The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-06-17
CARE OF SOLDIERS
GIVEN TO O'HERN
Capital Priest Is Entrusted
: With High Mission.
NAMED BY CARDINAL GIBBONS
} Represents Catholic Church Of
America In New Duties.
fcontinued dom Fir,t Page.l

NCOnLlnueQ from
not only with leaders of state, but
also with the highest churchmen OF
the Episcopalian, Methodist, and other
prominent denominations.
The news OF the appointment came
a. a complete surprise to Father
O'Hern's colleagues at Catholic Uni
versity. The Rev. DR.. Pace, in the sb-
sence from town of the rector and
vice rector Of the university, said
nothing had been known there regard
ing the appointment At Fort Myer,
where Father O'Hern is known as
''the soldiers friend" surprise and
qualification were expressed. 1t is
probable that no one, except the three
cardinals and the members Of the
hierarchy who met in annual conven-
tion a few weeks ago, was aware even
that the move had been contemplated.
Cardinal Gibbons Letter.
The text of Cardinal Gibbons com
munication follows:
Ny Dear Father o'Hern-It gives
me pleasure to make known to you,
in connection with the establishment
OF the national commission for safe
guarding the morals OF the soldiers,
that you are accredited by the Ameri-
eaa hierarchy as its official repre-
sentative in all that pertains to the
spiritual care Of the Catholic soldiers
in the national army, the provision
of halls for services and all similar
matters calling for relations with
the national Government.
Being already the official represen-
tative of the American hierarchy for
the appointment of chaplains, and
thus in daily communication with the
national Government, your opportuni-
ties for rendering aid in the great
emergency that is now upon US are
large indeed.
pray God that He may bless all.
your devoted efforts for the spirit
ual welfare of thousands of Catholic
young men who will soon be called
to protect the gravest interests and
10 sustain the honor OF their beloved
country.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
JAMES CARDINAL GIBBONS.
Has Done Important Work.
The Rev. Lewis J. O'Hern, C. S. P,
was ordained in 1908 and for seven
years was associated with the Paulist
Mission at Winchester, Tenn, preach
ing through the South. His superiors
then sent him TO Rome TO continue
special studies at the great colleges
there. Receiving the degrees of doc
tor OF divinity and doctor OF canon
law, Father O'Hern returned to
America in 1912 and was appointed
professor Of dogmatic theology and
canon law at the Catholic University
OF America. To his duties at the uni
varsity were added those of repre-
sentative OF the hierarchy in appoint
ing army and navy chapIRins.
During the last few. years Father
O'Hern's work has consisted Of teach
ing at the Catholic University, lee
turing to classes in the Apostolic Mis-
sion House, directing the work Of the
army and navy chaplains, writing for
the press, and on important occasions
preaching in large cities OF the United
States.
Three brothers Of Father O'Hern
are also priests and have attained
regulations as orators and mission
AIRY workers. A NTH brother is Major
Z. P. O'Hern, U. S. A, prominent in
army circles and noted as a writer
and an authority on technical mill
tary affairs.