The Washington herald., 1909-03-12
PRIESTS CHIMERAS
BROUGHT TO LIGHT
Father Ebert Had Dreams
Of Great Wealth.
IS MENTALLY UNBALANCED
Noted AIienist Declares Clergyman
L. Suffering from Nervous DePres-
Brain Centers-Has Exaggerated
Ideas on Subject of Money.

moval last week in Baltimore OF Rev.
Casper P. Ebert from the pas:orate OF
St Katharine's Church. a story comes TO
Hight that is said TO be without precedent
in the annals Of the Catholic Church. re-
vealing great financial obligations In
CURED by a priest in the effort to accu-
mulate money through visionary projects.
An examination into the affairs of the
unfortunate man reveals the fact that he
is mentally unbalanced. and has been
committed to Mount Hope Retreat.
The priests Indebtedness amounts to
aso.OoO exclusive OF debt OF S2SOsO on
the church.
OfficiuI Statement.
Conflicting rumors followed Father e.
bert's removal Priests Of Baltimore and
this city were silent when asked for a
cause. The situation has finally been re-
vealed In an official statement from Car
dinal Gibbons, through Edgar H Cans,
or Baltimore. which states:
REV. Casper P. Ebert was removed
lLOIl EAdAlleA NnuAEn IC[aACC AAC
irregularly and without authority from
the cardinal issued a great number OF
obligations to banks and individuals
amounting 20 about $4,000. This is -ex-
elusive OF a legitimate debt Of about
$4,000 on the church. These obligations
were all signed by him as pastor OF ST.
hatharines Church.
-
were engaged were so visionary, so conf
dent was his expectation Of realizing
large sums Of money almost Immediately,
and such was his almost entire want Of
consciousness that he has done anything
seriously wrong that those who have been
examining into his affairs in behalf OF
the cardinal are convinced that in these
matters he is mentally unbalanced. He
is now In n sanatorium-'
Deepest Sympathy.
feature Of the situation that awakens
deepest sympathy for the unfortunate
clergyman IS the fact that ne seems 10
have no idea that he has been guilty of
improprlety The idea that there Is any
moral or legal wrong in what he has done
has not. It is said. occurred 10 him. He
stoutly maintained before his commit
ment to Mount Hope that If permitted. he
wolld soon have all the notes paid and
the debt Of the church discharged as
we'll It was his persistent adherence 70
this theory. in the face of his admission OF
overwhelming losses, that convinced those
in charge OF the case that he should be
committed TO a sanatorium
Only a few weeks before the cardinal
announced his removal was the real con-
dition of affairs disclosed. Bishop Corri-
gan first learned the facts through infor-
nation gathered from man who held
one Of Father Elberts notes, which had
not been paid and upon which the inter
est was overdue. Investigations revealed
the deplorable conditions. The cardinal
was acquainted with the facts, and
Father ElbeTt was sent for. He talked
nationally at first, but seemed not to
realize the seriousness of the situation
and begged to be let alone.
Goes 10 Mount Hope.
Then for the first time his real mental
condition was noticed, and it was decided
to commit him to Mount Hope DR..
Charles Hill. the noted alienist. who is
head physician at that sanatOrium. says
the priest is suffering from nervius de-
preston. and is also abnormal in certain
brain centers which causes him to lack
appreciation Of the value OF money.
Father Ebert IS far from a well man. -
DR.. Hill is quoted as saying, and while
he appears to be rational. his attitude IS
deceiving. To talk with him about his
projects would lead one to believe that
he had the utmost confidence in his fnan-
cial ventures and that he would recover
his losses in a short time
HE has exaggerated ideas on the sub
ject OF money, which is a form Of mental
disorder. This affection is mysterious
and Is seldom seen. The only case thai
can recall now is that Of Miss Caspari
She was a teacher and respected. bu;
she had delusions about what could bt
done with money, and her investments
involved her heavily"
Father Ebert is said 10 have led Ar
exemplary life. Aside from this wild de.
sire to accumulate money no suspicion OF
anything unbecoming IN a clergyman has
ever been connected with his name.
In the assumption OF Father Ebert.
debts the cardinal viii be backed by ths
clergy Of the diocese. Although not feel.
ing themselves legally bound 10 shoulder
the Indebtedness. nevertheless, for ths
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