McCloskey, William Bishop of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1868 December 15

McCloskey acknowledges Purcell's kind letter but says that he must decline the invitation. He also thanks Purcell for the Chrism. As regards Covington he regarded the thing as settled and has done nothing. He presumes that in Rome they will not turn aside from the regular nomination. He asks Purcell certain questions about the power of a bishop to absolve priests in cases reserved to the Apolstolic See. He asks whether a priest with ordinary power can absolve in these cases since a confessor at Gethsemani has asked him. He will be most happy to see Mother Joseph that things may be settled permanently. Archbishop Martin J. Spalding will have a tartar on his hands. McCloskey is glad she did not come there as he would have astonished her. :: II-5-d A.L.S. 3pp. 12mo.