CARDINAL MORAN'S VISIT.

Press, Volume XLIII, Issue 6370, 18 February 1886, Page 3

CARDINAL MORAN'S VISIT.

It having been announced that his Eminence Cardinal Moran, Archbishop of

Sydney, waa to visit Christohurch, the Soman Catholics of this cite; bestirred themselves in making preparations for his Eminence's cordial reception, which took place last night Upon the arrival at the Christehurch railway station of the express train from the South, Cardinal Moran was Warmly received and welcomed by the Bey. Father Ginaty, the gentlemen of the parish representing the people, and the Distriot President of the Hibernian Catholic Benefit Society, and those of the church's adherents, who had congregated on the platform, raised a round of lusty cheers. The welcome was acended also to those who accompanied His Eminence. They are»the Bight Bey. Dr. Bedwood, Bishop of Wellington j' the Bight Bey. Dr. Murray, Bishop of Maitland; the Bight Bey. Dr. Beynold, Bishop of Adelaide i and the Bight Bey. Dr. Luck, Bishop of Auckland,, with their chaplains and priests. The visitors having been conducted to the carriage, awaiting them, a procession was 'formed, and in the following order marched to the Presbytery. First came the Addington Brass Band, followed by the gentlemen of the parish, the..—embers of the H.A.8.C.5., two carriages containing three Bishops and chaplains, and a carriage drawn by four black horses, the occupants of this conveyance being his Eminence Cardinal Moran, his secretary, the Bishop of the diocese. Dr. Bedwood, and the Bey. Father Ginaty. The rear was brought up by private vehicles. At the church and presbytery busy hands had been employed in decorations, and the . scene lit up by a profusion of Chinese lanterns had a pretty effect in the darkness of the evening. Over the main entrance of the door to the presbytery was the motto " Cognosce mess et cognoscunt mc me©," and over the side entrance "Welcome," The interior of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament was also hung with many mottoes and simply adorned with flowers. During the while the suite were engaged in the presbytery the lady organist of the church played the "Grand Hallelujah." Upon his Eminence entering the sacred edifice the choir sang "Ecce Sacerdos," and the large congregation, which fliiecT every available spot in the building, rose en matte, and remained, standing until the visitors had taken their respective seats, tine throne of the Cardinal occupying a position on the left of the sanctuary, ww Eminence, attired in his robes of office, was preceded to the sanctuary .by the altar boys, the priests, and the Bishops. ~ The choir having Bung the Benedictus, the Bey. Father GraATV stepped forward, ; and, on behalf of the clergy, addesssd his : Eminence as follows:~

'May it 'please your Eminence,—We, the clergy of Canterbury, beg to offer you a cord—l welcome. Though this is your first visit, we beg to assure you that you are not unknown tons. We know that you are the Great Prelate who, by your sanctity and profound learning, adorned for so many years the See of St. Calicu a. We are aware of the many services you have rendered to the cause of our holy religion by voice and pen—services which have merited for you the noble position you occupy among the Princes of the Church. We appreciate the great zeal _o characteristic of. your Eminence, which has prompted you to turn aside on your journey to lay the foundation stone of an institution which is to be devoted "to one of the grandest purposes of true charity—the rescue of the fallen. We, your Eminence, are here, in this distant island of the Pacific, in obedience to the voice of that same Lord- who sent his Apostles to preach the Gospel to all nations; of that same Lord who, through his Vicar on earth, called your Eminence from a hallowed city and a beloved people to guide and rule a large portion of the Church of God in Australia. As, therefore, we are animated by the same ;spirit, -we trust that your # coming amongst ub will be a neat incentive to our zeal; that it will brighten our path and inn—c into us fresh courage to prosecute our ardoua labours. We were —led with joy when we heard that our f Holy Father invested you with the Scarlet Bobes of the Sacred College. We rejoice s—l more when "we See y<~<n amongst us in .these sacred robes, and we trust that the bonds which tie us to him wiU now, ff jpossible, be strengthened. We say, if "possible, for we have ever entertained the most heart-felt sentiments of submission, 'respect, and affection for our Holy Father, the worthy successor cf St. Peter. We desire, also, to express the great pleasure we feel because of this visit of your Eminence to New Zealand, for we believe that it will foster and strengthen that spirit pf union which exists among the clergy of the Australian Colonies—that spirit of uni m which is producing, and has produced such happy results. Mr B. J. Lough——, Mr W. B. Perceval, and Mr B. P. Lonargan were then introduced by the Bey. Father Ginaty, and—r. Loughnan spoke as under.-— May it please your Eminence—Permit ua] the Catholic laity of Christchurch, to welcome you to our city. We meet your Eminence with reverenoe as a high Prince .of the Church, whose pretence among us is a new and powerful reminder to us of 'the great hierarchy we honor aad the splendid traditions we venerate. As the first Australian Card—al, who with the benediction of the Holy Father fresh upon him, has just risen from presiding over the first Plenary Cowneil ot the Australasian churches, we offer you our homage. In your Eminence we see a living proof of the paternal care with which the venerable successor of St. Peter discharges towards his children in these distant lands the sacred duty he has so solemnly undertaken to perform. And rejoicing that in your high position the unity of the Church

