| OCR Text |
Show CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO 329 and maintain in proper Catholic manner the true worship of God, to uphold, as he said ‘‘our most holy Catholic and only true religion, amid those who professed heterodox creeds, who by the liberal system of the existing government, had now full power to enter and reside in that part of his diocese.’’ 2° Always alive to the interests of the church, the America n hierarchy, recognizing this addition to the territory of the United States, and the presence within the newly acquired areas of a vast number of Catholics, made urgent request upon the Holy See for action in church matters in New Mexico. Bishop Zubirfa was not advised, hor were the church authorities at Santa Fé, of the appeal which was thus made by the American hierarchy. The Holy See at once erected New Mexico into a vicariate apostolic and named Rev. John B. Lamy, a priest of the diocese of Cincinna ti, to take charge and reorganize religious affairs in the territory .”°° On his arrival he quickly ascertained that the New Mexican clergygy felt unwilling g to recognize his authority. Bishop Zubiria, at the time of his visit the year previous, had given no intimation that the Holy See had in mind 4 canonical subdivision of the diocese of Durango, nor had, in fact, 80 far as they knew, New Mexico been formally detached from it, and on this account they felt in duty bound to still regard Bishop Zubiria as their Superior. Here the wisdom of Bishop Lamy demonStrated itself. Having in mind only the welfare of the people he Proposed to the Very Rey. Juan Felipe Ortiz, vicario, that a journey : made to Durango for the purpose of a personal interview with Ishop Zubirfa, CMediatewely so that all objection : removed. . With to a guide, to his authority Bishop Lamy, i Act of Visitation, Santa Fé, October 22, 1850. 3 Shea, John oe : might be im- on horseback, Gilmary, History of the Catholic Church in the United States, born at Lempdes, France, October 11, 1814, of a family Educated was ne ful in_ ‘He vocations, ordained in December, at Clermont and the Seminary of Montferra nd, 1838, s nv assistant priest at Chapre, in 1839,by heMgr. Ferron, Bishop of Clermont. volunteered to join Bishop Purcell a. & Ohio mission. Stationed at Wooster, and subsequently “ ed zeal, Piety, at Covington, he devotedness, and an endurance which shrank from no and scattered bodies were carefully attended to keep the faith alive toil. e and a ® all to fulfill their duties to God. From these labors cn. of Pope Pius IX. Submitting to the yoke imposed,he was called by he was consea. at Cincinnati, on the 24th of oo a Sa November, 1850, and immediately set out Orleans and Texas. While taking this long eal Toute he met with an accident and was laid up for months at ntonio, so that he did not reach Santa F% till the summer of 1851.’’ 1S Vicariate by way of New |
