THE LATE BISHOP.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16806, 16 March 1915, Page 8

THE LATE BISHOP.

A CAREER OF USEFULNESS. Bishop Grimes was born in Middlesex, England, on February 11, 1842. He spent his boyhood and days of youth with the Marist Brothers, who, when ho was about thirteen years of age, • established themselves at St Anne's, Spitalfields, London. It was their influence that induced him to devote his life to the Church, and it was in their chapel at St Anne's that he was admitted as a postulant and novice. After completing his preliminary studies ; he went to college at Bar-le-Duc, in the Department of Meuse, France. From France he went to Ireland, where the theological part of his education was taken in_ hand. He was professed in the Society of Mary in 1867, and, at twenty-three years of age was ordained to the priesthood in University Church, Dublin, by Archbishop Whelan, of Bombay. He began his career as Professor of Literature and Classics at St Mary's College, Dundalk, but after a few years he decided to leave Ireland, and volunteered for the saine class of duties at New Orleans, in the United States. Later, he was appointed professor at Jefferson College, Louisiana, and became rector and president of that institution. While he was helping the clergy in a neighbouring district in 1878, he was attacked by yellow fever, which was very prevalent there at that time. He had a surprising recovery from the disease, and would have continued his work in America, but his superiors called him to take charge of the Missionary Training College belonging to the Society of Mary, at Paignton, South Devon, England. While he was working there, the Catholic Church was making progress in New Zealand. At that time Christchurch was a part of the Wellingtou diocese, in charge of Archbishop Redwood. In the early " eighties," it was felt that Christchurch should .be made a separate diocese. Popo Leo XIII. agreed to this, but the Australfan_ prelates, with Cardinal Moran at their head, asked hini to make no appointment until after the first Plenary Council had met in Sydney in 1880. The council unanimously decided to petition the Apostolic See to erect Wellington into a Metropolitan See and_ to create a new diocese, with Christchurch as its seat. Amongst the names of those submitted to the Pope as suitable for appointment to the charge of the diocese was Bishop Grimes. His Holiness accepted the recommendation, and made the appointment on May 7, 1887. At first. Bishop Grimes shrank from the responsibility the Popo wished to place upon his shoulders. He asked that he should bo spared the burden of an episcopate, a burden which, he said, the greatest saint* of the Church were unwilling to accept. He was urged' to yield, however, and reluctantly did so. When he had his first audience with the Pope, on his way <mt to New Zealand, his Holiness said to him: "You may confidently rely on the protection of the Most High, for you did absolutely nothing to bring about your appointment to this new and distant diocese." The consecration ceremony was conducted on July 26 iu the same year in the ohapel of St Anne's, with which his early life was so closely associated. Arrangements had been made for Cardinal Manning to be the eonsecrator. but illness prevented him from attending, and his place was taken hy Cardinal Vaughan, then Bishop of Salford. The co-conaecrators were Dr Butt, Bishop of Southwark, and Dr Patterson, Bishop of Emmaus. who also preached the consecration' sermon. Amongst others present were the Supe-rior-General of the Society of Mary, representatives of tho Fro ticiscan Fathers, Dominican Fathers and Marist Fathers, and of other orders of the church two New Zealanderf, Mr Martin i\mnedv, of Wellington, and Sir Charles Clifford, the first Speaker of the House of Representative*. The new Bishop did not leave England until the eoa of the year. He arrived at Lyttelton on February 2, 1888. accompanied by Archbishop Redwood, Dean Ginaty and' other priests, who had welcomed him in Wellington. ' Iu his boyhood, he had met two young missionaries who were setting out to I join the band of pioneer priests in New Zealand. Their charming affability. piety and_ heroism captured his youth- , ful affection, and on the day of their departure from the shores of Kngland he knelt down and' begged their blessing. Thirty years later, they were the ! first to welcome him to New Zealand, and to ;vsk his episcopal blessing. On arriving at Lyttelton, he ; celebrated in Sfc Joseph's Church his first mass in the diocese. Tn the afternoon hf came in a special train to Christchurch. A pleasant surprise awaited him. On leaving the railway platform' in the city he was conducted to a. carriage with a pair of bpautiful horses. The carriage and pair were the gift of a member of Ids flock, who in that way demonstrated his loyalty. The Bishop entered the carriage, and a long procession, with banners -and nnisit*. cicorted him to the presbytery in Barbadoes Street, where he was received ; with heartv cheers by a large crowd of adults and . children. Amongst tlio* j who went down to m°et hi-ri were the Anglican prelate. Bi«hop Hnrpr-r. Sir j Charles Bbwen and Sir Westby Perce- ' val. * i

