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Show ARCHBISHOP XEANE. Short Sketch of the Labors of This Noted Divine. The gratifying intelligence comes throila-h thf cnlnmnc oT tVio Tiiiffalo Catholic Union and Times that the distinguished dis-tinguished Archbishop John J. Keane has reached these shores. We are informed in-formed that the distinguished prelate is here now, and has been here for many weeks. How he managed to elude the ubiquitous reporters is his own secret. se-cret. No prelate cf the American church has a warmer place in the hearts of American Catholics than Archbishop Keane, the first great rector rec-tor of the American Catholic university. univer-sity. It was on the 15th of December, 1896, that the holy father relieved him of his arduous duties of that heavy office and addressed him. in a fatherly and loving letter to that effect. The apostolic letter gave the reason in this language: "It is customary that they who are appointed to preside over Catholic universities should not hold the office in perpetuity. This custom has grown up through wise reasons, mid the Roman Pontiffs have ever been careful that it should be adhered to. Since, therefore, venerable brother, you have nmi- nmcWoi f.- . over the university at Washington in the first establishment and subsequent development of which you have shown laudabie zeal and diligence, it has seemed test that the above mentioned custom should not be departed from, and that another whose name is to be proposed to us by the bishops should be appointed to succeed you in the honorable honor-able position. In order, however, that, in resigning this office, due regard may be had to your person and your dignity, dig-nity, we have determined to elevate you to the rank of archbishop." This letter was received by the esteemed es-teemed rector on Sept. 28 of the same year, and on the following day he mailed his letter of resignation to the Holy Father. Supplementing this letter he said: "I welcome my release from the office of rector of the university with profound gratitude, both to Divine Di-vine Providence and to the Pope. While I always regarded its duties as a labor of love, 'they had grown to be far beyond be-yond my strength and abilities, and a deliverance from the burdens is a response re-sponse to many prayers." Archbishop Keane, following his retirement, re-tirement, spent many months on the Pacific coast, leaving his plans for the future for a later date. Subsequently, at the earnest invitation of the Holy Father, he went to Rome, and there in many good works, especially as a preacher and counsellor on American ecclesiastical matters, performed valuable valu-able service. He now returns to this country on a prolonged leave of absence, ab-sence, and it is said he will devote his time in behalf of the financial interests inter-ests of the university. No more congenial con-genial work could be alloted him than to urge upon our Catholic people to redouble re-double their .interest, their zeal, their generosity, and to mtike the university what in right it must be, the coming glory of Christian education in America. Amer-ica. I The advanced state the university occupies today is owing to the labors of Archbishop Keane. Despite adverse circumstances that would have discouraged dis-couraged a less dauntless spirit, he moved onward, his impu'se to place the university on the high vantage ground that it would be truly a sef.t of learning, learn-ing, zealously Catholic in cone and in spinL oi ine age oi ine great repuonc on whose soil it was founded, in whose capital it was planted, and for whose people it was intended, and whose money has builded it and endowed its faculty. The Catholic univers'ty in America owes all it has and all it hopes- for to the grand Catholic spirit in America that has made it possible. Archbishop John J. Keane is a native na-tive of County Donegal, Ireland, born Sept. 12, 1834. He was brought here by his parents at a very early age. His classical course was made in St. Charles' college, and his theological studies in St. Mary's seminary, Baltimore. Balti-more. In 1S66 he was ordained and appointed ap-pointed assistant rector at St. Patrick's church, Washington, D. C. Twelve years later he was promoted to the see of Richmond. He was consecrated on Aug. 25, 1878. In the Third Plenary Council 'Bishop Keane fooiv an active part, and the pastoral letter of the council is attributed to his pen. One of the chief results of the council was the undertaking, decreed by it, of crowning the system of Christian education in our country by the establishment of a Catholic university. The council ap-nointed ap-nointed a select committee to act in its name for the purpose. In 1S86 the preliminaries were so far advanced that it became necessary to choose -a rector. The choice fell on Archbishop Keane. On the 10th of April, 1877, Pope Leo XIII issued his brief, giving to the establishment his warmest apostolic apos-tolic approbation. Following the laying lay-ing of the corner-stone of the university, univer-sity, on. May 24. 1888. the archbishop tendered his resignation of the see of Richmond. By a brief, dated Aug. 29, 1SS8, the Sovereign Pontiff accepted his resignation and transferred him to the titular see of Ajasso, that he might henceforth be free to devote all his energies en-ergies to the task before him. , During the ten years that he administered admin-istered the diocese of Richmond, two objects principally occupied his attention, atten-tion, the evangelization of the region entrusted to his pastoral care and the conversion of the negro race. By his assiduous preaching he. did much towards to-wards removing prejudices from t ic r i r.t ri,.tT;n'ii vnup minus oi ine peupie ul ...... he strengthened his scattered flock m their love for their holy" religion: a net by his .labors among the negroes he h;is laid solidly in Richmond and elsewhere else-where the foundation of an apost olio vork from which the zeal of his sue cessors cannot fail to gather abundant fruits of salvation, . Archbishop Keane's portrait gives pertaps, more clearly than any other outward presentments of . the Ame"-can Ame"-can prelrtes, a very timely index : h.b character. Strength and suavity, zeal and tact, enthusiasm and prudence are indicated in a face which even in its immobility has a wonderful power of expression- -' |