Year: 1875

FATHER GRACE's EXPLANATION OF HIS REFUSAL


To.BuRY THE CHILD OF MANUEL DE FRAY


No HOSTILITY TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS


NEWPORT, r. l., Dec IT 1875


AS might have been expected, the paragraph in the
HERALD Thursday relation to the unburied child
of Manuel De Fray in this city, created considerable
talk, and various opinions have been expressed The
priest questionable Rev. Philip Grace-called upon
the HERALD correspondent this afternoon relation to
the paragraph referred He stated that it was not
true that he had refused to ociae because the child
allowed to attend Protestant school In fact he
heard until after her death that such was the
case. He also denied refusing Christian burial which
would be consequence of his refusing to oniciate
He further states that week the father OF the girl
called upon him and requested that prayers should be
read The following usual inquiry made-


'Dld priest the child before it ded9n


De Fray answered in the negative According TO
the law the Church" said Father Grace, the sacra
ment shall be administered to all children over seven
years age and it for the parents neglect alone
that he declined t2 read The service thinking do
string too, that IL would serve as a caution in the
future" He said:- ;,


II frequently administer the sacrament to children
who attend public schools and shall continue TO do
SO If there is other why should think
there cannot be any objection to what taught in tue
schools because every study essential to the perfect
ing of man. -


He said that il not customary in any other place
in the country TO read prayers at the funerals OF chill
dren but there was not the slightest objection his
part why the child should have Christian burial
He desired IL TO be emphatcaly understood that he did
not refuse to read the prayers the chd's body
for the reason given above.


Father Grace has been here for several years and s
OF the most popular men in the city. He is not
markable for intolerance, but though strictly Catholic
in his principles has never had uncharitabe sentl-
feeling Tor his dissenting brethren


OTHER


The following version OF the matter given by
Mrs DE Fray, mother Of the child She that
upon Father Grace, asking the latter to have prayers
read. The priest asked, immediately what school the
deceased had been in the habit of attending and upon
being informed that ii was the Protestant school, he
said,


ssNo il you send your children to the Protestant
schools will not allow your request"


Mrs. De Fray further stated that II not the
first time she had been snubbed account of her
daughter being allowed to attend the public schools;
that she and her husband had been prohibited from
doing their duty to the Church--viz., making con-
fesson according TO the rules Of the Church. The
Catholic school being long distance from her home
the only reason, her part why she had allowed
her daughter 10 attend the Protestant school The
latter but a ie.f rods from her residence When
her child grew older she sad she intended to send
to the Catholic school


will be that they vary many essential points
Tho affair is just the towns talk but 1t the
familys wish that the funeral service should be held
in accordance with the rights and privileges OF their
Church, and the matter brought to amcable settle
ment without any further trouble.