Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-02-06
Omaha's New Archbishop.

Omaha is the third great field of labor to
which Archbishop Harry has been called in the
vineyard OF the Lord. St Louis, where he worked
faithfully as priest for twenty-five years was
the first, His holy zeal for the glory OF God
and the salvation OF souls drew to his confess
sonal hosts of penitents. 1t is said of him that
he heard more confessions in those days than
any other priest in St Louis People from all
parts OF the city crowded round his confession
box, so that he had to hear them outside regular
hours. As a preacher he was magnetic. Not
only Catholics, but non-Catholics, eagerly came
in large numbers to hear his eloquent sermons on
the great truths OF faith. He was great organ.
lzer, an indomtable worker He organized and
built up the great model parish of St Leo's in
the city of St Louis, erecting school buildings
residence and church. His amiable qualities as
a priest endeared him to the faithful people OF
St Leo's and to this day they cherish the memory
and mourn the loss of their beloved pastor, Father
Harry. His zeal, his talents and his successful
administration of his charge attracted the atten-
ton and merited the endorsement OF his ecce-
sastical superiors. In 1908, when the holy father
was casting about for a man Of mind and ability
to adjust the church in the Philippines to its
altered conditions, he selected Father Harry for
the delicate and difficult task, and elevated him
to the high Office Of Archbishop Of Manila and
metropolitan of the Philippine Islands Pope
Plus X himself consecrated him at Rome on
August "a, 1908. Archbishop Harry took possess
sion OF his see on January 10, 1904.
At that time the Filipinos were at war with
this country, and it was ordinary undertaking
for an archbishop, who himself belonged to the
hated Americans, to win their hlial confidence and
love, so as to exercise benehcent rule over them
and reconcile, them to the American government.
But Archbishop Harry is great man and he
nobly rose to the level of the occasion. By his
broad and deep sympathy, by his kindness and
charity, by his unfaling tact, and by the splendid
poise OF his sterling character and great mind,
he mt nflxy fha afa and frt,cf nf he
Filipinos, but he kept and strengthened them in
their holy faith, and at the same time reconciled
them to American rule and occupation Of the
islands. And so great became their attachment
to. and veneration for Archbishop. Harry that
when the holy see, as reward and recognition
Of his great work, transferred him back to his
native land, to this important see Of Omaha, it
was with the greatest difficulty that the arch
bishop could tear himself away from them.
1t is written OF our Divine Lord and Master,
Jesus Christ that "He has done all things we'll"
Following faithfully in the footsteps of the Mas
ter, Archbishop Harry has done things-big
things-and he has done them all well. He won
the official approval of the holy see and the
esteem and confidence OF the American govern
ment by his great work in the Philippines. The
suspicious beginning he has already made in this
city is sure augury that he will make good in
Omaha. He will accomplish great things for this
diocese. By his kindly, democratic ways, his
mpartality and wise discernment he has already
attached to him the priests, religious and people
of his diocese and he has gained the esteem and
appreciation of our non-Catholic brethren. And
there is no doubt but that after very few years,
as the scope of his achievements develops before
our minds and we come to know better the estima-
BILE personality of our sanity archbishop he will
win place in the hearts Of his Omaha people
as secure, as sincere and as lasting as he has in
his former spiritual children of St. Louis and
Manila. The spirit Of Archbishop Harry is we'll
expressed in these words of the poet
II will go forth 'mongst men, not mailed in
scorn,
But clad i the armor of pure intent
Great duties are before me, and great aims;
And whether crowned or crownless, when l
...-.s fall, = - -. (.
No matter, So that Gods work Is done