LEAVING FOR ROME

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 54, 6 March 1922, Page 8

LEAVING FOR ROME

PRESENTATION TO ARCHBISHOP. O'SHEA

A large and representative gathering if Catholic'laymen of the Wellington Archdiocese, accompanied by the Rev. Father Mitchell, of the Redemptorist Fathers, and the Rev, Father Cullen, administrator, waited upon His Grace Archbishop O'Shea yesterday afternoon for the purpose of bidding him farewell mid God speed on the eve of his departure on his first visit to, Rome. Mr. P. D. Hoskins, oh behalf of the laity, voiced the appreciation in which they held the Archbishop's whole-souled and self-sacrificing work for the glory of .God and the salvation of souls. They recalled with gratitude the strenuous work for the cause of Catholic education and • the organisation 6f the Catholic Federation, his kindly help and encouragement in the various other Catholic societies, and his' fearless and" outspoken remarks and leadership in regard to the Bible-iu-schools movement, conscription of the clergy, the Marriage Amendment Act, and other matters. His Grace had been in their midst for thirty years, first as a curate, later as parish priest, and now ;'as Coadjutor Archbishop, and the laity ■'■were determined not to let him de_part without showing their appreciation in a "practical manner. They were there not .only to wish him farewell, but to present him wi%a;cheque;which represented donations "from nearly all-the parishes of .Tti.e ArcK'dipcese.""fThey trusted" that hot 'bnly would his health benefit by the trip, but that he would also have the necessary time to study the conditions .111 the Catholic world, so that the Catholics cf tl.e Archdiocese would benefit by •Ws experience. They desired the ArchIbishop to convey to His Holiness the Pope their loyalty, and filial obedience t. the Holy See, and to solicit for. them 'ttio favbrir of the Apostolic blessing. .They Hvished' him.' a good trip, and ■trusted that he would safely return to continue his work with renewed.vigour. The/Rev. Father Mitchell, C.S.S.R., .on behalfi of. the Redemptorist Fathers, supported the previous speaker in his appreciative remarks and good wishes. As one not long in this Dominion, he was delighted to learn of the progress and expansion of the Church in New Zealand, and His Holiness would be very much impressed when Archbishop O'Shea reported the excellent state of .the Church in- Wellington. Archdiocese t to him. I- Mr. J. V. M'Gowan supported the remarks of Mr. Hoskins and the Rev. Father Mitchell. ' \ Arclibishbp O'Shea, on arising to reply, 'received an ovation. He'thanked them for their kindness and for their appreciative remarks and good wishes. Reference had. been made to his strenuous ,\vork and his fight in the attacks made against the Church, but he had only per('formed- his duty. As a man of peace, ;he naturally disliked fight, but much ,is "lie disliked it, he found it his duty to ■rib so, and in these movements he had ,'the hearty support of the clergy and laity of the Archdiocese.' He was looking forward to his first visit to Rome, and'when he visited the various shrines of the Apostles in the Holy City he Would not forget them. He would also visit] America and another land very dear to him—lreland—but under very different .conditions^ for now she was a/Free State and a nation once again. He would have Jij-.ad, if irisJowh wishes-were consulted, to slip away quietly without any fuss, ■but they had decided otherwise, and he was grateful to them for their kindness. 'In conclusion, His Grace wished them good : bye, and^again thanked them for their kindness." The Marist .Fathers of. New Zealand also presented the Archbishop with a cheque, which, together with the cheque subscribed by the laity, made atofal of ; nearly £1000. • Archbishop O'Shea leaves by the Malama to-morrow, and .will'-be'absent for ' about nine months.