CARDINAL MORAN ON THE WORK OF THE SOMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9048, 8 May 1888, Page 6

CARDINAL MORAN ON THE WORK OF THE SOMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

AN. EXPRESSION OF PATRIOTISM. Ox April 26 Cardinal Moran was presented with an address and a purse of £450, subscribed by the priests of the diocese. In acknowledging the presentation the Cardinal said:—

Looking back Upon the past few years we cannot but lift up our hearts in thanksgiving to the Inspirer of all that is good, in that the interests of reiigion have been faithfully attended to, the education of the children has not been overlooked, missions awakening the fervour of Christian piety have been celebrated in almost every district, in that, in a word, a great deal of good has been done, and many noble institutions have sprung into life to alleviate the sorrows of the poor, the sick, and the dying, and to spread around on every side the choicest blessings and consolations of genuine charity. The pioneers of the Faith in these vast colonies had many difficulties to contend against. They were beset with hostility on every side, and it was amidst tears and humiliations, which are without a parallel in the history of modern times, that the solid foundations of the Australian Church were laid. Most of these difficulties have been ere this overcome, and we have reason to rejoice that the Catholics of these colonies now enjoy the blessings of religious freedom. (Applause.) It is gratifying, too, to record that not a few of those who are separated from us in religious communion continue to show earnest sympathy, and prove themselves generous and devoted friends in aiding and promoting our works of charity. It will be a duty to pray that every blessing may be their recompense, and "it shall be our aim to correspond to such kindness by promoting peace and concord, Arid developing by every means in our power those charitable institutions which extend their benevolence to all, and through which the knowledge and the love of God are oftentimes brought home to the hearts of those who know not the teachings of Divine truth. (Applause.) It is to be regretted that outside the Catholic communion the prevailing spirit of the age throughout Australia is indifference to all religion. Our own experience would suffice to convince us of this, but it has been of late again and again attested in their public utterances by the heads of the various Protestant denominations. We must endeavour to preserve our flocks from the contagion of this indifference, by keeping alive in their hearts the love of our Blessed Lord, and by constantly reminding them of the consoling truths which he teaches through His Holy Church. This fair land, favoured and privileged by nature in so many ways, presents manifold opportunities and theatres of distraction and dissipation in which the heart is too easily led away from the paths of penance and from the Cross of our Blessed Lord. To remedy this we must impress upon our people those lessons of temperance and piety which religion commends, that they may perseveringly walk in the presence of God and prove themselves the children of His chosen inheritance. When, three years ago, I paid a short visit to Ireland, it was my hope that when again I would look upon her green hills 1 would find them lit up with joy and freedom, that the long era of her sufferings would have been closed, and that the consolations and blessings of peAce and prosperity would have smiled upon her. I fear that in this I shall be disappointed, for the meed of justice which by so many titles is due continues to be denied to her. lam confident that I faithfully echo your sentiments and express your wishes when I say that we are full of admiration and cordial sympathy for the heroism of patriotism of which Ireland's sons give every day abundant proof, and that from our inmost soul we pray a blessing upon their aspirations for genuine nationality—loyal aspirations on which the whole civilised world has set the seal of its approval. (Applause.) Before the priests separated, Cardinal Moran assured them that his visit to the Holy Father was a matter of solemn duty, and he added that when his visit was concluded he would, without losing a single day, set out on his return to Sydney.