The Irish standard., 1910-06-25
BISHOP WEHR[E
IS Formally Placed in Charge of
Diocese of Bismarck by Arch
bishop Ireland.
Governor Burke Welcomes the New
Prelate in Behalf of the
State.


At a banquet held at Bismarck, n.
D., in honor of Ri. Rev. Vincent
Wehrle, newly appointed bishop of that
diocese, a notable gathering of prom
inent churchmen and laymen assem-
bled to congratulate the new bishop
on his induction into office. Hon. John
Carmody was toastmaster. The speak,
ers were Archbishop Ireland, Governor
Burke and Judge Ellsworth. Cover
nor Burke spoke at some length of the
work of the Church in North Dakota
and warmly welcomed the new bishop
on behalf of the state. Bishop Wehrle
responded to the address of welcome.
He said he did not consider the re-
ception a personal demonstration for
him but rather a mark of respect for
the Catholic Church and in behalf IF
the Church he extended his sincerest
thanks to the people for the good will
they had shown. Judge Ellsworth
pointed out the need for religion in the
state. He said it was not the repre-
sentatives of law but the representa-
tives of religion that were the pio-
'neers of Christianity. Archbishop Ire
land closed the program Of speeches by
an eloquent address in which he re-
viewed the history of the church in
North Dakota and congratulated the
new bishop on the spirit in which his
people received him.
The installation ceremony took place
on the following day. The church was
beautifully decorated for the impress
sive ceremony by the sisters. Two
thrones were erected, one on the right
of. the altar for the Archbishop and
one on the left for Bishop Wehrle.
The Papal Bull creating the diocese
of Bismarck was read by Rev. Father
O'Driscol after which followed the in
stallation ceremony. The officers of
the mass and ceremonial were: Rev.
l.
brant; Rev. FIR. Francis Gerschwyer
deacon; Rev. FIR. O'Sullivan, sub-dea
con; master of ceremonies, Rev.
Fathers Vincent of Richardton and
Benedict Schmitt, of Bismarck; chap
lains to the archbishop, Rev. FIR.
Schardt, of Hague, Rev. FIR Hem, of
Glen Uulin; chaplains of the bishop,
Rev. FIR. Decker, of Hague, Rev. Father
Alois Strige, of Strassburg presbyter
not; mitre bearer, Rev. FIR. Thos. Des-
chauer; crozier bearer, Rev. FIR
O'Neill. The offices Of the acolytes and
thurifers were filed by the altar boys
of st. Marys.
The sermon was preached by Arch
bishop Ireland. After having traced
the Apostolic succession from the
commission of the Savior to the pres
ent time he turned to Bishop Wehrle
and said: I'm the name of the holy
Church present to you this t1ald: these
devoted priests; this earnest and en-
thusiastic people. Much has been done
and the life and work of the late bis
hop of Fargo, John Stanley, stood for
much in the development of the do
cese which has now been divided and
this part of the territory devoted to
your charge. This field present to
you in full confidence of the outcome"
Turning to the people he said: II
present to you your bishop, asking
you to be with him in all things that
he may lead you in all good ways"
Since his installation Bishop
Wehrle has announced the following
appointments and changes in his do
cese: Rev. Otto Wolhers of Mandan
goes to the parish of Beach; Rev.
Charles Hielmeier formerly of Beach,
goes to the country south of his for
mer locality and will be made resi-
dent priest at Bowman; Rev. FIR. Hit
ner of Mt. Carmel is transferred to
Bismarck and made vicar general of
the Bismarck diocese, and Rev. FIR.
Clemens of Bismarck goes across the
river to Mandan. The changes will
be made Immediately. Bishop Wehrle
will not take up his permanent resi-
dence in Bismarck until about Oct. /.