AFFAIRES DE L'UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE WASHINGTON

(Voyez ci-dessus p. i34)

Lettre de démission adressée par le Docteur POHLE à Sa Grâce l'Archevêque de Phi]adelphie(0-

Most Révérend Archbishop, Your Grâce is doubtiess already aware of the fafct that I hâve accepted the professorship of Dogmatic theology in the University of Milnster, tendered me by the Prussian government. 1 regard it as my duty, before severîng my connection with the Catholic University of America, to aend to your Grâce a forma! notification of thi» (icceptance. In order to complète as far as

(i) Le Très Révérend Docteur Ryan, président du comité chsrgd de la nomination des professeurs.

possible my course of lectures for the current year ai this University, I requested the Prussian Government to grani me a leave of absence until after the Pentecosi Holidays, 10 which request the Government kindly acceded. Accordingly I shall not leave this University until the middie of May.

In view of the circumstances under which I accepted the professorship at the Catholic University of America, as well as of those under which I relinquish it, 1 deem it advisable, yea even a duty to give some explanatîons to your committee and through it to the members of the honorable Board.

When after mature reflection I accepted the kind invitation of the Right Rev. Bishop Keane to corne to Washington, il was my firm purpose to dévote ail my énergies and my whole life to the young and promising University, and through it to the Catholic Church in America, The difficulties with which such a youthful Institution had by the nature of the case to grapple, far from weakening my détermination served but to strengthen it. I can therefore sincerely say, ihat during the first two years after the inauguration of the University, begun under such happy auspices, no offer, however honorable, would hâve induçed me te withdraw from it my

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feebleco-operation. The bïblical dictum ; « Quam bonum et quam jucundum habitare fratres in unum 0 was beautifully illusiraîed in our mutual relations within and without, notwithstanding the spécial and unusual labor necessarily incumbent upon the professors during that time; the united and harmonious efforts were at the same time a source of mutual encouragement as also the suresi guarantee of its success for the good of Ho!y Church.

Unhappily it was not to. remain so ; an unfortunate dispute, whîch was foisted upon the CathoHc Church in America, left its lamentable traces also in the University.. The particulars of that controversy are so well known, that I need not dwell upon them, I cannot, however, help alluding to certain features of it which greaily infiuenced my resolution to quit my position, and the more so, because I deem that a frank avowal of my motives wil| perhaps be of service to an institution whose welfare will be the object of my tenderest wishes and prayers to the end of my days.

It was my opinion then, and it is siill my opinion, that the University as such was not called to take a stand in those so-called burning questions and matters connected with them, and this because those questions, by their very

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nature, were outside of our sphère, and aiso because it necessarily brought itself into a position which is not consonant with its object to be the Catholic University of America and consequently of the whole episcopate.

I may mention in passing that I could not approve of certain opinions and principles defended by some members of the University, and 1 venture to assert that their defence did not enhance the good opinion entertained toward this Institution by our colaborers in the Jield of Catholic science. I emphasize that the interférence of the University in thèse questions was wholly inopportune and was, in view of the attending circumstances, calculated to do it harm. That such was really the case, at least with regard to the majority of our Catholics, is an undeniable fact.

To this must be added another circumstance which concerns us even more intimately, viz ; that that very inopportune partisan stand taken by the greater part of the teaching staff brought about the sudden disruption of the fraternal relations prevîously existing among the professors ; a fact which necessarily exercised a most injurious influence upon the spirit of the house, among the superiors as well as among the students.

If I especially mention in this place one of my esteemed colleagues, I do this not only to express my sincère anddeep friendshiptowards him, but also in the interests of common justice and of the University itself. Monsignor Dr. Schroeder indeed took an active part in those public discussions, but only after the University had already taken a decided position in the opposite direction. He was justified in doing so, by virtue of our Catholic and American liberty; moreover, he intended to serve the best interests of the University itself, by showing in a public manner that the University was not the représentative of an exclusive Une of opinion ; and in doing so, he acted in perfect accord with a large contingent of our bishops and only followed their example ; and I cheerfully acknovi^Iedge that the essentïal principles which he defended, are also my own.

I pass a similar Judgment upon his attitude in the s. c. movement against Cahenslyism. Whilst condemning in common with him the policy falsely ascribed to Mr. Cahensly, I hâve publicly protested in unison with him against such a scandalous crusade, based upon caiumnious misrepresentations. I do not regret it ; I even déclare that this unchristian agitation infiuenced- not a little my détermination to

leave America. Certain parties hâve accused us of a narrow national spirit, from which we were and are still far removed, perjiaps more so, than our accusers themselves.

But what has touclied me mosl profoundly is the fact which I hâve observed during the last two years, that Mgr. Schroeder, who as a man and a professer is, to say the least, equal to any of bis coUeagues, has become in conséquence of his fearless attitude, at times the subject of a treatment which is contrary not only to the courtesy due to such a distinguished man, but also to the most elementary principles of Christian charity. I myself hâve witnessed attacks whose évident purpose was to render his position at the University unbearable.

If in spite of thèse and other vexations, even from the public press, we remained at our post, this was done only upon the advise and request of some members of the Board itself. The aforemenîioned behavior toward my venerated colleague and friend still continues, and vitiates the once so delightful atmosphère of our community life. And this last fact is a further motive of my détermination, the imparting of which to your Grâce is the object of this communication.

I am firmly convinced that your Grâce and the

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Board will not take offence at my frankness, and I cheerfully take the opportunity of cordially thanking my Superiors and colleagues for ail tlie kindnesses and favors bestowed upon me during my sojourn at the Universîty.

I remain, etc.,