Omaha daily bee., 1906-02-12
BUILDING or VIEW CATHEDRAL
Matter called TO Attention of Cath
oIIcs by RIahop scanneII.


This letter from Bishop Scannell was
read in all the local Catholic churches
yesterday:
To the Clergy and Laity OF Omaha and
South Omaha-Dear Brethren: 1t is, doubt
less. well known to you that the work OF
building a cathedral for the diocese was
commenced early last summer. The founda-
lions have been laid and the base, or that
portion of the structure which reaches
from the ground level to the water table,
is now so far advanced that IL will require
only few more days to complete It, The
contracts for this work. with necessary in
cidental expenses, amount to the sum of
S37 Goa sum that may seem large at first,
but which will appear moderate enough
when we take into account the size OF the
structure and the solid character OF the
work. Those of you who have lately Wis
tied the building site must have been inn
pressed by the imposing outlines OF the
rising structure and will have no dithculty
in admitting that the money was well
spent. The work, even as it appears now.
will enable everyone to form good idea
of the beauty Of the finished cathedral and
to foresee that II will be an object q.
great interest not only to the people of
Omaha, but to every visitor to our city.
One point to be specially kept in view Is
that the style OF architecture to be fol-
lowed throughout will give us a cathedral
that will be perfect OF its kind, imposing
in appearance and far removed from the
commonplace; while, at the same time, Its
cost will be proportionately moderate. since
the style will not permit useless orna-
mentation.
The time has now arrived for considering
whether the work of building is to be con-
tinued without interruption and finished
within n reasonable time, or whether II IL
to he suspended for an indefinite period.
until some future generation shall take it
up and complete 1t. The question to be
considered is a question of funds.
Some months ago an appeal was made
to the congregations OF the diocese out
side Omaha and the response TO that appeal
was most prompt and most generous. In
deed. Il was so generous as TO occasion
surprise to the people of this city. Those
subscribers i'm the country gave from a
high motive and from a sense of duty nor
were they deferred from contributing by
the fact that MANY Of them would see the
cathedral but seldom and that some OF
them perhaps would never see Il at all.
auneal now to the people of Omaha
and South Omaha. This work has Epe-
c'al claim on their generous good VIII. To
them Il will be easy OF access. They VIII
visit Il frequently and especially on occa-
chair ard its cross on high will be for
them daily reminders of the authority and
OF the majesty Of the Church Of God.
During tho last two wears canvass of
this city was made by the Very Rev.
Father Jennette. That canvass. however.
sons were not seen at all. and many who
contributed then will, no doubt. he willing
ia contribute again. The Rev. Father
Walsh has kindly consented to resume this
the work February il. I appeal to YOU To
mae Father Walshs Extraordinarily q
dis-lg reeabla one-as easy and as pleasant
a possible And I also ask you TO remem-
Der that the amount of work to be done
on the cathedral this year will depend
on the amount of vour cash contributions
RICHARD SCANNELL,
Omaha, Feb. 8. 1905 Bishop OF Omaha.