Year: 1875

BISHOP WOOD IN. c. OF PHILADELPHIA, SUED
FOR ONE HUNDRED AND sxTY-oNE THOUSAND
DOLLARS RY HIS PARIsHIoNERs-AN NTER<
EsTING QUESTION TO cArHoLIcs-A HISTORY


OF THE CASE


PHILADELPHIA Dec II, 1875
In the HERALD of December was mentioned
rly few facts bearing upon the difficulties present
pending between Right Rev Bishop Wood OF the RoJ
man Catholic Church, and number OF his parishion<
ers claiming be creditors OF St Bonafacus church.
lately presided over by Father Gerdemann
A HISTORY CHURCH.


appears that when the erection OF this church edk
hce was contemplated the Bishop in casting around
among his clergy for of good executive ability
which was positive necessity in the exigency, and
more especially in the then condition OF the parish
selected Father Gerdemann, a man in whom he 70
posed implicit confidence. Under instructions from
the Bishop


PArmR GERDRMASS


took the helm but found that the ordinary
for the attainment Of revenues with which compete
the church entirely inadequate In dire Distress
1t resolved upon by the dual conclave whom
the credit is due for the brilliant suggestion cannot be
ascertained, to organize


A CHURCH SAVING FUND,


opening accounts with depostors, promising them. In
the commencement Of the scheme, four per cent,
which afterward increased TO six per interest
the funds returnable upon short notice How the de-
posts we're 10 be returned upon any notice. long
short, when placed in such investment was move
ment In finance which many could not solve but tho
explanation that they had hoped TO have body Of
permanent investors and that those desiring TO with
draw could be met by the amounts Of new depostors,
and indefinitely. The interest they hoped to pay
out OF the revenues of the parish


Whether 1t would have been success will never be
known The detection OF Gerdcmann led to serious
results notably among which was the bankruptcy of
the church.


CALLING on rHE BISHOP.


Some eighteen months ago meeting OF the creditors
was held, the representative Indebtedness present
being $l61, o00 AT thus meeting it was resolved 70
notify the Bishop of his moral and legal ponsbility
In the premises, and committee appointed Ia
wait upon him The result Of the conference was
promise his part do his best to settle the claims
or at least make proposition satisfactory both
parties In this and in subsequent meetings with the
committee and their counsel he has studiousy
actions has led them to believe that he
is of the opinion that IL Is solely in his own option
whether he hquidates the claims ignores them AS
ate the early part OF October they mad hoped that
M his reverence intended some movement toward re.
evng their necessities for, without doubt many had
placed their all in this fund and would have dono
SO but for the fact well known to every Catholic that
the Bishop the custodian Of all Church property and
as such, would be amenabIe TO all demands


SUING THE BISHOP.


Becoming restive from the causes narrated they
moving in earnest, and through their attorneys
filing claims in the civil courts TheF have placed
the suits in the hands OF Mr. J. Fletcher Budd who has
joined with him Mr. J. Cooke Longstreth and Mr. Ed.
win D. Chase In an interview with these gentlemen
they expressed confidence in an ultimate recovery Of
| the full amounts, principal and interest
THE CoMPLAINASTs' CASE
They base their confidence upon two points OF fact
and law The first is that principal is at all times and
in all lands held responsible for the civil of his
agent The second Is that the entire Church property
! OF the diocese is subject to judgment and execution
under these claims This they hold tenable ground
from the fact that all deeds Of Church ecclesiastical
property OF whatever form made to the Bishop his
heirs and assigns and that such being the fact he Is the
owner and the sole owner of the entire Church prop
ery in his diocese and necessarily judgment against
hm individually stands against all Church property OF
which he is not only the custodian but the owner Tn
til his death he holds absolute tenure and at his
death his heirs hold such Inheritance being provided
for in Will dcvislng TO his successor in Office THIS the
custom of the American Catholic Church The de-
veopments arising out of the suits being inst-
uted will be original and striking and will open points
OF law believe never reached in any heretofore
tried the civil courts of this country Judgment has
been obtained IN one before Magistrate Sterne and
up to present writing appeal has been taken The
Catholics Of this diocese will watch with intense solicit
ude the decisions of the courts for the have been
divided among tho iour courts which compose our
civil sessions.