Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-10-17
BARRED FROM CHURCH.

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"a matter that may become celebrated
case in the Protestant Episcopal Church
in America became public yesterday
when announcement was made that Bish-
Cd John Scarborough, of the Diocese
of New Jersey, had refused to approve
the call TO church within his juris-
diction of a clergyman married to a
woman who had obtained a divorce from
her first husband, also an Episcopal
clergyman. The case is that OF Rev.
George F. Kettell, formerly assistant
rector of Christ Church, Baltimore.
His wife was originally Miss Bessie
Broughton, of Pocomoke City, Md.
She married Rev. Clarence Frankel in
February, 1900, and six months later
they moved to Nebraska, where her hus-
band was missionary. Later she Sc
cured divorce in South Dakota on the
grounds of non-support, unfaithfulneSs
and cruelty. She then went back to
Pocomoke City, became acquainted with
Rev. Mr.. Kettell and the couple were
married on July 80 last by Rev. Charles
A. Hensel, vicar of Grace Church Chapel,
Baltimore. Shortly after this Mr.
Kettell resigned from Christ Church.
Christ Church, at Palmyra, n. j.,
about 10 miles from Philadelphia, offer
ed the rectorship to the young minister
on the recommendation of Bishop Scar
borough before the formers marriage.
Rev. Mr.. Kettrell accepted after inform
ing the vestry of the church that he had
married divorced woman, but when he
went to Trenton, N. j., to get the APP
prevail of the bishop, which is necessary
when a clergyman of the church goes
from one diocese to another, he encoun-
tered refusal. The disappointed rector
notified the vestrymen at Palmyra, VA
Gated the pulpit and accepted position
as instructor in the Episcopal Academy
in Philadelphia pending the settlement
of the controversy. The parishioners of
Christ Church took up the matter and
appealed to the bishop to reconsider his
decision, but this he would not do.
Meetings were held at the church and
the parishioners finally became divided,
majority of them, it is said, decided to
take the view of Bishop Scarborough.
Some of the more ardent supporters OF
Rev. Mr.. Kettrell want to take the mat
ter to the civil courts, and it is said this
will probably be done. When Mr.. Ket-
tell was seen regarding the matter he said;
Bishop Paret, of Baltimore, assured me
that my marriage was perfectly legal,
though he did advise me against it be-
cause of the gossip that would arise.
But, since it was right for me to do it,
why shonld that possibility deter me from
marrying the woman lovedP Bishop
Scarborough had this to say at Trenton
last night: Il do not care to go into any
newspaper discussion Of this case. |
have made my decision in the matter as
my duty as bishop prompts me,
and shall make no further move. do
not know what the other side proposes to
do. There is no other source of appeal
open to them unless they choose to go
to the civil courts, and hardly think
they will do that. | regret the situation
as it is. / know the young rector per-
sonally and recommended him to the
Palmyra church, but that was before he
married the divorced woman Asked
concerning Bishop Parets reported adj
mission that it was not against the law
of the church to marry the innocent party
of a divorce suit, the Bishop said: Il
fail to see how there can be any innocent
party to divorce. The divorce question
is the most grievous that the church has
to deal with. It's too bad when it reaches
even into the ranks of the Clergy. |
The law against divorce is the law OF
God, There can be no getting away |
from that, ] would not take a man who
had married divorced woman into the
diocese under any consideration. am
emphatically opposed to divorces no
matter what the prete1t for such ac-
tion.'"