DEATH OF BISHOP BRODIE

TRIBUTES PAID

LIFE OF DEVOTED SERVICE WORK FOR CHURCH AND COMMUNITY The death occurred early yesterday morning at Lewisham Hospital of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Matthew Joseph Brodie, Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch since December, 1915., Bishop Brodie was 72 years old, and he had been in failing health for the last 12 months. He had been a patient at Lewisham Hospital since April. Bishop Brodie’s pastoral rule extended over half the life-time of the diocese of Christchurch—a period of remarkable prosperity, enriching and enlarging the spiritual inheritance bequeathed by Bishop Grimes and the pioneer French and Irish missionaries of Canterbury and Westland. He associated himself with every movement for lightening the burden of the needy and the suffering, and his services during the epidemic of 1918 and the depression will be gratefully recalled, by all. Monsignor Brodie, as he was then known, was appointed Bishop of Christchurch by Pope Benedict XV on December 6, 1915, in succession to the Most Rev. John Joseph Grimes, S.M., who had governed the diocese for 28 years. He was consecrated in the Cathedral by the first Apostolic Delegate to these lands, Cardinal Cerretti, who was assisted by Archbishop Redwood and Bishop Verdon. The interest awakened by the consecration of the bishop was not confined to his own people, but was shared by the public at large, and the 27 years of his episcopate were marked, by the happiest relations with every section of the community. The rich talents and gracious personality of the young bishop, as well as a varied experience as a priest, admii’ably fitted him for the responsible office to which he had been raised.

Bishop Brodie, the first New Zealander by birth to be raised to the ■episcopate, was born at Coromandel. There he received his early education, which was continued at St. Joseph’s Marist Brothel's’ College, Hunter’s Hill, Sydney, and at St. Patrick’s Seminary, Manly. He was ordained by Bishop Lenihan in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Auckland, 47 years ago, bis first years being spent in St. Benedict’s parish. Next came his appointment to the scattered district of Puhoi, which had amongst its Catholics a high percentage of foreign settlers. Later he was made first parish priest of Waihi. then at the height of the gold-mining boom. He was next appointed Administrator of St. Patrick’s .Cathedral, Auckland, and at the time of his appointment as Bishop of Christchurch was parish priest of Parnell. He fulfilled his onerous duties with tireless energy and to the greatest benefit of his people. His government was inspired by fatherly kindness, consideration, and understanding. He held up to his people the highest ideals as Catholics and citizens, he warned them of,dangers, surrounded them with safeguards, and watched over them with solicitude. Deep Love of Country

A deep love for his native land, NeW Zealand, had ever characterised t ßishop Brodie, and he never ceased to praisethe happy social conditions and theunrivalled opportunities the country presented to all. He always instilled into his people for their benefit and for that of the country, a love for the land—their greatest asset. In public life Bishop Brodie worked towards the advancement of the \\ elfare— social and material—of the city as a whole. He took an active part in many organisations in welfare work. Most of what he did was known only to himself and to those he helped. Of his labours during the years of the last slump much gould be written; and previously in Auckland his main activities were among the poor. In Catholic education during the last 27 years the guiding hand of Bishop Brodie had been noticeable, aftd it was always his theory that as fine a school as possible should be provided so that a pupil- proud of his school, might also gain 1 pride in himself. The theory was borne out by the schools—modern, open-air, and healthy—which have been built in the diocese in recent years. Nor did the mere building of schools end his interest. He was a practical supporter of every school, taking a keen, active interest in everything pertaining to Catholic education, and to the establishment of primary and secondary educational centres. The main secondary school for the diocese, St. Bede’s College, received the greatest assistance from the Bishop and just a few years after his consecration it became a boys’ boarding establishment. Under the direction of the Marist Fathers and with the whole-souled encouragement of the Bishop the progress in education, discipline, diligence,-and good, healthy, robust sport has been most marked. One aspect of Catholic education that gave the greatest satisfaction was the steady stream of St. Bede’s College students to the priesthood, many of them missionaries in some of the world’s most out-of-the-way places, and chaplains with the Expeditionary Forces. Christchurch Institutions

