CHURCH PIONEERS

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 149, 25 June 1932, Page 8

CHURCH PIONEERS

EARLY NEW ZEALAND

Survey in Two Papers At Dublin

Congress,

ARCHBISHOP'S MOVING STORY,

(United. P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received 11 a.m.) DUBLIN, June 24.

The first meeting of the New Zealand section of the Eurcharistic Congress listened to a paper by Eileen Duggan and Paul Kavanagh on New Zealand's pioneer Roman Catholic families and priests.

Archbishop Redwood told a moving story of the efforts of an Irish settler, Mr. Thomas Poynton, to obtain a priest for the pioneers. He stated that Mr. Poynton reached New Zealand in 1828. Twice he perilously crossed the Tasman Sea in a whaling boat before the Bishop of Sydney was able to supply a priest.

Through his knowledge of the Maori language Mr. Poynton was able to dissuade the natives from attacking the first Roman Catholic missionaries.

Another paper by Eileen Duggan and Paul Kavanagh, "New Zealand's Debt to Ireland," was read at to-day's New Zealand session in the University College. The writers traced the early history of Catholicism from the landing of the French Bishop Pompallier in "the North Island, when there were only 330 white Catholics 011 the island, nearly all Irish.

The first Irish priest to arrive was Father O'Reilly, who reached Wellington ill 1843. Archbishop Redwood, now known as the Patriarch of the Pacific, though an Englishman, was ordained in Ireland. New Zealanders of Irish descent were proud of the way Archbishop Redwood had surrounded himself with Irish helpers and had himself ever remained an outspoken friend of Irish nationality.

The papers submitted by Eileen Duggan and Paul ICavanagh were specially written at the request of the Dublin Committee of the thirty-first Eucharist Congress. The second paper in full is published, by permission of the Congress Committee, in the Eucharistic Congress number of "The Month," and traces Roman Catholicism in New Zealand from 1838, when Bishop Pompallier, accompanied by Father Servant and a Brother of tlie Society, of Mary, reached Hokianga. It deals more particularly with Irish pioneers, but acknowledges the services of faithful Scots and English Catholic colonists.

PONTIFICAL HIGH MASS

Scene of Resplendent Pomp At

Eucharist Congress

VAST PARADE OP MEN.

(Received 11 a.m.)

DUBLIN, June 24

The principal event at the Eucharistic Congress yesterday was the celebration of Pontifical High Mass by the Papal Legate, Cardinal Lauri, at the pro-Cathedral, Dublin. The Legate made another triumphal tour through cheering multitudes in perfect midsummer sunshine.

The service again was marked by resplendent pomp. It was attended by many notable people, including members of the present and the former Ministry.

Apart from the Legate, seven cardinals, 30 archbishops, 100 bishops, and clergy representing all nations were present. The entire service, as wns the case on Wednesday, was broadcast and was heard through loud-speakers.

During the service Cardinal Lauri used a magnificent gold chalice which the Pope used last Friday and later presented to the Archbishop of Dublin. This chalice is beautifully embossed. Tt depicts scones from the life of Christ, and inscribed in Latin are the words: "Presented to Irish sons in Christ in memory of the Eucharistic Congress of 1932."

The streets in Dublin continue to be crowded day and night. Buildings are floodlit and searchlights are playing, throwing Latin texts on the skies. There was a great scene in the Phoenix Park last night when 2.10 000 men marched thither and assembled around the High Altar as darkness came.

At a given signal every individual lighted a taper and the vast park became a sea of lights as the Legate pronounced the Benediction. Six cardinals and 100 prelates participated in the service.

The splendours of the previous day at the pro-Cathedral were repeated this morning when Pontifical Mass was celebrated.

SPEEDY SEQUEL

IRISH MINISTERS OMITTED,

DUBLIN, June 24.

The non-inclusion of the GovernorGeneral, Mr. James McNeill, in the guests invited to the reception at Dublin Castle had a speedy sequel. Neither Mr. dc Valeni nor any of his Ministers was invited to his Excellency's dinner at the Vice-Regal Lodge in honour of the Papal Legate.