The energy with which he carried on his work it shown by the fact that, only a few- days_ after his arrival he entered upon a visit of his diocese. As tlie boundaries t"ke in tho whole of Canterbury and Westland and a part of Nelson—some of the wildest and roughest country in New Zealand—the undertaking was not a light one. Thai,

•visit was the forerunner of thirteen others. On these occasions he went to nearly all parts of the diocese, travelline by train, trap and coach through fullies and over mountain passes, here is no church, convent or chapel jn the wide diocese in which he did not preach and minister. Fourteen years ago, when on on© of these visits, lie had a thrilling experience. When he, with four of his priests, was going from Jackson's Bay, South Westland, to rMdtika. in the «mall steamer Jano Douglas, exceptionally stormy weather was met with, and the little vessel had to seek shelter at Open Bay Island, which lies off the coast. For Some time no news of the vessel reached civilisation, and it was feared that all on hoard had be<»n lost. When the storm ahated " the vessel steamed out of its shelter and _ ran over to the mainland. Bishop Grimes's first thought was to reach the nearest telegraph office and communicate with his friends. But , h * found that the news of his safety had heen sent abroad, and there awaited him at the telegraph office many congratulatory messages. These came from persons representing all classes of the community, from the King—who was then Duke of York, and was visiting New Zealand—the Governor and the Prime Minister, to the humblest members of his Church. On this occasion he was amused by reading bis own obituary notice, published in a provincial newspaper on the West Coast. After residing in Christchurch for .three years he was attacked by a severe illness, which necessitated a long sea voyage and complete rest. He therefore went on a journey to Europe with the twofold object of renewing his health.and of reporting to the Holy See on religious affairs in the new diocese. He bad several interviews with Pope Leo XIII., to whom he presented addresses from the priests and peopre of Canterbury. In return his Holiness presented Bishop Grimes with a gold chalice for us© in the church. He visited some of the famous shrines in France and Italy, including the Holy House of Lorette at Nazareth. At the time of his visit to France celebrations were conducted in connection with the beatification of the Blessed Peter Louin Chanel, proto-martyr of Oceania, in event of special importance to the clergy of the Society of Mary, and Bishop Grimes officiated at the celebrations in several of the French cathedrals. On his return journey ho was received by some of the most eminent American prelateß, and at Louisiana, the scene of former labour, he i was greeted with marked enthusiasm. After his return he, with Archbishop Redwood, visited New Caledonia and the South Pacific islands. At New Caledorra he took part in the ceremony | of consecrating a new stone cathedral, ' opened several schools, and ordained priests. He made several other visits to the Old Country, on each occasion receiving a hearty welcome from the reigning Pope, who praised his work in this part of the world. His last visit was in 1913, when he set out to attend the Eucharist Congress at Malta. At Colombo, cholera raged on board the vessel, and he and 100 other paßsengers were attacked. He became so ill that he could not go to Malta, and had to stop at a nursing home at Marseilles. When he recovered, he went on to Lyons, where he was met by representatives of the Marist Fathers, and ho recunerated at one of their colleges in the South of France. In England and Ireland, he studied the conditions of the people. He made a_ note of the fact that he saw fewer signs of poverty in those countries than he had seen on his previous visit a few years before. On all sides he saw evidence of comfort and e2so amongst the working classes. There was an absence of drunkenness and of general destitution. One of bis most interesting experiences was a pilgrimage to Lourdes, in which he took part. There he had an opportunity to inquire into the case of a woman who was suffering from a severe malady, and who, after being immersed in the ' well, announced that she had been absolutely cured. He was ono of the International Commissioners at a medical . inquiry conducted by doctors of different nationalities into the antecedents of j the patients, the nature of the maladies j and' the circumstances of the cures. He ivas deeply impressed with the feeling ! of humanity shown throughout the pilgrimage. He heard sick people, carried on stretchers, praying that their neighbours might be cured rather than themselves. He saw leading public men and women and members of the aristocracy of the nations of Europe doing the most menial offices for the. sufferers. He spent much time in Italy, especially Tuscany. In Florence he visited the Chapel of the Annunziata, celebrated 1 for its famous picture of. the Madonna, painted by Bartholomeo in the thirteenth century. There is a legend that tho head of the Madonna was painted miraculously, and Bishop Grimes afterwards said that it was easy to believe that a face of such surpassing beauty could create that impression. Id several interviews he had with the Pope during that last vi«it, his Holiness said that he was delighted with the progress made by the Church in New Zealand, and gratified at. the good feeling shown towaixls Catholics by members of other denominations. Through the Bishop, his Holiness sent a special blessing to priests and people j in New Zealand, and expressed his in- j terest in their welfare, and his grati- i Lude for their zeal and devotion. In recognition of the goodwill "shown towards Catholics, his Holiness vent a special message to the priests, stating that ho particularly wished them to • take part in any work for the general good of their districts. Bishop Grimes still was Hiiffering from his illness. He was afraid, -indeed, that it had' shattered his constitution, and he felt that as a Bishop broken in health he could do little good in Chrisichurch aud it was his duty to resign. The Pope., however, refused to accept the resignation. By kind and sympathetic words, he cheered and strengthened the Bishop, who was" given courage to return and resume his work. When he reached Christchurch again, in the middle of December. Lie was further encouraged by an enthusiastic public welcome in the King's Theatre, by an address from the people, and by a cheque for £I3OO. The most notable monument to his devotion and. enthusiasm w the Catholic Cathedral in Barbadoes Street. Some years after he began his episcopal duties ho made up his mind that ;>• cathedral must replace the old wooden pro-cathedral. From the time that the idea took definite shape i" his mind until the building was erected he gavo the scheme close attention. Sonic years after his appointment to (ho episcopate he went to the Old Country for rest. Instead of resting he worked untiringlv for the cathedral scheme. In England. France, Ireland, Italy and Belgium he went from city to city, lecturing to the public and appealing to friends and acquaintances for funds, j He followed the same policy on his | journey back to New Zealand, speak-1 ing in many Centres in the United. States and Canada. In New York he gave nine addresses in one day and obtained £IOO. His efforts worn, so successful r.har when he returned to ChriKtchureh he had £3OOO as the foundation of the'cathedral fund. He was equally persistent and equally successful in his own diocese. Some members of his Church gave £IOOO, some a thousand guineas. Very few gave less than £1 Is. Many gave the savings of a lifetime. His efforts wero brought to complete success iu 1902, when the cathedral was opened by Archbishop C'arr, of Melbourne. At the celebration of his episcopal silver jubilee, on June -3. 1912, one of the preachers iu the cathedral the Bishop had erected compared him to Sir Gala- , had in the quest for the Holy Grail.

