FIJI CATHOLIC MISSION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 20 April 1922, Page 6

FIJI CATHOLIC MISSION.

DEATH OF BISHOP VIDAL

ARRIVAL OF NICOLAS

SUVA, April 10. The mission field in the Pacific is much the loser by the death, on April 2, of the Right Rev. Dr. Julian Vidal, Titular Bishop of Abydos and VicarGeneral of Fiji.

The deceased prelate was 76 years of age, and was born in Avignon, in France. Reared in the Marist community, he came to Samoa in 1873, and showed a surpassing zeal and energy. When it was felt that the Fiji mission, carried on so earnestly by the Rev. Father Breheret, wanted a young and active bishop to guide its destinies, Dr; Vidal was chosen, and from 1887 the growth of the mission was a fitting tribute to his zeal. He was consecrated in France, and, being a zealous educationist, he obtained teachers for schools in Suva and Levuka, which to-day have developed into large day and boarding establishments. To obtain funds to build Suva. Cathedral, for which the very stones were brought from Sydney, he made several trips to Europe in order to raise funds.

The Catholic Mission in the Solomons had been withdrawn owing to the hostility of the natives, and the Society for the propagation of the faith invited Bishop Vidal to re-establish it, which he did in spite of much risk and opposition.

Personally he was of a very cheery, lovable disposition. A few years ago he was partially incapacitated by paralysis. He was recognised as the leading conchologist in the Pacific, and donated a large and lovely collection of shells to the Fiji Museum.

His funeral at Levuka was very largely attended.

His coadjutor, Bishop Nicolas, titular Bishop of Panopolis, has been on mission propaganda in America and Europe for over 18 months, and fortunately returned a few days after Bishop Vidal's death. He received a large and ceremonial welcome by natives and Europeans.