Fr. Kennedy's Removal

The transier of Rev. Fr. Kennedy f rom the pastorate of St. John 's Catholic chnrch, Ypsilanti to Niles, is feit witb a sense of almost personal loss not only by tne mernbers of his congregatiou iu tbat city but by a large number of his friends iu Ann Arbor as wel!. In speaking of his removal from Ypsilauti, the correspondent of the Wasbtenaw Evening Times says: With a feeling of the utmost surprise that soon turned iuto one of the keenest regret this eutire coromunity, regardless of religious faith, Iearned Friday night that Bishop Foley in the ëxercise of his prerogatives had decided to transfer Fr. Kennedy to Niles, Mich., and had appointed Fr. Doman, iiow at Owosso, to take charge of the chnrch work here. A petition was started Saturday among the very best citizens asking Bishop Foley to reseind his action and Protestants as well as Catbolics seemed to vie with each other in their eagerness to subscribe tbeir nanies in influencing the bishop for the retention of Fr. Kennedy here. Yesterday with this monster petition, whlch included nearly a thousand ñames, ;i committee of about 30, cpmprised oí' nearly equal nunibers of Catholics and Protestants, went to Ann Arbor to personally Interview the bishop who was there attending a confirinatJon. ïhe andience was readily granted and the argumenta as to why Fr. Kennedy should not be taken away from Ypsilanti listened to. Certainly no higher tribute could be paid to any man's sterling worth than the eulogies passed tipon Fr. Kennedy before the bishop yesterday and they came from the very best representaron of citizens of this city. It was a most impresslve seene, but Bishop Foley gave no encouragement to the delegation whatever. He stated that he had contemplated this official act for the past four moutlis and he considered that he was giving Fr. Kennedy a promotion in transferring him to Niles. ïhe change came without any warning and it is understood that the final orders that it will take iiumediate effect will rench here today or tomorrow and that by next Sunday Fr. Doman will be installed here. It might not be showing good judgment in a paper in most cases to criticize the aetion of the bishop, who is supposed to be looking to the best interests of his cHurch, but in the pivsent instance the bonds of propriety must be, if needs be, overstepped. Fr. Kennedy came here to take charge ui' a congrega tïon that was lethargie iu the work of the church. He interested his people and became indefatigable in his eft'orts to bring the church up to a high standard. The church societies are now in a most prosperous condition and the ehnrch reduced in its debts through )iis labors. He not only ingrafted himself into the devotion and love of his own congregation, but enjoys tlie most unbounded respect that goes forth toward him is reciprocated and it is with profound soitow on Fr. Kennedy's part that he finds he is to be separated from his people here. It is certain that Bishop Foley has not consulted the wishes of the congregation, those of the comniunity or Fr. Kennedy in the action he has taken or it never would have been issued and it is very probable that when too late the bishop may realize the mistake he has made. The Argus can unqualifledly endorse the words spoken by the Times, it having found Fr. Kennedy at all times a kindly, courteous Christ a'i gentleman, and it siucerely regrets his removal from among us.