New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-21
WOman's Sister Makes Aft
davit in Support of
Brothers Charge.
CLERGYMAN ONE OF
PITTSBURGH'S LEADERS
No Truth in Story Declare Both
of the Accused Persons
Church Record.
rBv telegraph to The Tribune. J


Pittsburgh. March 20-The Rev. Father
Miles NJ Sweeney, pastor OF St James,
Roman Catholic Church at Sewickley
was married on January Is TO Miss Mary
christina Moran. Of the North Side, ac-
cording TO a statement made to-day by
Daniel j. Moran, brother of the woman
Ia further corroboration Elizabeth Moran
a sister of the bride. made an afiidavit
to-day declaring that the Sewickley rec
tor married her sister at Weilsburg, W.
Va, on the date named.
Father Sweeney denied to-day that he
married Miss Moran. The woman also
declares there is no truth in tho story
According TO the records in the office
OF the marriage ERIK at Wellsburg a IL
cense was issued TO Michael NJ. Sweeney
thirtv-eight years old. of No 326 wal
nut street. Pittsburgh, on January y 20
wed Mary c. Moran. thirty-flve years
old. now residing at No. S64 Cass avenue
This city. The couple were married on the
same day, according TO the returns by the
Rev. Francis NJ Biddle Of the Christian
Church Of Wellsburg. A description OF
Michael NJ Sweeney and Miss Mary G.
Moran received here from the WellsburS
officials TALES closely with the priest and
the woman.
The first intimation Of the wedding was
given in a letter which was mailed 10
several newspapers by Daniel ]. Moran,
the brides brother The letter, In part
reads as follows:
Miss Tena Moran, of Pittsburgh, and
the Rev. Miles Michael Sweeney. of Sc
wickIey, Penn. pastor of the Roman
Catholic Church of Sewickley, went to
Wellsburg W. Va, on January q, 1914
and were married by a Christian minis
ter named Francis NJ. Biddle. and 1t was
kept a secret till this time. The Rev.
Miles Sweeney is still saying mass and
giving all the rites of the Catholic
Church at his parish in Sewickley, Penn.
The womans brother gives his address
as No. 1875 East State street, Hammond.
Ind.
Tho Rev. Mr.. Biddle, Of Wellsburg,
who performed the ceremony, said to-
day that his records showed that he Off
ciated at the wedding Of Michael NJ.
Sweeney and Miss Mary c. Moran on
January IS and that the ceremony was
witnessed by r. f. Moran and Frank
Moran, the brides brothers.
In her affidavit Miss Elizabeth Moran
says. in part
That the Miles VI. Sweeney. mentioned
in her brothers statement. is the Miles
Sweeney, pastor of the st. James Church.
of Sewickley: that he came to her home
10 visit her sister. Mary Christina Moran.
and in the presence OF this afhant and
her brothers he declared his intention OF
marrying the said Mary Christina Moran;
that on the 18th day Of January, 1914, the
said Mary Christina Moran and Miles NJ.
Sweeney. pastor of the St James Church,
of Sewickley. were married at Wellsburg,
w Va, BY the Rev. Robert NJ. Biddle in
the presence of her three brothers. kob-
ert f. Moran, f. r. Moran and b. j.
Moran"
1t is added in the affidavit that previous
TO the marriage, when Father Sweeney
appeared at the Moran home one even
ing, Miss Moran's brothers asked him
what his intentions were. and he asked
them what they wanted him TO do. Then
the affidavit continues as follows
Mary Christina Moran asked that she
and Father Sweeney be permitted to have
a few minutes alone together. This was
granted. At the end Of the interview her
brothers again asked what he intended TO
do. and Father Sweeney replied:
1--WE are going to be married
Thereupon. swears Miss Elizabeth
Moran in her affidavit, her brother said:
Remember. this does not mean only
marriage-you will keep her-there is no
monastery that will hold you"
The Rev. Miles Sweeney is one Of the
most prominent clergymen in this city.
For many years he was the first as
sistant TO the late Bishop Phelan. Of the
Pittsburgh diocese. Later he acted in the
same capacity for the present Bishop
Pegis CaneviD