The great work done at Mount Magdala under the Sisters of the Good Shepherd always had the particular attention and ready assistance of Bishop Brodie—ever a generous patron of the institution. The orphanage of St. Joseph’s, attached to Mount Magdala, is another monument to the work of a man whose main interest was amongst the poor and the afflicted. The growth of Lewisham Hospital in the episcopate of Bishop Brodie is a chapter in his lifework and it is also an important factor in Catholic life in the city. Nazareth House, conducted by the Sisters of Nazareth, is another institution that has been enlarged and ■ the noble work extended under his guidance. The order was founded in London more-than 80 years ago, and, now spread to every part of the British Empire, has had the whole-souled support of Bishop Brodie. • Many public bodies, societies, and institutions benefited by his wise counsel, and they, too, like his own flock, will be the poorer for his death. Bishop Brodie had been a member of the St. John Ambulance Association for the last 25 years, and was a member of the executive. He took a keen interest in the working of the order, which included transport, brigade, ,and voluntary aid He was a regular attendant at all meetings and a generous helper of the order. On the occasion of the silver jubilee of his episcopate, two years ago, ample evidence was given of the esteem and affection in which he was held by all sections of the community, in recognition of the great services he rendered the Church, he was made then, by Pope Pius XII, a Bishop Assistant at the Papal Throne, a member of . the Papal household, and a Papal Count. He was the second occupant of the See of Christchurch, which was first established in 1887. Funeral Arrangements This evening the cortege will leave Lewisham Hospital at 6,30 for the Catholic Cathedral, at the entrance of which the body will be received by the Rt. Rev. Dr. J. M. Liston, Bishop of Auckland, and placed in front of the High Altar, where it will lie in state until the High Mass on Thursday. On this day Mass will be celebrated in the Cathedral from 5.30 a.m. until 8.30 a.m., and there will be general communion for all parishioners. The solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass on Thursday will be celebrated by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Liston, and Archbishop O’Shea will preach and give the final absolutions.

After Mass the funeral cortege will leave for Mount Magdala, where a, private interment will take place. To-morrow at 9.30 a.m. Solemn Pontifical Mass for school children of the diocese will be celebrated by the Rev. Dr. O’Neill. Coadjutor Bishop of Dunedin, and at 7 p.m. the solemn office for the dead will be sung.

A RESPECTED LEADER “The death of Bishop Brodie', after a long and painful illness most patiently borne, deprives our city of one of its most respected leaders,” said Archbishop West-Watson, Primate of New Zealand, in a tribute to the memory of Bishop Brodie. “His own, church suffers grievous loss; but his influence extended far beyond its borders. “By his kindness and unaffected charity, as well as by his deep, human sympathy with all, who were in trouble, Bishop Brodie had won the affection and regard of the citizens at large and of members of religious communions other than his own. His work during this great depression will long be remembered.

“The Bishop found it hard to think •anything but the best of others; he was a living example of what St. Paul meant when he wrote in praise of charity that, ‘Charity suffereth long, and is kind; . . . thinketh no evil; . . . beareth all things, believelh all things, hopeth all things.’ His spirit was that of a great Christian, and I shall always count it a privilege to have been associated with him these many years. We need more like him. ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.’ ”

Tribute by Mayor of Christchurch “It was with a deep sense of personal loss that I received word of the death of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Brodie, but my personal loss is small compared with the loss to the community of Christchurch,” said the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr E. H. Andrews). “I had been closely associated with Bishop Brodie for many years, first in educational matters, and later also in many public affairs affecting the city. I learned to love him for his broadmindedness, his deep sympathy, and his willingness to help. “Particularly in the relief of distress among the people he was always to the fore in sound advice and in a deep sympathy springing from his great and loving heart. Even before the days of social security, he acted with me and others on the old Unemployment Committee and always found time in his busy life to give his help and advice. “In patriotic affairs, too, his assistance was ahvays forthcoming and the last public address I heard him give, I believe the last he did give, was a moving patriotic appeal in the Civic Theatre on St. Patrick’s Night. “Truly the city suffers a; loss it can ill afford: the loss of a great and gracious Christian gentleman.” “A Man of Simple Faith”

The Rev. T. W. Armour, Moderator of the Christchurch Presbytery, speaks of Bishop Brodie as follows:

“As Moderator of the Christchurch Presbytery I wish to express the feelings of regret with which the community learns of the passing of the Rt. Rev. Bishop Brodie. I know that fellow-Presbyterians, since they learned of his serious illness, have followed the course of it with deep sympathy. As perhaps now the minister of longest standing in Christchurch, though our mam interest took us in different directions, I have on many occasions had to be with him. as in dealing with the social disturbances of the depression period, church radio broadcasting, etc. He always impressed me by his kindly nature, his conciliatory disposition, and his genuine concern for the wellbeing of his fellow citizens. Withal that he was a man of simple faith and a devoted son of his church; he had the scholarship and breadth of mind to estimate and appreciate the traditions and the convictions of his feilowChristians,”

Deep regret at the death of Bishop Brodie was placed on record at a meet? ing of the Civic Intercession Service Committee yesterday morning. The committee, representative of most ol the Protestant denominations, arranges the monthly Civic Theatre services. “With the passing of Bishop Brodie the St. John Ambulance Brigade throughout the whole of Canterbury and the West Coast has lost a sincere friend and helper in its great cause, said Major J. W. Cramp'.nn. assistant commissioner in charge of the St. John Ambulanct Brigade. “Officers ana members of the brigade deeply mourn their loss. It is felt that one who has served the community in the interests of suffering humanity, as has Bishop Brodie, is indeed hard "to lose and dimcult to replace. The self-sacrifices e - dured by this noble servant of 0 Creator have long been appreciate a r the St. John Ambulance Brigade ana its officers and members win ev cherish the sacred memory of so gr»“ a benefactor.”