TO KING AND POPE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22339, 1 March 1938, Page 9

TO KING AND POPE

Messages Of Homage

And Loyalty

PETITION FOR APOSTOLIC BLESSING ' V (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.* AUCKLAND, February 28. On the occasion of the Roman Catholic centenary, messages expressing the homage and loyalty of the Catholic people of New Zealand to His Majesty the King and his Holiness the Pope were dispatched to-day, the first through the Governor-General (Viscount Galway) and the second by cablegram to the Vatican. The text of the message to the Governor-General is as follows: “I should be grateful if your Excellency would transmit this message of homage to His Majesty the King: The Catholics of New Zealand, bishops, priests, and people, now solemnly commemorating in Auckland the beginnings of the Catholic faith in this country 100 years ago. ask Your Majesty to accept an expression of their deep loyalty and respect and an assurance of their prayers for the happiness of Your Majesty and .Her Majesty the Queen.’ —James M. Liston, Bishop of Auckland.” The cablegram to his Holiness the Pope reads: ‘The Archbishop -and Bishops of New 'Zealand in their own name and on behalf of the prelates, the clergy, the religious and faithful, now commemorating under the presidency of his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate, the first centenary of the faith in our land, humbly and respectfully offer your Holiness thanks for your gracious message, renew their loyalty and devotion to your august person and ask the Apostolic blessing for themselves and their country."

HIBERNIAN SOCIETY’S GROWTH

REVIEW AT DOMINION CONFERENCE FUNCTIONS IN SPIRITUAL SPHERE (FRBaS ASSOCIATION TKT.KffRUC.I -- AUCKLAND. February -281--Visiting prelates were welcomed and a successful year was reviewed at the opening conference of the _ New Zealand district of the Hibemian-Austra-lasian Catholic Benefit Society, lit M. Grimes, grand president presided, and in welcoming the distinguished visitors referred to the growth of the society. The society in New Zealand now had more than 5300 members, said Mr Grimes, and there were 80 adult mad 10 juvenile branches. An indication of the growth of the society was given by the fact that the fund now stood at more than £123.000. “The Hibernian Society’s ideals are love of God and love of country,” said Archbishop Duhig. “We find in Australia a beautiful blend of love of God. love of the Old Country, and love of the new. - It is traditional that the Hibernian Society had its origin in men who defended priests during Mass in the days when there was persecution in Ireland. lam sure that every bishop can say that now. whenever the occasion arises, he will find Hibernians ready to form a guard of honour for him.”

Archbishop Killian said he was sun* the members were very gratified at the beautiful message Cardinal MacRory had sent the Dominion on the Catholic centenary occasion. It was only to New Zealand that the message was dbnveyed from the Cardinal JPrimate of Ail Ireland.

Referring to the benefit _ aspect of the society. Archbishop Killian -said that there was no doubt that because of social legislation in some Australian states and in New Zealand, great progress was being made for the support of the sick. Social legislation bestowed material benefits, but it could never supply the spirit of fraternity and love of country, as a society-such as the Hibernians. The work of such organisations eras not material, bpt spiritual. TRIBUTE TO WAR DEAD APOSTOLIC DELEGATE LAYS WREATH ON CENOTAPH (PBSS9 4.SSQCIATIOS TBUCQBAKJ AUCKLAND. February 28. “Last Post” was sounded again at the Auckland Cenotaph this morning, when the Apostolic Delegate (Archbishop Panico) laid a wreath upon it “For the valorous dead.” Guards- of honour were formed by the cadets of Sacred Heart College and the girlsof St. Mary’s College, Ponsonby. The president (Mr J. W. Kendall) ami members of the executive of the Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association formed a further guard of honour. All the New Zealand and visiting prelates were present, and, in laying the wreath. Archbishop Panico - was accompanied by the Mayor of Auckland (Sir Ernest Davis). BrigadierGeneral Sir George Richardson, Monsignor King. OJB.E, captain and chap-lain-general in the Australian Forces, and Mr T. Lafley. chief centenary The assemblage stood at attention for the playing of “God Save The King” by the Waverley Orphanage Boys’ Band. SERVICE IN FRANCISCAN ORDER FATHER F. GRIFFIN TO BE SUPERIOR AT AUCKLAND (FSEBS TStBGtiltJ AUCKLAND. February 28. Distinguished among the visitors in Auckland for the Roman Catholic celebrations by his brown Franciscan habit the Rev. Father Fidelis Griffin. 0.F.M.. besides representing the Franciscans in Australia, has come to Auckdand to stay, and he will be the first superior of the Franciscan retreat house, the foundation stone of which will be blessed at Hillsborough on Saturday. ... _ , , Arriving in Australia from Ireland 10 years ago to take charge of the Franciscans in Australia, Father Gnmn rapidly developed the work of the order. As commissary-provincial, he made great progress and _ the order now has more than 40 pneste and ®» students in the Commonwealth. fore his departure for New Zealand he was accorded a magnificent tarerot presided over by the Most Rev. mjt. J. Duhig. Archbishop of Brisbane. Father Griffin expressed deught at coming to the Dominion, and is looking forward to his work in Auckland. The work will be mainly enclosed retreats for men and boys, but tnanwtu also preach missions. There wiU Pg five friars and two lay brothers av use monastery when it opens.