Evening star., 1939-05-13
Dean Powell Declines
Bishops Post 10
Serve Cathedral
Sacrifices Election to
louisiunu Diocese
To Corry On Tosk
BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT,

The claims of Washington Cathe-
dral took preference over those of
a diocese of his own in the judg-
ment of the Very Rev. Noble c.
Powell. dean of the Cathedral, who
yesterday declined to accept cleo
ton as Bishop of Louisiana.
Four weeks of debate in the
deans mind and heart prompted
his final decision. Born in the
South and devoted to its people, he
believed at first that he should re-
spond to the call from New Orleans
Later he came to believe that the
demands of his work in Washing
ton were more insistent. The build
ing of "a witness to Christ in the
Nations Capital" Is a task which
he discovered, has superior right
to his services. Some sacrifice was
involved in the choice but it has
been made without regret.
Issues Statement.
Dean PoWell's formal statement
issued last night. reads: After long
and careful consideration of the
call to the episcopate in the diocese
OF Louisiana I felt that 1 was called
to Washington Cathedral with a
definite program of work to carry
through. Although this work is
well under way, it is far from be-
ing completed Therefore. I feel a
sense of prior duty here from which
l cannot turn aside.
Il am conscious of the great op-
portunity for service confronting
Washington Cathedral, and my
work here during the last two
years has. in all humility, brought
me much happiness.
The decision was most difficult
one because of the enormous op-
portunities for missionary and pas
toral work in the diocese of Louisi-
ana. both being types of work in
which I am greatly and deeply in
terested."
Last Appeal Fails.
AS late as last midnight the
Louisiana Diocesan Standing Com
mittee tried to persuade the dean
to reconsider his decision. Two mem
bers of the committee called him
on the telephone from New Or.
leans in last-minute effort to win
him over, Meanwhile, however. he
had accepted election to the Ex-
ecutive Council of the Diocese OF
Washington and appointment to
the Diocesan Committee on Church
Architecture. The Right Rev
James E. Freeman, Bishop of Wash
ington, speaking at the diocesan
convention supper at Satterlee Hall,
st. Adams Parish, Wednesday
night. had hinted that his friend
and brother" would not desert u.s.
But Dean Powell kept silent in
Difference to the New Orleans
friends, who had begged him not
to close the door to them. He gave
his word not to say anything for
publication until they should an
nounce his declination themselves
The promise was kept in spite OF
many difficulties.
Preaching Mission Big Factor.
One compelling reason for the
deans choice was that of his posi-
ton as warden of the College OF
Preachers, where he is directing
postgraduate studies for scores OF
clergymen who come to Washing
ton for that purpose from all parts
of the country. He is devoted tc
the preaching mission and strong
in his faith that its importance
cannot be overestimated in troubled
times.
Bishop Freeman summarized the
joy of the Washington Diocese, as
well as the Cathedral and college
families" in the words: Il am
very happy to have further re-
assurance of the deans continu-
ance with his work in Washington
He is dearly loved at Mount St
Alban, and We wish to keep him
here"