Anduze, Father Matthew Bernard, New Orleans, Louisiana, to Bishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1843 October 12

After his interview with Blanc yesterday, Anduze resolved to tell Blanc some of his considerations. He knows everything "Their Lordships" have written to Rome to counterbalance the communications Anduze may have sent. He is the victim of persecution. He has suffered patiently for 15 months; he has never received the least overture for a reconciliation. Yesterday he was received in a most humiliating way. In the interview Blanc said that Anduze could use his talents to more advantage elsewhere. Anduze knows public opinion better that those who have just arrived. The priests, by their defamations, scandals and lawsuits, have done a terrible evil to religion. Anduze, a citizen of the country where he has lived and been a priest for almost 25 years, has been forbidden to say Mass. He demands the faculty as his right; he will demand it for 15 years, if necessary, as he has for 15 months. 1. The diocese of Louisiana was separated from that of St. Christopher of Havana at the request of Charles IV with the consent of the titular bishop. 2. It was constituted canonically like those of Europe and Mexico and was never considered as a mission see. 3. Bishop William Louis Dubourg kept these privileges and was answerable only to Rome. 4. Bishop Ambrose Maréchal, on receiving the pallium in 1817, received no power over the diocese of New Orleans. 5. When in 1824, Maréchal obtained the separation of Alabama from Louisiana, and the appointment of Bishop Michael Portier, then President of a school at Lancaster, DuBourg, indignant at this violation of the canons and the infraction of his rights, wrote to Rome and abandoned the diocese. Bishop Joseph Rosati, attending the Provincial Council of Baltimore in 1827, did not give up his rights; he registered his protests. This brings about the questions as to whether a bishop has a right to give up the rights of his diocese to the prejudice of his clergy. Anduze lists 5 points under this subject. A priest must make his defense with dignity. Anduze itemizes his debts which amount to 7586.66 piastres. There is only one way to end this fight and that is a sincere reconciliation. The public considers him a victim. If Anduze does not receive a favorable reply from Blanc, he will establish himself here. A resolution of the fabrique having put his old apartments at the presbytery at his disposal, Anduze's financial position forces him to accept them. :: V-4-o A.L.S. French 7pp. 4to.