DEATH OF THE VERY REV. MONSIGNOR FYNES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7977, 17 June 1887, Page 5

DEATH OF THE VERY REV. MONSIGNOR FYNES.

There are none of thoee who have known the Very Rev. Monsignor Fynes who will not; receive with sincere regret the tidings of his decease, which occurred at hie residence at Parnell yesterday afternoon, about halfpast three o'clock, the cause of death being an internal complaint from which he suffered. In March, 18S5, he was seized with a severe cold which eettled upon tbe kidneys, and from which he never thoroughly recovered. A few weeks ago the disease grew more virulent, and by degrees he sank rapidly, until yoeterday, when thoso who wore in attendance with him saw that the end was near. Bishop Luck and the Rev. Fathers Downey, 0.5.8., Coatello, O'Reilly, and Kehoe were at Monsignor Fyues' bedside when he expired, he retaining his faculties to the last moment.

Few churchmen were more popular in our midst than Monsignor Fynes, who combined in himself all the qualities which are so much appreciated in a man of his cloth. A colonist (or nearly forty years, hie kindly features and gonial and cheerful disposition were familiar to many, and during his last illness he waa visited by friends of all classes and creeds, — amongst those who expressed their sympathy with him being the Ven. Archdeacon Mauneoll, Rev. G. H. S. Walpole, and Mrs. Cowie. Bishop Luck and the priests of St. Patrick's visited him daily, the Very Rev. Monsignor MoDonald frequently riding from Paumure to be present with him. The Rev. Fathers Costello and O'Reilly wore constantly in attendance upon the docea&ed prelate, tho former, who acted as coadjutor priest at Paruell, spending far into the watches of the night with him.

We append a biographical sketch of the late Vicar-General: — Monsiguor Henry James Fynes was born in London in the year 1822. He matriculated 'at London Utiiversity, shortly afterwards joining the Roman Catholic Church; and on coming out to New South Wales, when but a young man, he studied in theology at St. Mary's, Sydney, at the invitation of the late Archbishop Folding, and in ISJS was ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Sydney by the French Bishop of New Caledonia, who happened to be then in Sydney, aud who performed the ceremony at the request of Archbishop Poldiug. Father Fynes exercisod his ministry in New South Wales from 1545 to 1549, and for some time assisted the Abbot Gregory in his apostolic labours. In 1849 he came to Auokland, and was welcomed by the then Bishop of the diocese, Dr. Pompallier. Tho then capital of fhe colony was only in its infancy, and the difficulties of settlement were enormous, while the duties of a priest were anything but light. For some years Father Fynes laboured successfully at St. Patrick's, where his genial disposition aud straightforwardness of character won for him on all sides the love and esteem in which he had been held ever since. About the year 1851 he waa placed in charge of the military settlements of Howick and Panmure, where he spent about 20 years, and his name became a household word. In IS7I Bishop Croke removed him to Parnell, which had ever since been the scene of his priestly ministry. During the several periods in which the diocese was deprived of the presence of a bishop the delicate and difficult duties of devolved upon Father Fynes, who proved that he waa possessed in no ordinary degree of soundness of judgment, devotednesß to duty, aud a happy disposition of mind. Hβ had for several ysars acted as VicarGeneral for the dioceso, a position which he held at the time of his death. When Bishop (then Father) Luck proceeded to Koine to receive the charge of the Roman Catholic diocese of Auckland, ho obtained from tho Pope for Father Fynes the dignity of a private chamberlain of His Holiuess, with the title of Moneignor. The newlyappointed Bishop brought to Auckland with him the diploma conferring this honour upon the Vicar-Genoral, and on the eveniug of November 16, ISS2, when His Lordship was formally received by his people at St. Patriok's Cathedral, he presented Monsignor Fynee with the diploma. Bishop Luck's remarks on that occasion will serve to show in what esteem Monsignor Fynes was regarded. He said :" L have an announceinenc to make which 1 have no doubt will fall upon your ears with universal satisfaction While I was in Rome, and when this weighty charge was assigned to me, having long before and often heard of the great merit and untiring exertions of our beloved Vicar-General, Father Fyues, I appliod to His Holinees to give from his paternal love some recognition of his services long and zealously rendered to the charge. I obtained the honour of his being appointed one of the supernumerary private chamberlains of His Holiness, through which he is entitled to valued privileges, of which I hope he will avail himaolf. He will wear a purple caasock and other insignia, which it is cussomary for private ohamberlains of His Holineso to have."

For seTeral years Monsignor Fynes had been manager of St. Mary's Industrial School, and owing to his careful administration and untiring efforts the institution was latterly greatly extended and improved. We understand that Monsiguor Fynes has left a handsome bequest to the funds of the Orphanage.

In 1383 his life was endangered by an apoplectic fit, from which, however, he recovered. On the occasion of the opening of the new St. Patrick's Cathedral in March, 1885, he caught a severe cold, from which he never thoroughly recovered. Although suffering greatly, his cheerful disposition buoyed him up, until by degrees he was unwillingly compelled to yield to the severity of his malady, and the Rev. Father Coatello was appointed to discharge the parochial duties ttiat Mgr. Fynee' failing health had prevented him from fulfilling.

Mgr. Fynee received the last rites of the Church on June 5, at the.hands of tho Rev. Father Downey, and in the presence of His Lordship tho Rev. Bishop Luck, whose constant attendance during Mgr. Fynes' long illness has been tho subject of much favourable remark. After a lingering and painful illness, undergone with great fortitude and cheerfulness, the end came at last, and Monsignor Fynes expired peacefully and tranquilly, as stated yesterday afternoon.

Previous to the attack of apoplexy in 1883, to which we have referred, Monsignor Fynes was a powerful and eloquent preacher, and many of his stirring discourses are still remembered with feelings of pleasure by the older generation of the Catholic body in Auckland. THE OBSKQDIES. The remains of the deceased prelate were removed at seven o'clock yesterday evening to the Church of St. John the Baptist, Parnell, where they lay in state during the night. The altar aud body of the church had been decked in appropriate mourning garb, arranged by tho Sisters of Mercy, the catafalque npon which the coffin was placed being opposite the altar. A large number of mourners gathered during the night to offer their prayers for the repose of the soul of the departed priest, and to gaze upon his placid features, still in death. Hie body was robed in the alb, stole, chasuble, and the other vestments worn by the priest when celebrating niaee, on hie head being the threecornered hat; and in his hands were a rosary beads and crucifix. The remains will be brought to St. Patrick's Cathedral at halfpaet three o'clock to-day, where they will lie in state until to-morrow morning, when the funeral will leave for Waikomiti Cemetery at haif-paat nine.