I |b made daily more manifest to sllmen, wa ! offer yoo ; - our respectM-eongratulatiVnsi' By rea on of your-great services to tho Cause of religion, in your st veral capacities «f theologian; historian, and scholar, we feel it an honor to meet your Eminence.' For the same reason we also feel sure that your aminence will be pleased with the progress the Church has, under God's blessing, made in our country. Speaking for our own district, and in order that your Eminence may have {substantial proofs, we mention, with gratitude, this church, the neighboring convent, and the schools, with their 800 pupils, receiving an education of which religion ia the basis. Belying on these proofs, we venture to testify to your Eminence that the work of the Church in our midst was planned in tho beginning by our pastors of the early days (the Bishop and the Fathers of the Marist Order) with prudent foresight, and that it has ever since been, and is now being, carried on by their successors with faithful energy. In this welcome we offer to your Eminence, we wish to join with you their Lordships the Bishops of Auckland, Adelaide, and Mait—nd, present here with you, after assisting you in the great ceremony, the crown of the grand work performed so splendidly under God's Providence, and with the help of his faithful people, by your namesake, the energetio Bishop of Dunedin. The opening of that beautiful cathedral was a fitting occasion for the presence of those dignitaries of the Church, who in their far-off limits keep bright, with the light of the Holy See, the lunp of Christian faith, and watch over the purity of Christian morals, leading their people ever with prudence, justice, and fortitude in the great battle of the Christian world against the powers of darkness. To our own Bishop, whose high privilege it ia to attend you, whose pleasure it will be in a few days to welcome you at hiß own Episcopal seat, there to profit by your experienced counsel, we beg to extend a due share of the greeting we have offered to yourself. In conclusion, we beg to offer your Eminence our sincere thanks for your visit, to express our gratitude for the share you have so kindly agreed to undertake in to-mo—ow*s good work, and to subscribe . ourselveß your Eminence's obedient, faithful children in Christ. < Mr P. Leahy, District Secretary, and Mr .G. J. Sellers, on behalf of the H.A.C.B. Society, spoke to h-s Eminence as follows .—

- To his Eminence Cardinal Moran, Lord Archbishop of Sydney. My Lord Cardinal—May it please your Eminence—We, the representatives of the New Zealand District of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society, welcome this visit of yojir Eminence to New Zealand with feelings of deep joy, marking as it does a distinct and memorable epoch in the history of this colony. The presence of your' Eminence affords cur Society peculiar happiness, recognising as we do in the venerable and exalted rank to whioh it has pleased our Holy Father to elevate you—a son of that dear old land of Erin—an acknowledgment of that devoted adherence to the Holy See which has ever been characteristic of the Irish race. It is to ub as a Society, whose privilege it is to foster and cherish these sentiments, a symbol of that golden bend of union which unites ub in loving fealty to the iUnstrions occupant of the Pontifical Throne. It is, therefore, with feelings of sincere reverence and profound respect that we approach your Jgminence, and ask your blessing on the Society, that it may always be animated with the true spirit of Catholicity ; and, if permitted, we beg to congratulate the Church of Australasia on the elevation to the Caxdinalate of so distinguished a member of the hierarchy. We remain, the faithful and devoted children of yo«r Eminence. " ' s " His Eminence Cardinal Moran replied:— Venerable Fathers, Gentlemen,—l am sincerely grateful for your kindness in presenting these addresses, and I beg to" asßiire you that nothing, could afford mc greater pleasure than to be able, by this short visit to the rich Canterbury plains, to co-operate in some little way with your venerable Bishop and your zealous pastor in promoting the great work of Christian charity in which they are There can be no more noble mission of charity than to lift up the fallen, to comfort the afflicted, to relieve those who are in distress, to bring, light to those who are in darkness and fife to those who are in death. All this, in its most perfect form, shall be achieved by the important institution ef which you are to lay the foundations of to-morrow. Such institutions of religion and charity contribute more than words can express to build up a nation, and to make a Christian people truly great. Looking at the teeming fields and rich downs through which we passed yesterday and to-day, and which, rivalling the fairest districts of the home countries, yield boundless wealth to your citizens, and lend peerless beauty to your picturesque city, one. cannot but feel convinced that a bright, prosperous and glorious future awaits this vast colony. The venerable Bishops whom God has placed to guide the destinies ef the New Zealand Church, the stand devotedness of its clergy, the generous spirit of Catholic charity and concord that pervades ite faithful people, the admirable religious schoola which I have had the pleasure of visiting, and the flourishing, Convente and Colleges and other institutions of eduoational piety which are springing up throughout the length and breadth of the land, are a sufficient guarantee that, under the Southern Cro3B, religion shall keep pace with the material progress, and that at no distant day this, Eke the other Australian colonies, will become a great centre of true Christian civilisation. Again thank—g you for the kind welcome which yen have accorded mc, permit mc to wish you every success in work of Catholic charity in which you are engaged. • His Eminence was then robed with cope and mitre, and conducted the impressive ceremony of admi_storing the benediction of the moat blessed Sacrament, after which the proceedings terminated.