DEATH OF BISHOP LUCK.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 19, 23 January 1896, Page 9

DEATH OF BISHOP LUCK.

It ia our painful duty to record the death of ono of Auckland's most eminent citizens, in the person of tho Righb Rev. John Edmund Luck, Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, who passed away peacefully at tho Bishop's Palace, New-street, Ponsonby, thia morning about half-past six o'clock.' To those who havo heard of the very indifferent health in which the late Bishop has been in for a long time past his death has probably beon by no moans unexpected; During many weeks past, and especially since about 10 days ago, his health had been declining owing to the development of an organic disease of the heart, and he had been attended by Dra. Darby and Mackellar, and taken care of in their absence by Mrs Kehoe Dempsey. Everything that care and skill could do for him the reverend gentleman received, but apparently without avail, for aft6r some bad symptoms showing themselves at an early hour this morning, he passed peaceably at the time mentioned in the presence of his brother the Rev. Father Luck, Dr. Darby, Mra Kehoo Dempaey, Bro. Guido ami several others. Ho appoarod to be quite conscious up to the very moment of hia death. The following biography is abridged from the special Christmas number of tho "Record," published in Christchurch last month :—

The Right Rev. John Edmund Luck, 0.5.8:, fourth Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, was born at Peckham, near London, in 1840. His father. Alfred Luck, Esq., tho youngest 6on of a Kentish Protestant family, woj? converted to the Catholic faith while residing at Abbeville for the purpose of learning the French languago. John, a quiet, studious boy, commonced hia education in St. Edmund's College, Herefordshire. .Mr Luck and his family having removed to Ramsgate they wore there brought into intimate contact with tho Benedictino Fathers of tho Cajssinese Congregation of tho Primitive Observance, who had become established there, among them being the late Abbot Alcock and FatherCuthbert Downey. After leaving college the future Biehop spent two years pursuing his course of philosophy at the famous Sominary of St. Sulpico at Paris. In 1860, the two brothers John and Francis having resolved to enter upon tho severe life of a Benedictine Monk, following tho example of their three sisters, who had already chosen tho " better part," letb home and country for the solitude of Subiaco, bho cradle of tho Benedictine Order, and received the Habit

on November 13th, 1800, and ra&de their religious profoseion on November 17th, 1801, taking the nariies of Edmund and Augustine respectively. Dom. John Edmund was sent, almost immediately after his profession, to tho monastic College of S. Ambrogio at Rome to prosecute his theological studieß ab tho Collegio Romano, under the auspices of the celebrated Jesuit Professors, BallGrini, Fianzolin, Tarqu.ni, and othors. He took his degree a3 D. D. in 186;"). Meanwhile, in 1864, the Rev. Alfred Luck, his excellent father (who, with the sanction and encouragement of Pius JX., had been orduined Priest in 1863), died on June 10th, 1361, necessitating a temporary visib bo England by the two brotheis on business in connection wibh their father's will. He had already built the Monastory ab Ramsgato for the Benedictine Fathei3 at his sole expense, and had recentlybuilt forhimsolf an elegantandcommodious residence in close proximity to the Monastery, which now, together with some £20,000, came into tho hands of fche Order through the two brothers. Tho paternal residence has since received considerable additions, and ia now the flourishing establishment known as sit. Augustine's Benedictine College. On the return of Dom. John Edmund to Italy, he completed tho lost year of his theological course at Rome, and was ordained priest on September 23, 1865, by Mgr. Rodilossi, Bishop of Allatri. Tho next two years wero epanb in the peaceful solitude of Subiaco, whore ho taught philosophy until Ocbober, 1867, when obedience destinod him to roburn to tho land of his birth, and he was senb to assist in tho foundation of a novitate at Tenterden, in Kent, In 1872 he was appointed to bho triennial office of Superior of tho important Monastery and College at llamsgate, and in 1875 became assistant chaplain ab Hales Place, Canterbury. Ifc was during this period of rest thab ho" occupied himself with the translation and publication ol fche "Short Meditations," which have ever since been so well patronised by the Catholic public. In 1878 ha again returned to tho Monastery at Ramsgato as Vico-President of the Collego and Procurator of tho whole establishment. In 1880 ho proceeded to Malta bo found a Novitiate there, and while on his way received the firsb intimation of the possibility of his being selected to the Episcopal charge of Auckland. He, endeavoured to avert this appointmonfc, but tho Holy See would not revoke its choice, and he was consecrated by Cardinal Manning, with Bishops Weathers and Coffin as Assistant Prelates, on August 13th, 18S2, in the Prioral Church of*Sb. Augustine, Ramsgafee. After a delay of only a few weeks, he started for the future scene of his labours, in company with the Rev. G. M. Lonihan, and received his first greoting in New Zealand from his brother, tho Rev. F. A. Luck, 0.5.8., who had already been in the colony for eighteen months, and whosA^ide from Auckland to Russell, over almost impassable roads, was certainly a strong proof ol brotherly love. The Bishop rocoived a magnificent reception on his arrival at Auckland on November 16th. "At tho time we are writing" (continues tho "Record"), " His Lordship has completed the 13th year of his governmenb of bhe Diocese. We will nob descanb at length on the fruits of his administration; his maxim is " Soli Veo honor el gloria ;" we will only say that, notwithstanding the greab diminution of Catholic population and of pecuniary means since 1880, Divine Providence, through the co-operation of his clergy and people, has greatly strengthened the growth and position of the Church. Nineteen now churches (including Sb. Patrick's Cathedral, St. Benedict's, and Sb. Mary's Onehunga, which aro all brick buildings), six churches in wood for the Maoris,thirteen new schools, six new presbyteries, eight new convents (including tho commodious home for fche aged poor under the Little Sisters), and

