"most baneful to religion": Abp. Eccleston to Fr. Roothaan, June 27, 1839
Dublin Core
Title
"most baneful to religion": Abp. Eccleston to Fr. Roothaan, June 27, 1839
Subject
Catholic Church--Clergy--Correspondence
Fr. Mulledy
Scandal
Fr. Mulledy
Scandal
Description
In a letter to the Father General, Eccleston pleads for Mulledy to remain in the Society. He argues that the shock of his dismissal would create a scandal in the US.
Creator
Source
Provincia Maryland 7 I 15, Archivum Romanum Societatis Iesu
Publisher
Georgetown Slavery Archive
Date
1839-6-27
Contributor
Andrew Dial
Rights
Do not republish without permission of the Archivum Romanum Societatis Iesu.
Format
Letter
Language
English
Type
Correspondence
Identifier
GSA404
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Georgetown D.C. U.S June 27. 1839
Very Revd Father
This letter will probably reach you a few days before the arrival of the V. Revd F Mulledy when I have, in concert with with Revd F McSherry, arrived to visit Rome, for purposes which the latter will explain to you there at length. My object in writing to you is to emplore your paternal indulgence in behalf of the Revd F. Mulledy whose many excellent & distinguished qualities are known to us, as well as the examples which have pained both you & myself. The services which he has rendered & is still calculated to render to religion, his sound principles of piety and goodness of heart have endeared him to me, notwithstanding his occasional failings and inspire me with the assurance that he will still be a most valuable member of your venerable Society, if , as I most earnestly hope, you receive him as a cherished although unfortunate son.
Whilst I can see no inconvenience or unfortunate consequence that can arise from his remaining in the Society, as contrary course would be productive of the most serious wish. In this country the éclat [See Footnote 1] of his exclusion would be most baneful to religion in general & in the grand name and usefulness of your Society in particular. Nor will your paternal heart permit you to be indifferent to his own spiritual interests & welfare. If I may return to speak of his own feelings, you will, Very Revd Father, spare me many a sorrowful moment by leaning to the side of clemency & confiding in the sincerity & generosity of this resolution.
I am, Very Revd Father, Vy Respectfully
And faithfully yours in Christ
+ Samuel Archess Balt.
Footnotes
1. French for "shock."
Very Revd Father
This letter will probably reach you a few days before the arrival of the V. Revd F Mulledy when I have, in concert with with Revd F McSherry, arrived to visit Rome, for purposes which the latter will explain to you there at length. My object in writing to you is to emplore your paternal indulgence in behalf of the Revd F. Mulledy whose many excellent & distinguished qualities are known to us, as well as the examples which have pained both you & myself. The services which he has rendered & is still calculated to render to religion, his sound principles of piety and goodness of heart have endeared him to me, notwithstanding his occasional failings and inspire me with the assurance that he will still be a most valuable member of your venerable Society, if , as I most earnestly hope, you receive him as a cherished although unfortunate son.
Whilst I can see no inconvenience or unfortunate consequence that can arise from his remaining in the Society, as contrary course would be productive of the most serious wish. In this country the éclat [See Footnote 1] of his exclusion would be most baneful to religion in general & in the grand name and usefulness of your Society in particular. Nor will your paternal heart permit you to be indifferent to his own spiritual interests & welfare. If I may return to speak of his own feelings, you will, Very Revd Father, spare me many a sorrowful moment by leaning to the side of clemency & confiding in the sincerity & generosity of this resolution.
I am, Very Revd Father, Vy Respectfully
And faithfully yours in Christ
+ Samuel Archess Balt.
Footnotes
1. French for "shock."
Files
Citation
Archivum Romanum Societatis Iesu, “"most baneful to religion": Abp. Eccleston to Fr. Roothaan, June 27, 1839,” Georgetown Slavery Archive, accessed January 21, 2025, https://slaveryarchive.georgetown.edu/items/show/468.