The Washington herald., 1908-07-12
BISHOP CURTIS DIES
Vicar General of Baltimore
Passes Away.
DEATH AFFECTS CARDINAL
PreIate Expresses Deep Sorrow at
Calling Away of His CO-labOrer.
Funeral 10 BE Held Tuesday Morn
inG-His Eminencc 20 OffIciRte.
Large Attendance Expected.

Baltimore. July u.-Blshop Alfred A.
Curtis. formerly head of the diocese Of
Wilmington, Del. and for the last twelve
years vicar general Of Baltimore. died at
St Agnes Sanitarium at S:45 o'clock this
morning.
The bishop had been suffering for some
time with cancer Of the stomach. He
passed away this morning very peacefully.
having received all the rites of the
church.
Cardinal Gibbons was deeply oppressed
when seen this morning. He was much
attached TO the bishop. and his voice
broke when speaking OF him. lie said:
Bishop Curtis was a man Of God. He
was blessing 20 this house and bless
ing to the archdiocese. He was a thor
oughly good man. and one who possessed
the finest qualities I could with diff
Guilty find words TO express how much
thought Of him. He gave up his life with
more than resignation. for be recognized
that II was impossible for him 10 live,
and he disliked to feel that he was a
care to those who waited upon him. He
was dear 20 us all
The cardinal will celebrate a pontifical
requiem mass over the body In the Ca
thedral on Tuesday morning, at 10 o'clock.
and the sermon viii be preached by
Bishop Donahue, OF Wheeling, w. Va 1t
is supposed that there will be a very
large attendance Of the clergy and laity,
as the bishop had many friends here and
IN other places.
VIII Be Taken TO Wilmington.
After the mass the body will be taken
TO Wilmington. Del. where viii also be
services. In accordance with the bishops
request burial will take place in the
graveyard Of the Convent Of the Sisters
or the Visitation. at Wilmington.
Bishop Alfred Allen Curtis was born IN
Somerset County, Md. on July T. 1891
and received his early education in
the county schools. He was a member
OF the Episcopal Church. and was or
daincd deacon in 1856.
Ills first position was that of assistant
rector of ST. Lukes Episcopal Church in
Baltimore. and a little later he became
rector Of the church at Chestertown.
Eventually he was called 10 Mount Cal
vary. Baltimore. where, with his zeal in
church work and his interesting sermons.
he became a great favorite. He was at
Mount Calvary for nine years.
There were rumors that he had become
deeply interested in the teachings Of the
Roman Catholic Church. and when he
suddenly resigned his charge II was gen
orally taken for granted that he intended
20 adopt that faith.
England Was Astir.
At that time England was astir with
the Newman movement, and thither Mr..
Curtis repaired Cardinal Manning was
then the Catholic archbishop Of West
minister, and Mr.. Curtis was advised by
him as 10 what course he should pursue.
After deliberation. he was received into
the Roman Catholic Church on April IS.
7s72 by the late Cardinal John Henry
Newman, who was then only q bishop.
Mr.. Curtis returned 70 the United States
md entered as a student st. Mary's Sem
mary, and was ordained 70 the priest
hood on December is. 1874. For a while
he was stationed at the Baltimore Cathe-
dral. but on November IS. 1856. was con-
secrated bishop Of Wilmington. Del. He
filed his duties until 1896. when he wrote
10 Rome asking permission OF the Pope
10 resign, as he preferred a less con-
epicuous station. This permission was
granted dua ll 1870 re ocCalho vicar Ben
eral Of Baltimore.
The bishop had much TO do in connec-
tion with his Office. but his life was ex-
tremeIy retired. His circle Of friends was
not numerous. but those who knew him
We're greatly attached 20 him. SO Sc
cluded was he that he was rarely seen
except at meals, and yet he had his
pleasures one Of which was angling.
At one time he made II a habit tc
spend part OF his winters in Florida
where he enjoyed the outdoor life. the
fishing, and the walking II he had lived
70 November. 1911. he would have cele-
brated his twenty-ffth anniversary as
bishop. but IL would have passed very
quietly, as he was averse TO honors and
show.