Tho preacher said that Bishop Grimes was a true knight, doing Knightly deeds for ' God and humanity. Ho had buckled on tho Sword _of tho Spirit, had hastened to the holiest of all wars, and, liKo Sir Galahad, had struck down every monster in his path and raised every helpless one.

At the silver jubilee celebratious the Pope recognised iiia zeal by conferring upon him the decoration of pastor, with the privileges and honours of Bishops assisting at tho Pontifical Ihrone. His Holiness joined him with tho domestic prelates, ajid ennobled him, placing him amongst those nobles both of whose parents belonged to tho order of Count. At the same time Bishop Grimes was given the privilege of celebrating mass in private oratories *nd of having a place in pontifical chapels reserved for bishops who are assistants at the Throne. The honour of Bishop Assistant at tho Pontifical Ihrone has been conferred on only fourteen other bishops in the Englishsneaking world. The Pope, through the latnarch of Jerusalem, created him a Bishop Knight Commander of the Holy Sepulchre,_and finally he sent a cable message convoying his congratulations on the celebration of the jubilee, and imparting a special apostolic blessing. The jubilee was marked by a gathering of the people of the diocese, 3000 of whom assembled in the Olympia Rink, and presented the Bishop'with au address, expressing their loyalty and wishing him every happiness and prosperity. The Bench, Parliament, the City Council and educational and other public bodies were represented at the gathering, and congratulatory messages were received from many prominent persons in New Zealand, Australia, America and the Old World. The address was accompanied by a cheque for £IO2O, which Bishop Grimes gave to the Cathedral Fund.

Ho believed that much good work could 1 bo done by guilds and confraternities, and lie encouraged these in different ways. One of his first actions when he assumed his duties in Christchuroh was to re-establish the Society of St Vincent de Paul. He also established the Sacred Heart Association of the Apostleship of Prayer throughout the diocese, and the arch-confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament. With special privileges granted by tho Holy See, he founded the confraternity of the Ladiea of Charity in this diocese. He intro> duced the Sisters of Nazareth to Oliristchurch, and established 1 Nazareth House, where old people are cared for He also established Mount Magdaia Home and St Bede's Collegiate School. Some years ago, he brought the Sistors of Mercy, to Christchurch. On his last visit to the Old Country, last year, he came into touch with the authorities of the order of the Nursing Sisters of the Little Company of Mary. He induced them to send members of the order to Christchurch, and a few months ago they established the Lewisham Hospital, on Bealey Avenue. He brought out representatives of seven different orders of nuns. He built sixty churches, nine boarding schools or high schools, twenty-six primary schools, and many chapels and other buildings. Sfhce he arrived at Lytteltou i'n 1888, the ohUrch and scholastic properties acquired in Christchurch alone cor.t £170,000. He was a pleasant and vigorous preacher, and a good conversationalist. He did a good deal of literary work, publishing several theological pastorals and controversial pamphlets. He believed that priests should foster the public spirit amongst those who came under their caro, and he took an active interest in the public affairs of this city. He was a member of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College for many years, a member of the Philosophical Institute, and' a vicepresident of the Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

