PIONEER BISHOP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 302, 21 December 1937, Page 9

PIONEER BISHOP.

POMPALLIER'S WORK. BUST FOR ST. PATRICK'S. ! SCULPTURED IK AUCKLAND. | As a memorial to one of the out- < standing figures, in pioneer missionary 1 work in New Zealand, a bust in bronze ' of Bishop Pompallier is to be placed in St. Patrick's Cathedral. At present on show in the Auckland Art Gallery, the bust is the work of the Auckland sculptor, Mr. William H. Wright, A.R.C.A., instructor in modelling at the Elam School of Art. In his work the sculptor has strikingly portrayed the strength of character and physique of the bishop—his fine bearing, noble features and strong, kindly mouth. A full-life size, the bust is the only one of its kind in New Zealand. It depicts Bishop Pompallier in episcopal dress, with mantelleta, stole, skull-cap, pastoral Cross, insignia of the Knight of the Holy Sepulchre and the Cross of the Legion of Honour. Flowing hair caught by the doffed cowl contributed to the striking character of the side view of the bust. Anniversary of Death. At the request of Bishop Liston, Mr. Wright began the work about March of this year, and the plaster model from the original clay was sent to England a few months ago to be cast in bronze. It was landed at Auckland last week. Mr. Wright, who practised professional sculpture before he began teaching at the Elam School, is well known to the Auckland public for his two beautiful bronzes, "Molly" and "Louise," already in the Art Gallery. These are two of| the several works he has exhibited in, the Royal Academy. I

To-day, incidentally, is the 66th anniversary of the death of Bishop Pompallier. He was the founder of the Catholic Church not only in New Zealand, but in numerous islands of the Western Pacific. As Vicar Apostolic of Western Oceania, "he arrived at Hokianga on January 10, 1838, and celebrated the first Mass on New Zealand soil three days later. Immediately afterwards the work which was to fill the next thirty years of his life began. Assisted by a Marist priest and a lay brother who had come out with him from France, the voyage occupying 13 months, he undertook the difficult task of establishing the Church in the North and gradually extending its influence among both the white and . native races. Quickly mastering the Maori language, making long journeys by boat or on foot, he was an inspiring example to other missionaries, and particularly to those under his jurisdiction. Fitted aa a Leader. References to him as "the indefatigable, self-sacrificing and zealous bishop," and to the impression his commanding appearance and speech made upon the Maoris, recall after nearly a hundred years his characteristics as a leader. Born in Lyons, France, on December 11, 1801, he was educated for the priesthood and was ordained at the age of 28. He was consecrated a bishop on June 30, 1836, and when he arrived in New Zealand he was 36 years of age. On the completion of 31 years of work he retired to France in 1869, and, after experiencing the privations and hardships of the siege of Paris, died on December 21, 1871. During Bishop Pompallier's ministry in New Zealand the creation of three dioceses —those of Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin—marked the progress of the Church. The Maori War, however, was a severe setback to missionary enterprise, and nullified to some extent the efforts of the first bishop and those I under him. Still, he laboured against the ; ravages of war and other obstacles, and ! upon the foundations which he laid the I Catholic Church in New Zealand has ' been built. It is fitting that a leader of t this type should be the central figure i to be honoured in connection with the coming centenary of-the -Church.