The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-02-15
Giving the Reasons for His Reslgna-
ton of the Diocese of Superior:

Superior, Wis, Feb. 9th. 1913.
Rev. Dear Father:
BY letter dated February third, His
Excellency the Apostolic Delegate
informs me that my resignation as
Bishop of Superior has been accepted
by the Holy Father; at the same time
am appointed Administrator of the
Diocese of Superior, until some other
diocese has been assigned to me.
Since only the actual bishop of the
diocese is mentioned in the canon,
in the mass.
The ties that have united us for
several years, herewith are severed
Although this has been done at my
request, the severing of ties that
in spiritual sense have been most
sacred, and in human sense most
dear, afflict me with deep sorrow.
was not guided by motives of dissatis-
faction with the clergy or the people
in seeking to be relieved of my charge
as Bishop of Superior; if the decision
had lain with the sentiments l en-
tertained for clergy and people, moth
ing on earth could have reconciled
me to separation. There was not
at all times perfect agreement
between all the clergy or all the
people and me; this was beyond the
realm of possibility; but the differ
ences that did occur and must occur
in all human relations, even the most
intimate and loving, only served to
accentuate the many tokens of kind
ness and friendship OF which l was
the unworthy recipient. The reasons
that induced me to petition for a
relief partly affect the diocese, and
partly are of a personal nature.
feel that you as well as your people
are entitled to be acquainted with
them.
After having resided in Superior a
year, I could no longer escape the
conviction that the air of Lake Super
ior exercised deleterious action, not
in undermining my health, but in
AA4pOOAAS IAO C111CIOACy VI lily WOIh.
My faculties were benumbed and al
most paralyzed, all my efforts labored,
and in spite of all exertion, unsatis-
factory. There was only one alterna-
tive; either to reside in another city
of the diocese farther removed from
the lake or to resign. The latter
course seemed the only reasonable
one, in consideration of the needs
of the city as well as the Diocese of
Superior One who is not affected by
the lake air as I am, will be more
successful, and I also can do more
efficient work elsewhere My duty
was clear. l had for some time con-
templated resigning, and for the first
time carried that resolution into
effect about four years ago by breach
ing the subject to His Excellency, the
Apostolic Delegate. Not meeting with
encouragement, l determined to try
again under adverse circumstances
and do my duty to the best of my
ability. However owing to my dis
ability, some things that should have
things after being begun, remained
unfinished, and whilst endeavoring
to work, was not able to do justice
either to the work or to myself. Last
year l made a direct appeal to the
Holy See, petitioning the Holy See to
accept my resignation and permit me
to labor without episcopal jurisdic-
ton as a missionary in South Amer
lea among the Indians. I was ad-
vised by Rome to take a six months
vacation, and the prospect of another
diocese was held out to me. My
time belonging to the diocese,
thought could put my vacation to no
better use than in visiting Poland and
studying there the Polish language,