The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1921-04-14
Sheriff Rauen ON Orders of Archbishop Mess
mer Nails up the Doors of Church
Buildings This Morning.
MUST PETITION TO REOPEN CHURCH
Walter NJ Burke is Named to Represent Archbishop
in All Matters Pertaining to Church Prop
erty - Father Perardi Satisfied 5EI

Pompel1 and | wish you to consider
that whatever requests he makes on
you in this matter have my full en-
dorsement. I shall really appreciate
whatever help you can give him. He
will also present you letter of mine
by which I ask you to take full charge
of the premises of the said congrega-
ton and keep the keys thereof in your
possession for the time being.
Respectfully yours,
S. G. MESSMER,
Archbishop.
Sheriff Takes Possession.
In keeping with the orders of the
head Of the church, Sheriff Rauen and
Attorney Burke took formal possession
of the property of the parish just after
ten o'clock this morning. There was
no demonstration and very few people
were on the streets near the church
property VIII the entrance to the
church and other buildings owned by
the parish were. sealed and notices
posted telling of the interdict of the
archbishop and the authority by which
the official Of the county had taken
possession of the property.
No comment on the action Of the
archbishop was made by Father Per-
ar6i, Tho is still at the h3ma Of the
Rev. W. D. Malone. 1t was stated that
Father Perardi was very i'll but that
he was entirely satisfied to have his
superior officer direct all matters in
connection with the congregation and
that he was ready and willing to abide
by any decision made by the head q
the church in the diocese.
No time has been set for furtheg
consideration Of the matter. Members
of the congregation who have been az
tive in the battle for possession of the
parish, declared today that they would
await the action of the archbishop.
Their plans to present their full argu-
ment to the archbishop are fully ma
tured.
Interdict to Come Later.
The Rev. W. D. Malone conferred
with Archbishop Messmer in regard to
the condition in Kenosha at the home
of the archbishop in Milwaukee on
Tuesday evening. "The formal inter
dict of the archbishop will be sent to
Kenosha later in the week." said
Father Malone this morning, "and it
will explain clearly the position of the
church. The people who are loyal to
the church will later have chance to
show their loyalty by petition, but
do not care to discuss this phase of the
question until the formal statement Of
the archbishop is given out"
Father Malone added that he had no
personal part in the affair at all and
was simply acting for the best inter
ests of all conG Irned.
Chief of Police Owen OHare and
Sheriff Rauen with Attorney Burke
finished the work of closing up the
church and mailing the doors shortly
before noon this morning There was
no agitation. A crowd gathered around
the buildings, but absolutely no at
tempt was made to interfere with the
work of the officers.
Members of the committee did not
appear to be surprised at the action
of the archbishop. at was what we
expected" said one Of the members
of the committee. eve would rather
have the church closed than have
continuation of what we have had for
several months past There will be no
disturbance to interfere with this plan
of the archbishop"
1t was intimated that professors"
would await quietly further action of
the archbishop.
A letter has been received by the
'Kenosha Evening News" from Nicolo
Fragale, formerly student at
seminary, formerly a student at
statements that the crowd on Sunday
evening was armed or attempted to
do violence to Reverend Perardi. He
declares that the people neither
threatened the priest nor the police.
Contrary to the announcement made
in the weekly calendar, no fortnightly
supper will be served at the Guild hall
on Thursday evening.