RECEPTION TO BISHOP

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23263, 25 February 1941, Page 10

RECEPTION TO BISHOP

♦ Jubilee of Dr. Brodie TRIBUTES TO WORK IN 25 YEARS Cabinet Ministers, members of Parliament. and representatives of the city and its social organisations joined with the Roman Catholic Hierarchy, clergv. and laity last night in a public reception to the Roman Catholic Bishop cf Christchurch, the Most Rev. Dr. M. J Brodie. D.D.. who is celebrating his silver jubilee. The' Civic Theatre was packed for the reception, at which a number of presentations were made to the Bishop. 4 , .. A long telegram of congratulation was read from the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hen. P. Fraser). Archbishop O’Shea said that the celebrations proved that a large section in the community—probably a minority but still a considerable minoritybelieved in Almighty God and in leligion. . That minority might yet be turned to a majerity so that public affairs as private conduct, might be guided by Christian principles—and New Zealand set a newer example to the world in a golden age to come. Felicitations on behalf of the Hierarchy were also added by Bishop Whyte and Bishop Liston, both of them friends of Bishop Brodie for more than 40 years. At St. Patrick’s College, Manly, Bishop Whyte had been a teacher. Bishop Brodie,a prefect. and Bishop Liston a student at the same time —and the name of Matthew Brcdie was everywhere to be seen in the prize-lists at the seminary. The Deputy-Mayor (Mr J. S. Barnett) made special mention of Bishop Brodie’s work for the alleviation of distress during the depression. “We who were associated with him know' (he extent of what he did,” said Mr Barnett,

"Bishop Brodie has followed faithfully in the steps of his Master," said the "Minister for Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan). "He has been a good Bishop—nay. a great Bishop, a good priest, a good man. and a good friend.” The work the Bishop had done could not be too highly praised, and the full story of his practical help in the days of the depression would never be known.

"I do not know of any living man in this country more worthy of the praise now being bestowed on Bishop Brodie," said the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong). Years ago in a working class mining community, in which the speaker had worked. Bishop Brodie, then a parish priest, had been held in the deepest reverence by everyone—-Catholics and Protestants alike. In industrial disputes Bishop Brodie had always had sympathy for those who would suffer most—the women and children, and his advict, based on justice, was always valued. The Bishop believed that reason, not force, must bring justice, added Mr Armstrong. Bishop Brodie. as parish priest of Waihi. had also been the first chairman of the hospital board there. "If he went back to that mining town now,” said Mr Armstrong, “he would g"* => warmer welcome than any man alive." "An Illustrious Son” ‘‘Not only one of New Zealand's great men but one of her illustrious sons,” was the description applied to Bishop Brodie by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland). "Christchurch and Canterbury have profited by the fact that 25 years ago Bishop Brodie came to us as a stranger and we took him in.” A rich country, New Zealand was immeasurably the richer that men like the Bishop had lived in it. The Hon, Sir R. Heaton Rhodes said that the thousands who had attended the jubilee ceremonies must have brougth home to Bishop Brodie the esteem and love in which he was held. Just as his flock had been fortunate in him as a Bishop, so had the city been lucky in having Dr. Brodie. as a citizen. Bishop Brodie had been a vice-president of the St. John Ambulance Association for many years, and for some years had been a member of the executive, and his advice and assistance had been of the utmost value and service.

Presentations were made to Bishop Brodie during the evening by Catholic Maoris, the Hibernian Society, and from the laity as a whole. The speakers were, for the Maoris. Mr J. Kingi and the Rev. Father Venning, S.M.; for the Hibernians, Mr M. Grimes; and for the laity. Mr Peter O'Connell and Mr W. Rodgers. The Hon. W. Hayward. M.L.C., who was chairman of the reception, made the presentation on the laity's behalf. Bishop Brodie, rising to reply, received an ovation lasting a few minutes. He made special mention of the presentation from the Maoris, At school in his young days he had come to understand the Maoris; they were worthy of every loving care that a bishop or priest could bestow, He especially thanked Sir Heaton Rhodes for his attendance on behalf of dear friends in the St. John Ambulance Association. He paid a tribute to the support the laity had always given him. and to the excellent qualities of the citizens of Christchurch with whom he had been proud to serve in social work.

The programme was as follows: "God Defend New Zealand” and “Ecce Sacerdos Magnus,” by the Jubilee Choir; ‘‘Jubilee Ode” (which was written for the jubilee by Eileen Duggan, the music by Miss M. O’Connor), by the Grail Choir; instrumental trio (Misses Gladys Vincent. Noel Cape-Williamson, and Merle Cunningham); “Ave Maria” and “Magnificat,” Jubilee Choir; "He Mihi,” Maori choir. PRESENTATION FROM CHILDREN CEREMONY IN GROUNDS OF CATHEDRAL More than 3500 school children from the Roman Catholic schools of Christchurch were associated in a presentation to Bishop Brodie in the cathedral grounds yesterday morning. The ceremony was preceded by Solemn Pontifical High Mass, of which the celebrant was Bishop Brodie himself, and which was attended by more than 80 clergy and the three visiting members of the Hierarchy—Archbishop O’Shea, Bishop Whyte, and Bishop Liston. The cathedral was not big enough to hold the gathering, and some of the younger children followed the Mass from loudspeakers outside the cathedral, Music for the Mass was sung by a combined choir drawn from the secondary schools and the Proper of the Mass was sung by boys from St Bede’s College. The occasional address, in which high praise was given the various religious orders staffing the schools, and the encouragement always given them iri their work by Bishop Brodie. was given by the Bishop of Dunedin, Bishop Whyte. The children formed a guard of honour for the Bishop after the Mass, and the presentation on behalf of all the children was made at a ceremony in the school grounds. An address was read to the Bishop, in which the best wishes of all the children in the diocese were expressed.