughout the
State; Right Rev Bishop Kelley, of Sa-
vannah, Ca: who was consecrated here
two years ago; Archbishop keane, of
Dubuque, Iowa: Archbishop j. ]. Neane,
! now of ST Louis; the late Bishop Becker.
of Wilmington Del; DR.. O'Connell, who
| is at the head of the American College at
| Rome besides others who have at some
time given their energy and time to
| the parish OF old st. Peters. The names
Of Father Tearney. Frioli. Cutler. Han
| ley. Charles Donohue, O'Brien, Bowler.
Waters. and Magri will ever be assoclat-
ed with ST. Peters.
Within its walls have occurred mar
riages and funerals of many noted people.
| Here Miss Pearl Tyler, the daughter of
President John Tyler, was married to
Mr. William E. Ellis, and from this
church was buried Mrs. Tyler, the widow
of the President. Here the Count or
Paris and the young Duke Of Orleans
worshipped during their visit to the city
about nine years ago, and here was
solemn requiem mass chanted over the
body of the late John Pope. whose gen
erosity, to the orphans of the parish
was well known. The funeral service or
Hon. John Warfield Johnston. the dist1n-
suished father Of DR.. George Ben John
ston, was held in the cathedral.
lust what changes will be made in the
limitations of the parish. when the new
cathedral is completed, have not been an
aounced but one thing is evident, that
Did st. Peters will continue to stand as
q connecting link between the early his
tory Of the church in Virginia and thar
= = LUCY CLAIR ATKINSON.