OCR Text |
Show : 4 inptieerneemmaea i LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN CATHOLIC HISTORY CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO 333 spe » ho OP ¥ a Som , it woe ao eto paca iP rem j peti oe er “as pe ahs Te TRS EE A ee EL acest “3atsPT Crises recta be Se - * gee ‘ om ee ew 7 ie : —— eo Siang i ean eee ' eS Rees fet s > 23 “i ™ a a r ay ‘ 332 Padre Gallegos was a very influential and popular man, pears in his parish and elsewhere. His conduct was such that he ae to court the wrath of his superior in ecclesiastical authority. Bis o Lamy was equal to the emergency, however, and withdrew all es eges and faculties from the recalcitrant priest. Rev. Machebeu was sent to Alburquerque to take charge of the parish. The experiences of Father Machebeuf in carrying out this order of Bishop Lamy are well told by the reverend father himself, who says: ‘‘ My position was sufficiently delicate and difficult, for he was abe popular in his set. I took advantage of his temporary a Old Mexico to take possession of the church and to announce trom the pulpit the sentence of the Bishop, suspending ercise of any priestly function. Some time later, ing some Indian parishes in the mountains, about from Alburquerque, I heard that the Padre had going to dispute the possession of the church with day. This did not alarm me, but I thought it best I sent a messenger in haste to the Bishop him from per when I was a : aeveniy Viera ie returned an Bi me the next ae to be prepared, a to get a iad 1 writing of the sentence pronounced upon the Padre, and my “ eds ization in clear terms to administer the affairs of the parish. I re turned to Alburquerque on Saturday night, and on Sunday morning I went to the church an hour earlier than usual in order to be vs the ground and ready for anything that might happen. What Hi my astonishment upon arriving here to find the Padre in the pu ) : and the church filled with people whom I knew-to be his particu a friends. These he had quietly gathered together, and now he pis inciting them to revolt, or at least to resistance. I tried to enter iat church through the sacristy, but this communicated with the presby tery, which he still occupied, and I found the doors locked. Ce” then to the main door of the church I entered, and assuming an a of boldness I commanded the crowd to stand aside and make room for me to pass. Then, as one having authority, I forced my way querque. We have no hesitancy in naming him, as the whole affair was and his previous and subsequent career was well known. Alburquerque second city of importance in the Territory, and was headquarters for number of American troops. The Padre was very popular with certain in the parish, and these were the rich, the politicians and business whom a W ee a inaeeg : ha a ae had any practical religion. With these he drank, gambled and sina y He was a man of more than J Ate and was generally a good fellow. talent, and on that account he received considerable respect and de Lon 4 His conduct, however, gave scandal to the good within the fold, oe a the those without the fold, for it furnished them an occasion for revi ee church. Failing to effect any good by exhortations and warnings, ree at was obliged to withdraw all privileges and faculties from the recalcitrant and Father Machebeuf the people.’’ was sent to take charge, of Alburquerque and P ey? concilia te through the crowd and passed up by the pulpit just as the Padre pronounced the Bishop’s name and mine in connection with the most atrocious accusations and insulting reflect ions. I went on until I reached the highest step of the sanctuary, and then turning I stood listening quietly till he had finished. Then all the people turned to me as if expecting an answer. I replied, and in the clearest manner refuted all his accusations, and I showed, moreov er, that he was guilty of the scandals which had brought on his punishment. I then took from my pocket the letter which my courier had brought me from the bishop, and I read it in a loud voice. To finish, I called upon him to justify himself, or at least to answer, if he had any reply to make. But, not a word; he went out as erestfallen as a trapped fox and left me in peaceful possession of the church. I Sang the high mass as usual, and preached on the Gospel of the day without making the least allusion to the scene which had just taken place. A few days later, to repair his humiliating defeat, he went to the neighboring villages and used every means to arouse the peo- ple, and he succeeded in getting together twenty-five or thirty of the most influential and the richest, with some of his intimate friends from Santa Fé, These, profiting by the absence of the Prefect, who was an intimate friend of mine, came to me in a body, and, with an air of insolence and bravado, ordered me to leave the parish, adding that they did not want any of my admini stration, and if I did not go they would have recourse to other measures. At that moment the good God must have given me patience and strength than natural, for I answered them with firmness that that were more I had come to ake possession of the parish by order of the highest ecclesi astical authority, and that I would receive no orders except from that same authority. I told them that they might take such measures as they Saw fit, but, like the sentinel on guard, I would not quit my post, and as the shepherd of the flock I was ready to die for my sheep rather an abandon them. “This short and forcible answer disconcerted them; they have @ word to say in reply, but returned to the Padre to did not apprise him of the little suecess of their mission. They did not know that I was an Auvergnat. Latsin pas. Never give up! ‘Hardly had they left me when the Prefect Notified of the affair, came up in a fury. He , whom some one had had already given orders for their arrest and appearance in court, but I reasoned with im and finally persuaded him to drop the matter, for I was sure that such a course would be the best in the end. This, in effect, was . © Case, for a re-action took place in my favor and several deputa Hons waited upon me to offer their services and protect me if neces- ay. 1 thanked all of them for their good will, but I decline d any Protection, as I did not fear any trouble. This scene took place on aturday, and on Sunday morning I went to the church unatte nded |