a house for the Marisfc Brothers—these are amongst fche signs of material growth. Then, as regards the personnel of tho dioceso, we havo. 30 priests instead of 15, the Marist Brothers havo been introduced, three Convents of the Sisters of Sb. Joseph, and the Home, alludod to above, of tho Little Sisters of the Poor. Neither must wo overlook fche increased importance of the St. Mary's Industrial School, with its recently-opened branch for boys at Takapuna, under the Slaters of Mercy, or the new foundation of these devoted workers at Gisborne. One of bho lost undertakings of our beloved Bishop, aud one that will perpetuate his memory for many a year Eo come, is the erection of one of the most handsotno and convenient Episcopal residences to ba found in these colonies. This fine building, from the designs of Messrs Pugiu and Pugin, of Loudon, ia erected on a site remurkable lor its salubrity and beauty, which will ever remain associated with the namos of Bishops Pompallier and Croke, and Mr P. Darby. This important work was chiefly tho result of Dr. Luck's wonderfully successful labours on the occasion of his last visib to Europe in 1891 -2, when he collected principally for this purpose.' As a preacher, His Lordship is eloquent and logical, his discourses being delivered in language singularly choice, and with an exceptionally pleasing voice. He is an accomplished musician, and takes an active interest in tho encouragement of horticulture, being himself a skilled botanist. In social circles he is an amiable and charming conversationalist. However, we regret to say thab his health has been failing for some time past, owing to tho development of an organic disease of the hearb. Though most unwilling to spare himself, he is compelled to admit that ho is no longer equal bo the anxieties and duties of his exaltod position, and he has recently obtained the sanction of Rqma to havo tho assistance of a Coadjutor."

As our readers will no doubt remember, owing to the illness of tho late Bishop a meeting of the Roman Catholic clergy was held at St. f'atrick's on the 21st November last for the purpose of appointing a Coadjutator. The meeting was presided over by His Grace Archbishop Redwood, of Wellington, and the clergy present recommended the following names in tho order given : Tho Rev. Fathers Lenihan, Reilly, and Hackott. About a week ago, Father Lenihan was appointed administrator in conjunction with the Rev. Monsignor Paul, V.G.

The deceased will be buried at Onehunga in accordance with his expressed wish on Saturday or Sunday nexb. The precise time and date of the burial waa nob known up to the time of our going to press, owing to there being no definite information to hand as to tho arrival of His Lordship Bishop Grimes, of Christchuich, who is thought to be on his way up. The Takapuna, which the Bishop will probably arrive by, is expected here on Saturday morning about 3 o'clock, in which case the funeral will take place on Saturday afternoon. It is expected thab either Bishop Grime 3or the Archbishop will conduct the burial service,

The body will be removed to Sb. Patrick's Cathedral to-morrow afternoon, where ib will lie in state till Saturday. In fche evening at 7 o'clock thore will be a solemn dirge by the local clergy, and on Saturday morning at 11 o'clock a solemn requiem mass will be hold.