Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-16
OCCASIONS SURPRISE
Marquise de Monsters Re-
nunciation of Catholic Faith.
VIEWS OF PRELATES
BISHOP SPALDING VIEWS IT AS
A MYSTERY.
The Waggaman Failure Believed to
Have Influenced the Action
Leading Topic Today.


Monsters. formerly Miss Mary Gwendoln
| Caldwell, had renounced the Catholic
faith stated in The Star yesterday,
came as a thunderbolt from a clear sky"
| as leading local Catholic expressed IL to-
| day.
Surprise expressed by all. Catholics
| and Protestants alike. and 1t is evident that
| the action of the marquse has created a
profound impression in both social and re-
| ligious circles.
| At the Catholic University of America,
| where prominent dignitaries of the church
assembled this morning to attend the fall
meeting of the trustees of that institution,
| the action of the woman who furnished the
| money which constituted the nucleus with
| which the university was established was
| the leading theme of discussion.
At Catholic University.
| This discussion was not, of course. for
| publication, but Rev. Father Dougherty,
secretary to Mgr. OConnell, rector of the
| university, when spoken to on the subject
| by Star reporter, remarked:
I'VE are surprised, greatly surprised, az
the action of the marquse. What else can
| be said at this timer
| 1t was stated that some of the prelates
were loath to believe the marquise had re-
nounced the Catholic faith stated in the
| dispatches, and that there must be mis-
| take somewhere. 1t was at first proposed TO
| cable to Rome for information, but the
proposition was abandoned.
Other Dignitaries Speak.
Bishop Spalding of Peoria. who is promi.
nentIy mentioned in Miss Caldwells state
ment of her renunciation of the Cathloic
faith and who is here in attendance at the
meeting of the trustees of the university,
when asked IL he could assign any reason
for bo Mo
piled that he could not. He said he knew
| her only as a good Catholic, and until the
| announcement was made had given no
| thought otherwise
"It is all a mystery to me-" he added.
One official Of the Catholic Church at
| tributed as q possible cause, taking the
| story to be correct, the notoriety which the
university gained by the failure of Thomas
| expected the university will suffer consid-
erabie financial loss.
1t is not believed at the university that
anything in the management of the institu-
tfon had Influenced the action of the mar
quise. 1t is stated that she has been In Ill
health for several years and this is given
by some as a possible cause for her action.
Board of Trustees.
The first session of the fall meeting of the
board of trustees of the university was held
today, beginning at 10 o'clock. Those in at
tendance were Cardinal Gibbons Arch
bishops Keane of Dubuque, Farley of New
York, Ryan of Philadelphia, Williams OF
Boston and Bishops Spalding of Peoria,
Macs of Covington, Foley of Detroit, Har-
kins of Providence, Mr.. Charles ]. Bona
parte of Baltimore and Mgr. o Connell, rec
tor of the university.
The statement that this meeting was
called specially to consider the Waggaman
matter was denied. While the affairs of the
institution in connection with the Wagga-
man failure will. it was stated, be the prin-
cipal matter considered, this meeting was
| arranged for last April, before Ii was sur
missed that Thomas b. Waggaman Woula
become a bankrupt
The fact that Mr.. Hamilton of the hrm OF
| Hamilton & Colbert, attorneys for the uni
yersity was present this morning and was
called before the trustees soon after the
session began, is taken as evidence that
the Waggaman matter was one or the nrst
| considered. and. as an official expressed II,
| 1.-The university will. of course, take steps
| to safeguard it's interests In the bankrupt
cy proceedings" Mr.. Hamilton had with
him mass of papers and books. which IL
| is believed contain financial statement or
the universty's transactions with the bank
rupt Mr.. Hamilton remained in the coun-
ell chamber with the trustees until re-
cess was taken for dinner this afternoon.
Question of accommodation.
A preliminary meeting of the trustees was
| held at the university last night which
was attended by Cardinal Gibbons. There
was a general informal discussion. 1t is
| said, of the action of the Marquise des
Monsters in severing her connection with
! the Catholic Church. Cardinal Gibbons de-
| clined to talk for publication and said ne
| had ecclesiastical confirmation OF the
| report.
Mgr Falconi. the papal delegate to the
| United States, stated that he had received
| no advices from Rome relating to the re-
| nunciation of the faith by the marquse
| The statement was also made at the lega-
! ton, in response to a question, that ex-
/ communication of the Marquise des Mon
stiers as convert from Professionalism
| would not be necessary, her renuncf1eion
of the faith being equivalent
Interesting Questions.
A delicate question has arisen In connec-
| ton with the matter. which may have to be
settled by the trustees at their present
| meeting. II is whether the name OF cald-
| well shall be separated from the univer-
| sity. The change of faith. 1t is claimed.
! has given the marquise the status OF a
! hereto. Divinity hall bears the name OF
| Caldwell as do two chairs which were en-
| dowed by Miss Caldwell with more than
| $4,000 each. 1T is stated. The chairs ia
| question are the Shakespeare Caidweh
| chair of dogrnatic theology and the Eliza
| beth Breckenridge Caldwell chair of phil
osophy.
| Attention has also been called to the fact
| that occupying conspicuous place on the
| wall of the main reception room of cald-
we'll Hall is large and costly oil painting
| of Miss Caldwell. by noted Italian artist.
| This painting hangs In close proximity to
/ a recently acquired oil painting OF the new
pcntiff.
Possible Influences.
While 1t was stated that these matters
will be discussed by the trustees. 1t could
not be learned what determination they
| will arrive at pending the receipt of official
confirmation of Miss Caldweli's renunca-
| ton.
In connection with the action of the Mar.
quise des Monsters in repudiating her
former creed. many statements and expIa-
nations of her course are being made. One
of these is that she may have been in
fuenced by the politics of France.
1t is stated that in publicly repudiatin6
her religion the marQuise has added an
other interesting chapter to a family his.
tory replete with romantic episodes.
"She has not only renounced the Catho-