Many tributes paid to Cardinal McKeefry

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33386, 19 November 1973, Page 16

Many tributes paid to Cardinal McKeefry

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 18. Cardinal McKeefry, who died in Wellington ! today, had been a great leader of his Church, and a strong influence for good in the community, said the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Marshall). Mr Marshall’s was one of many tributes paid to Cardinal McKeefry by civic and Church leaders this evening. “I had many dealings with him on matters affecting Church and State,” said Mr Marshall. “He conducted himself with great dignity, sincerity, and devotion to his high calling. “He was universally respected as a wise, far-sighted, and very understanding prelate,” Mr Marshall said. ANGLICAN TRIBUTE The Archbishop of New Zealand (the Most Rev. A. H. Johnston) said that Cardinal McKeefry had been known and respected beyond his own Church as a fearless upholder of the Christian faith and its implications for daily living.

“I believe his elevation to the high and dignified office of a Cardinal of the Church

was as much a tribute to his own personal integrity and spiritual devotion as it was to the many other special gifts of ministry which he brought to his episcopal task,” Bishop Johnston said. “On behalf of the Anglican Church in New Zealand, I extend to the bishops, priests, and faithful laity of the Roman Catholic Church our very sincere sympathy on this loss of a man of God and a leader of his people.” | The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (the Rt Rev. G. F. McKenzie) said: “In the passing of his Eminence, the whole Christian community has lost a wise and good leader of firm convictions and generous good will.” The President of the Methodist Church in New Zealand (the Rev. W. R. Laws) said that the Roman Catholic Church had lost one of its most distinguished leaders and statesmen. “In these days of ecumenical relationships, Cardinal McKeefry displayed friendship to all sections of the Church and the community, and will be remembered with gratitude for his wisdom and his graciousness,” Mr Laws said.

The former Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland (the Most Rev. J. M. Liston) described Cardinal McKeefry as a man of towering intellect with perfection of judgment and firmness of character. The Cardinal, he said, had been his closest friend for more than 50 years. The Church had had a profound trust in Cardinal McKeefry, and people outside the Church had! also had confidence in him.f The present Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland (thej Most Rev. R. J. Delargey) said j that the death of Cardinal McKeefry would be felt! keenly in Auckland, as he had [ been a priest of the diocese.] “Many of the priests, in-] eluding myself, feel his deaths

as that of a close friend,”] Bishop Delargey said. “For] the Church at large, he was a very great churchman, dis-, tinguished by his loyalty to the Holy See, and by his] great personal humility.” SOCIETY OF ALCOHOLISM The president of the National Society of Alcohol-’ ism and Drug Dependency’ (Mr R. Johnston) paid tribute to the work Cardinal McKeefry had done for the society. “Over the years, he gave us a lot of understanding work and helped us greatly,” Mr Johnston said. “Members of our executives throughout New Zealand will miss his support and mourn his passing. His help was invaluable.”