Our Catlwlic Heritage in Texas
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on the first boat to the Barrens, and left on April 22 aboard the M ai,d of Kentucky. After a long consultation with Timon, it was decided that Odin return the Bulls and reject the appointment. Timon in- formed Blanc on May 4 of the decision. "There is no obedience upon him," he maintained. "Therefore, sincerely and in the presence of God, I think that I do my duty, serve the Church of God, and do for my dearest friend as I in like case would wish to have done for myself in advising him to send back his Bulls." 6 Expressing regret and alleging lack of ability and virtue for so high an office, Odin returned the Bulls to Blanc on May 9. He de- plored the inconvenience that his refusal to accept the appointment would cause the Diocese of Detroit, but he considered that the delay would be more than justified by the opportunity that His Holiness would have to select a subject more capable of administering the dio- cese. He concluded by assuring Blanc that he would leave the seminary by the end of the month to return to Texas. 7 The menace to the recently reorganized Church in Texas had not been completely removed, however, by the unselfish and courageous action of the conscientious Odin. Rome had still the last word. The Bulls could be reissued and Odin made to accept under obedience the responsibility for the administration of the Diocese of Detroit. No one realized this fact better than Timon, who on May IO made a fervent and direct appeal to Cardinal Fransoni, Prefect of the Holy Congrega- tion de Propaganda Fide. "Prostrated at the feet of Your Eminence, I implore you to save the Republic of Texas from the worst of mis- fortunes," pleaded Timon. He reminded the Cardinal of the long neglect suffered by Catholics in the distant province and of the scandals that had resulted to the detriment of the Faith. "We have sent the Reverend Mr. Odin as the superior of a pioneer band of priests to labor in that field, which, shooting up its first stalks at present, promises to yield a full harvest before many years.... Mine is the title of Prefect Apos- tolic, but Mr. Odin actually discharges the office," he explained. To remove him from the field, he contended, would undo all the good that had been done and would necessitate a new start. Mr. Odin, Timon de- clared, was eminently suited for the work in Texas. In closing, the Visitor made an emotional appeal in the name of charity, zeal, and pity to save Texas from the evils that would follow Odin's removal. 8
'Timon to Blanc, May 4, 1841, Notre D~ Archives. 1Qdin to Blanc, May 9, 1841, C. A. T. •Timon to Franson!, May 10, 1841, C. A. T.
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