Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-13

In communicating to the Cardinal this act of Glenn
ency Won Bssing complains for the first time of the pa
trotic attitude assumed by the clergy. This theme of
discussion, which is here only limited at, will later
form the object of extensive correspondence between
his Eminence and the German authorities.
Pleads for Release of Priests
Archbishops House. Malines,
March 27th 1915.
To His Excellency, Baron Won Bissng Governor Cen
eral, Brussels.
prefect of the Central Art and Mechanical School,
Rue dAlemagne, Brussels has been condemned to
two years and half penal servude for having pro-
vded facilities to two three young to pass the
frontier and the Able Cuylits, of N. D., at
Cureghem, has to undergo year of the same
penalty for similar offense.
The two ecclesastics are in poor health, which
would be shattered for good and all by residence
in foreign land.
For this reason I appeal with confidence to your
Excelency's humane sentiments and ask you to
arrange that both the religious and the secular priest
may undergo their punishment in country.
Iawoud be extremely obliged to you you
to mply with my request and beg you to accept,
sir, the expression of my sincere esteem.
(Signed) D. j. CARDINAL MERCER,
Governor Generals Office, Brussels
III b. T. L. No 1429. pra 18th, 1916
Grant of Pardon to the Able CuylitS and f. Banbeke
81.
To His Eminence Cardinal Mercier, Malines
To my deep regret haze often been forced lat
terly to take decision about appeals for repreue in
the of eccesiastics who haze been punished for
having behaved to1Uard the German authorities in
manner unWorthy of their state.
If / again adopt great cLemency in the case
of the Cure Cuytits, of Cureghem and of f. Van
Bumbeke S. Jr it can only be an exception; haze
only decided to do IN consider ion of the pressing
recommendations haze received on behalf Of the
Cure Cuylits, Who is indispensable to his parish and
in vieV of F. Van Banbekcs poor state of health.
0ould observe that in future, If priests
again found guilty of ofenses against the German
authorities, shall not avaii myself of prerogative.
The Governor General
(Signed) BARON VON Kissing,
Lieut.. General
Your Escellencys "Kind Act'
Archbishop's House, Malnes,
April 18th, 1915.
To His Excellency Baron Won Kissing, Governor Gen
eral, Brussels.
Sir-I have had to be away from Malines these
last few days and have been unable to reply as soon
as should have liked to letter No. 1922 which your
Excellency did me the honor of addressing to me-
In allowing F. Van Bambeke to undergo his pen
atty in Belgian prison, your Excelency has done
very kind act for which the prisoners friends will be
grateful; and in authorizing the Cure Cuyits to
enter his parish at Cureghem, you have done good
service to the religious and moral interests of
diocese. We thank you in all sincerity and beg you
to consider this letter an expression of our graft
tude.
Your Excelency is afraid that you will not in
future be able to your way to show leniency to
the clergy, .and you warn me of the necessity in
which you might find yourself to meet me with a re-
fusal if should again have recourse to your right to
grant reprieve hope there will no longer be any
cason for it.
Your Excelency can hardly forbid from
thinking that should to your prerogatve be
eventually justified, you should again see your way
to taking such steps as equity demands.
Accept, sir, the expression of my feelings OF
gratitude and sincere esteem
(Signed) D.. CARDINAL MERCER,
Archbishop of Malines.