A TRIBUTE FROM BISHOP JULIUS. On tho news being conveyed to Bistiop Juluis yesterdaVj His Lordship eaid:— " Tho loss occasioned by the death of Bisaop Urira.es Will De felt by many other tnan the members of his own communion. As one who has served with him for many years in many public institutions, and has been closely associated with him in matters of public interest for the last five and twenty years, 1 can beijji witness to his genuine loyalty,, his Christian courtesy, and his broad sympathies. In the naano of the Anglican communion I tender to the members of the Roman Catholio Church our respectful sympathy in tho loss they have sustained." THE MAYOR'S SYMPATHY. "'.lt is with fincero regret that I learn of his Lordship's death," remarked the Mayor (Mr H. Holland.) " It was my pleasure to meet him. as a. colleague on the M'Lean Institute Board of and during my three years' experience of him. I found him to be a man of broad ideas and good judgment, and I am sura his loss will be severely felt by the citizens of Christchurch as a whole. He was a very fine, broad-minded mail, with a very high idea of responsibilities, and he always had the interests oi tho peoplo at heart. His place will be very hard tc nil." TELEGRAMS OF CONDOLENCE.

Amongst a great number of telegrams of condolence received by Dean rtillti yesterday from all ptu-ts of the Dominion were the following:— Sir Joseph Ward:—"Deeply regret to hear of the death of Bishop Grimes, which is a great boreavenient to hie own church and people, and' a sad loss to the Dominion. His warm interest- iu all that concerned huruauity, and his wide sympathies endeared him to the whole community, and will keep liis miJiie and work in affectionate remembrance." _ Bishop Yerdon (Dunedin): —" Deeply regret Bishop's death. Accept my sympathy." Aichbishop O'Shea '.Wellington) : '' I offer my deepest 3}anpathy to yourh«?li and diocese." Mr Martin Kennedy (Wellington):— • ; Kroru Mrs Kennedy and myself, ac-t-opt- condolence on the death of your dear Bishop. His place will be difficult to fill, not only for your diocese, but also a* a citizen representative or the Catholic Church in t.he Dominion."

Telegrams ir"rp also received from Father Coffey (Duiiedin), Dean Smith (Marist Provincial). Archdeacon Devoy uud Dean Regnault. (Wellington), and many others. The members of the Marist Brothers Old Hoys' Association assembled last night and oa-ssed a resolution of condolence with the priests of the diocese in the sad lc»s they have sustained by the death of his Lordship Bishop Grimes. Bishop Grimes had been patron of the- association for the past lour years. AT THE CITY COUNCIL. At last night's meeting of .tho City Council, the Mayor (Mr 11. said that ho could not let the. uccasion pass without making reference to the loss tho city had' sustained in the death of Bishop Grimes. Immediately on receipt of the news he had given the Town Clerk instructions to lower the Hag to hall-mast. They would all recognise that the deceased geutlema.il Lad "held » responsible position in' the city, and his death -would be vei-y much regretted, lie moved—" That tho Christchurch City Council places on record its deep sense ot the loss mstaiued by the citizens of Chn.<ichureh by the death of the Rev J .T. Grimes, D.D.. Bishop or Cbristolmrcb, and tenders its deepest sympathy with tho dec-ens. J gentleman's friends and relations. • The motion was carried in silence,-the councillors standing.

HIBERNIAN SOCIETY. ■ The news of the death of Bishop Grimes tvas received with deepest re gret by tho members of the Hibernian Society last evening. The following resolution was passed in silence, tho members standing:—"That the members of the Hibernian Society learn with very sincere regret of the death of our beloved Bishop, who laboured so faithfuhy amongst us for the past twenty-six years, and as a tribute to his memory we adjourn this meeting without transacting any business, and that a letter of "sympathy, dolenco •be sent to tho V iearGeneral."