The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1904-12-10
CITY OF DENVER.
Severe Denunciation of scandalous
Renorts in a Local Newspaper.

Reports in a Local Newspaper.
Ia Justice to Mr.. and Mrs Volney
NJ. Williamson Of the cathedral parish
who We're married in this city Nov g.
and defending his position in having
performed the ceremony which united
the two, Bishop \. c. Matz, head Of the
diocese OF Denver, published state
ment giving the facts in the case ana
had il read i'm all the churches on sun
day last.
one day last week local newspaper
printed a sensational article stating
at some length that when Mr.. William
son married Miss Cotter. who comes OF
an old and highly respected. Denver
family. the groom had a S'ife living IN
Spokane, Wash, from whom he was
divorced. The publication created d
scandal i'm the city and explanations on
the part of other newspapers could not
undo the cruel story. Bishop Matt
could not make his voice heard above
the tumult for he had been quoted III
the original story as having threat
ened the anathema of eXcommunlca-
ton" upon Mrs. Williamson, and, IN
fact upon every one who had partici-
pated in the service, including about
eight attendants who. it was said, had
connived at the base deception that
had been pTaciced upon the head OF
the diocese
1t was asserted that Williamson de-
liberately told a falsehood to Bishop
Matt and that his wife had been con-
scious of it. Press reports from Wash
ington the next day brought the news
that the first Mrs. Williamson is dead,
and that Williamson had not paid at
tentions TO the pretty Miss Cotter until
long after his divorced Wife.s demise.
Mr.. Williamson was a widower at the
time he became engaged TO the Denver
woman. and even IN the eyes Of the
Catholic church he was free TO marry
whom he wished. Death, the only dis
solution to the marriage bonds. had
severed him from the woman ne had
vowed to cherish and protec6 and 1t
was for him to plan his future.
The publication OF the story that
divorced wife was still living in Spo-
kane created a great scandal Persons
not understanding the circumstances
bat familiar with the fact that the
tenets of the Catholic church forbid the
marriage of a divorced person. were
loud I'm their denunciatiCn of the gross
deception to which they alleged Bishop
Matz had been made victim: but the
statement made public by him Sunday
sets at rest all further gossip. It fol-
lows:
Many of you. no doubt. have been
shocked by the sensational reports cir
culated in the press about my assisting
al the marriage Of Nolney Williamson
to Miss Mabel Cotter on the Sd of No
Vember last.
Two weeks after the marriage ru- |
rlors were circulated to the effect that
Mr. Williamson was d Divorce and had |
a wife living IN Spokane, Wash. In
my own defense. as well as that of /
Nr Williamson, I wrote last Sunday to /
the Rev. A. Nerhagen. pastor of Our /
Lady of Lourdes church. Washington, /
for information. On Wednesday last |
received a dispatch from this reverend /
gentleman. which says: Williamson /
secured Il divorce eight years ago; for |
mer wife is dead. Clark ca prominent |
Catholic of Spo1ane) says reputation Of |
Williamson excellent This telegram |
sets al rest forever the question Of di |
vorce even before 5he church, since it |
leaves Mr., Williamson free to marry |
from the moment his wife died.
If Miss Mabel Cotter had not been !
q Catholic. absolutely no notice would
have been taken of this marriage, eX-
cepting. perhaps, to congratulate her
for contracting such a union: but the
chance of stabbing the church and her
was too good 10 let pass; hence this
scandalous episode which brought the
blush of shame On thousands Of Cath
Olics throughout the state.
Il hope this viii be a lesson which
the Catholics Of Colorado win not so
soon forget. How ieplorable that our
generation should be cursed with such
scandalous publications, But who is to
blame for such a condition of things?
The public themselves. No one seems
to realize the infamy Of such fabrica-
lions until he becomes himself the vic
tim IF such venomous eXpectorations.
Let for once every man who pos
sesses spark of principle and self
respect turn his countenance against
such filthy publications and Danish
them from their homes 50 they may not
defile their firesides. and there viii be.
once for all, an end TO such scandalous
sensations.
Let, therefore. Catholics beware, and
not take for granted all they may read
in the sensational reports Of the press;
they win thus save themselves many
a hearth burning shame and be led TO
safeguard the reputation of others as
they would like to see their own repu-
tation safeguarded by their neighbors.
N. c. MATZ,
ttRiel,pr, Of Dn15x-p1. Colorado -