Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-11-22
FRIENDS EXPECTED
K|NSMAN'S ACTION
Say Former Episcopal Bishop
Had Catholic Leanings in
Recent Times
PRELATE IN RETIREMENT

Close associates of former Bishop
frederick j.. Kinsman, of the Episcopal
diocese of+Delaware, expressed scant
surprise today at the news that he is
about to enter st. Mary's Seminary,
priesthood.
1t is understood in Catholic circles
IN Philadelphia that Bishop Kinsman
already is living in Baltimore. and that
arrangements have been completed for
MS entrance at the seminary. The Rev.
Edward Dyer, prefect of the seminary
said today, however, that Doctor Kins
man is not there at present, and dis
claimed knowledge of the report of the
former Episcopal prelate's contemplated
action.
The news that Doctor Kinsman had
decided to become a Catholic and that
ne would study for the priesthood was
conveyed by Baltimore press dispatches
this morning.
Charles M. Curtis, chancellor Of Del
aware. one of the states most promi-
uent Episcopal lavmen and q close
frlcnd of Doctor Kinsman, had not heard
Of the former prelate's action in advance
OF the newspaper reports, but expressed
no surprise. He paid warm tribute
to his friend.
Not Surprised by Report
II an not surprised, exactly" said
Chancellor Curtis, because this seemed
to be the next logical step from the
position he had taken. Whether or not
one agrees with him, one cannot mis-
take that he is following his own light.
The people of Delaware were warmly
attached to him. Aside from my per-
sonal regret, am equally regretful
that he left the church of which he was
=. staunch supporter BY many publica-
tions in which he supported the posi-
ton of the Anglican as against the
Roman Catholic Church."
Doctor Kinsman, his friends point
out, is the author of four or five books
of apologetics, in which he expressed
views very different from those he now
holds. ''He will have to rotract some
Of his opinious," said one of his friends,
but. then, mans views may legiti-
!nately change"
1t is said that Doctor Kinsman's last
book, published about two years ago,
gave no indication of any impending
change in his beliefs. His friends argue
from this that his sympathy with Cath
olic doctrines has been of relatively re-
cent growth.
The Rev. Frederick NJ. Kirkus, one
OF the most widely known Episcopal
clergymen of Delaware and Doctor
kinsmanis close friend, said today that
he had expected the announcement,
though there had been no positive as
sertion that Doctor Kinsman would be-
come Catholic.
Letters Had Catholic Trend
There has been nothing in his cor
respondence about going over to the
Catholic Church." said Mr.. Kirkus,
but the trend Of his letters has been
that way.
His letter to the presiding bishop
when he resigned his charge was, to
the step would probably follow
The Rev. A. J. Arkin, rector of q
church here, and likewise we'll ac-
quaintc6 with Doctor Kinsman, disa- =
greed with the view that the former
bishop had not known his own mind in
the matter OF his religious beliefs until
recently.
"It is hard to tell what is going on in
u mans mind" said Mr.. Arkin. "But
l think he had determined on this course
from the beginning. l wish him every
success. I think Doctor Kinsman is
seeking peace for himself, as many
olOerS are.
~ do not think Doctor Kinsman dis
honest but / do not want him to think
that other ministers of the Episcopal
church are dishonest, either. The Epis-
copal Church has some of the finest
brains to be found among its ministry.
Let Doctor Kinsman not find fault
with the Episcopal Church; he is trying
to pick flaws in church which is ad-
mired by the whole world"
Former Bishop In Retirement
Former Bishop Kinsman has been in
retirement since his resignation as third
Bishop of Delaware.
He is not the first bishop in the
Episcopal Church to become a Catholic.
Bishop Levi SULLIVAN Ives, who died in
New York in 1857, resigned the bishop
ric Of North Carolina IN 1852, went to
Rome, made his submission to the Pope,
and spent the remainder of his days as
Il layman, teaching rhetoric in st. Jo-
seph's Seminary, New York. He had
been bishop twenty years. His wife,
daughter of Bishop Hobart, became a
convert to the Catholic faith with him.