A GREAT CHURCHMAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 292, 10 December 1929, Page 8

A GREAT CHURCHMAN.

TRIBUTES TO DR. CLEARS GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S MESSAGE. TELEGRAM FROM PRIME MINISTEI His Excellency the Governor-Genen lias telegraphed to Bishop Liston: "He Excellency an'cl I are deeply grieved t hear of the death of Bishop Cleary, an send you our most sincere sympathy i the loss of one who will be great! missed and for whom we had grea regard." A message from the Prime Ministe (the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) reads "I have received with deep regret you telegram announcing the death of Bisho Cleary, and I hasten to express to yo and the members of the Catholic Churc in the Auckland diocese my sincer sympathy in the lose of its distinguishe head. The late Bishop Cleary possesse a lovable personality which endeared hii to a very large circle of friends, both i: and out of the Church. lam very sorr; that my present indisposition will pre vent me being able to personally atten the last rites." "In this great hour of sadness ou hearts go out to our brethren of Bisho; Geary's Church in their great loss, : states Archbishop Averill, in an appre ciation of the late Bishop Cleary. "Wit] him has passed a zealous missionary wh devoted every one of his many talent; to the dissemination of the Gospel aiu to strengthening the Church in the field* wherein he laboured. We have Been hin creating new parishes and giving a leai in courage and fortitude and charity ti the people and priests of his large an< scattered diocese. We know that thi distant back-blocks settlement was a< much to him as the more easy path! of the city. We have seen him, also giving fully of his energy and time i) establishingschoolfi for the education o the boys and girls of his Hock. The pooi and the orphans have been his especia care, and we know that he spent no mori happy hours than those when lie wa< with the children. I have always faum him to be extremely courteous and '. shall always remember him as a Chris tian gentleman as well as a bishop o God's Church." The Presbyterian Moderator. "It is with deep regret that 1 learn o' the passing of Bishop Cleary," states tin Rev. W. D. Morrison-Sutherland moderator of the Presbytery. "He was a man of distinct intellectual qualities— a leader of religious thought—am characterised by long-sighted persistencj of purpose. I knew something of his literary work, and I respected him foi his genuine interest in, and large contribution to, the welfare of his llock, the young and the settlers of the badeblock* in particular. I have always thought il a fine feature in his character thai although prelate of a Church that prides itself on a unity, an empire and splendour that no other Church possesses, h( yet appreciated the good works of othei Christian denominations, and treatec; other clergymen with the consideratior and courtesy becoming a gentleman, ant I am not surprised that his qualities oi heart and mind and outstanding ability and devotion to duty gave him a higl place in the pride and affection of hi? awn people. I venture to offer them my respectful sympathy in the great loss they have sustained." Jewish Rabbi's Tribute. "With the passing of Bishop Cleary the Roman Catholic Church has lost a distinguished prelate of commanding personality, and the city of Auckland one of its best and highly-valued citizens," said the Rev. S. A. Goldstein, Jewish Rabbi at Auckland. "As one who enjoyed his friendship for many years, I can well speak of the fine traits of character ho possessed, his innate courtesy and refinement, geniality and friendly disposition. He had the rare gift of making friends among members of all denominations. His scholarship was profound, while his sense of literary appreciation was admirable. His mind was a well-arranged storehouse of general information." Friend of Salvation Army. "Wo have heard with deep sorrow of the passing of Bishop Cleary," states Brigadier Walter Cottrill, divisional commander of the Salvation Army. "There are many aspects connected with his distinguished career which will, doubtless, be referred to by those who enjoyed in a more intimate manner association with him. The Salvation Army, however, will owe a deep.debt of gratitude to him for his unfailing courtesy and generous assistance to our krmj workers. The late bishop had a warm place in his heart for our social ivork, and was always ready to show his practical sympathy with us in our sfforts to alleviate want and suffering." The Mayor's Tribute. The Mayor (Mr. George Baildon) said: T deeply regret the passing of Bishop bleary. Ever since I first entered the )üblic life of Auckland I have been issociated with him in various ways, and '. have, found in him one'whose interests vere not confined to those of his own ;reed. All social service and philanthropic works claimed his sympathetic ntereet, and Auckland is very much the joorer for his passing." University Council. Members of the Council of the Auckand University College at the monthly ueeting yesterday, stood for a few noments in silence to the memory of Jishop Cleary, when the news of his leath was received. A motion of conlolence was passed, the chairman, the lon. Sir George Fowlds, referring to the 'ery great work Bishop Cleary had done. "A Sincere and Humble Christian." "I had no personal acquaintance with he late Bishop Cleary, but I have known »f his work and influence for many rears. He was a mail of strong con--ictions, a keen and able controversialist nth. conspicuous journalistic ability, jsed with telling effect in the interests ti his Church and for the general good if the community," said the Rev. E. )rake, chairman of the Auckland Mhodiet district. "Being of independmt judgment he took his own line in he Bible-in-schools controversy, and his ,ttitude on the prohibition question, he leing the only prelate of his Church in he Dominion to advocate that cause. I lelieve that he was a sincere and humble Christian, desirous of being worthy of ii 6 high calling and his profession as Christian man."