Luers, John H., Bishop of Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, of Cincinnati, Ohio, 1869 March 21

Luers has written the Prelates of the Province as requested. When their replies are received, it will then be time enough to learn the mind of the Archbishop of Baltimore. Martin John Spalding on the matter of successor to the Diocese of Fort Wayne, or appointee to the Diocese of Detroit . Father Julian Benoit some time ago made a profit of $12,000 to $14,000 on the sale of property around Ft. Wayne. Benoit is not Luers' choice; he has always held Father E Hannin of Toledo in high esteem. Fathers Hennin and F Boff of Toledo would do as first and second place for the Diocese of Ft. Wayne, and second and third for Detroit, and Father John H. Bekkers of Louisville or someone else as third place for Ft. Wayne. Should the Bishop of Cleveland Amadeus Rappe divide his diocese, and select for his See such a one as Purcell intimates, then Luers could divide Detroit, which needs it much more than Cleveland. He favors a separation where it is evident that such a division must eventually take place. Religion gains by an early separation. If such had been the case at Ft. Wayne, the diocese would now have a much better foothold than it does have. The question of who can best provide for the souls that God has confided to his priests and Bishops, is most important. The Church has no nationality, yet care must be taken that possible appointees do not turn out as did Bishop Thomas A. Becker of Wilmington, who once turned down an applicant because he was not native-born. What would become of the thousands of souls in Detroit, if such a man were sent up there. Too, Detroit and rough, laborious work for several years at least, are synonymous. Luers only gives his views, which may be erroneous. :: II-5-d A.L.S. 4pp. 12mo.