NOTED VISITORS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22961, 12 February 1938, Page 15

NOTED VISITORS

PEELATE AND PRIESTS THE ARCHBISHOP OF TUAM ARRIVAL IN AUCKLAND TO-DAY ' /' Among the passengers arriving in Auckland to-day by tho Rangitiki from London are three distinguished overseas visitors who will attend the Catholic centenary celebrations in Auckland this month. One is the Catholic Archbishop of Tuam, Ireland, tho Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Gilmartin, while the other two centenary visitors are the Very Rev. Dr. Arthur Ryan, professor of philosophy at Queen's University, Belfast, and the Very Rev. Father Owen Francis Dudley, superior of the Catholic Missionary Society, London.

Archbishop Gilmairtin occupies a special place in Irish literary and ecclesiastical circles, and is recognised as an excellent speaker and a great thinker. Born near Castlebar in 1861 he studied for the priesthood at Maynooth, where he was ordained at the age of 23. He was appointed professor of mathematics at St. Jarlath's Seminary, where he taught with distinction for seven years before being transferred to Maynooth, where ho was dean for 12 years. Diocese Rich in History

In 1904 Archbishop Gilmartin was appointed vice-president of Maynooth, a position he relinquished in 1910, when ha was consecrated Bishop of Clonfert. In 1918 he was translated to Tuam as archbishop.

Tuam is a diocese rich in history and to the Irish Catholics it is hallowed by the presence of St. Patrick himself. It contains the famous shrine, Croagh Patrick, where St. Patrick prayed for 40 days and 40 nights that Ireland's faith would never fail. There have been many famous bishops of the diocese. Dr. Rvan is one of the most brilliant Irish priests, and is professor of scholastic philosophy at Queen s umversity. He was bora in. 1897 and was educated at St. Malacby's College and Queen's University, Belfast, the Irish College and Propaganda University, Rome. He is a doctor of divinity, doctor of philosophy and master of arts.

Scholar and Speaker Dr. Ryan has taught as classical master and professor of dogmatic theology, aid was appointed to his present position in 102 S. Dr. Ryan is regarded as one of the most distinguished scholars and lecturers in the Englishspeaking section of the Catholic Church and his addresses will be a feature or the centenary celebrations. The Very Rev. Father Owen Dudley is already'well known throughout the Catholic' Church as an author. He has written several books, some of wnicn have been translated into severai languages and transcribed into Braille. He "is a racy, fighting speaker, and tor the past 17 years tas been lecturing on philosophy and theology throughout England. Ireland, Scotland and Wales. He specialises in caravan tours to industrial and rural areas and conduces missions from a motor chapel. He a convert to Catholicism and was wounded in France during the breat War.