The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-08-21
Report Of Great Interest in
Catholic Circles.
HEAD OF THE JOsEPHlTES
Created Much Comment BY His Views
on the Negro-Was Once Stationed
Here and is Very Well
Known.

Ii Rumors a1oat in Catholic circles are to
the effect that interesting and decidedly
important developments are brewing in
one of the best known orders Of the
church In America. The early future, 1t
is whispered, will bring forth nothing less
than the resignation and permanent de-
parture from this country ofS the widely
known head Of the Josephites the election
of a new superior-general and the release
Of the priests from their obligations to
the order, permitting them to leave It
or to remain, as they may elect.
1t was impossible yesterday to receive
in this city any positive confirmation or
denial of the statements going the rounds
One of the local Catholic clergymen was
seen, but he could say nothing author
itatively. He admitted that he had heard
the rumors, but thought that matters had
not yet assumed a definite shape. One Of
tho Jnsephite priests here was out of tho
city. and COMMUNICATION with the other
could not bc had. FIe was away from
horne at the time. and q message did not
reach him.
Father SIattery the Head.
At the present time tho head Of the
Josephite Order, which covers Virginia
and large portion Of the South, is tho
Rev. Father John r. slattery, Of Balt1-
more, and 1t Is to him that the rumors
chiefly relate. Various circumstances
point to the fact that he will resign very
shortly and leave the United States.
where, as Will be easily recalled, he got
into hot water some time ago by certain
utterances In connection with the negro
question. Even the date for the election
Of a successor has been named Tho
r,lmor Is thus not general In its nature,
but particular.
TIE history of Father Slattery leading
up to his expected resignation Is intl-
mntely bound up with the order Of which
ho Is tho head. He Is by birth an Eng
llshman, coming from a wealthy and we'll
known family. In England there exists
what Is known as the Millhill Order, at
the head of which was the late Cardinal
Vaughan, and from this order sprang
the Josephite In Amerlcn. 1t Is an order
Of the Roman Catholic priesthood, devot-
ed to the conversion OF the negroes. It
was founded In this country about twelve
yenrs ago, and by Father slattery, who
became superior general. the ofllco he
now fills,
10 whom Father satterys resignu-
tion viii be prasented-the Pope or the
Cardinal, the head OF the Church in
America-is also not known, but both the
Cardinal and Father slnttery arc now
In Italy. Some time ago Father slat-
terry and the Rev. Father Thomas B.
Donovan, formerly OF this city. n proml-
nent member Of the order, left for Rome
with the intention, It Is said, of laying
tho matter before Pope Leo, But the
Pope became sick and died, and avery
thing was held up Father Slatery Is
now In Geneva, and to this place Cardinal
Gibbons has recently gone, 1T Is said
that tho resignation will now come very
shortly, and that the election or appoint
ment of a successor VIII occur on the
10th day OF September,
Until very recently 1t was surmised
that the new superior would he Father
Donovan, but the latest report Is to the
effect that this will not be the case.
Some priest outside OF tho Josephte Or
der will be chosen.
Will be Released.
It Is further stated that when the res-
ignation Is presented and tho election oc-
Continued on Second paee,)