THE LATE BISHOP MOHAN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10397, 27 June 1895, Page 4

THE LATE BISHOP MOHAN.

CEREMONY OF THE MONTH'S MIND,

The month's mind of the late Dr Moran, first Roman Catholic Bishop of Duaedin, was celebrated with fitting ceremony in St. Joseph's Cathedral'yesterday. The attendance ot members cf the monrning community was very lavge, the cathedral baing crowded during the service v which were of an iiiprt-S'ive kind. The catafalque, upon which the mortal remains of .the' late bishop were placed prior to the burial, had again been erected, and! many; wreaths, which had been forwarded in loving memory oE tha departed pontiff, were deposited on it. The-ceremonie-t commenced at 10 o'clock with a' solemn office of the dead, the lessons bsiDg .read by Fathers Mackay (Oimaru), Walsh (Riverton), and O'Leary (Lawrence), the three senior priests■ of :.the diccese. The solemn office was followed by high mass of requiem, celebrated by"the Eight Rev.' J.1 J. Grime?; S.M., D.D., Bishop of Christchurch, the "Very Rev. Father Mackay, Adm. (Oamaru) beiDg the assistant, prieat. The Rsv. Father Regnaulfc, S.iVL (Waim&be), representing the priests' of th'i diocese of Ohristchurcb; was the deacon, and the Rev. Father J. O'Nejli (Milton) snbdeacon, and'the Bey. Fathers Murphy and Ho<vard acted as masters of certmonies. The following priests also took pars in the ceremonies:' The V^ry ReV. Father Lynch, A'dm., the Very Rev. Father Sheehan (Ophir), the Rev. Fathers Newport (Port Chalmers), Burke (Queenstown), Vereker (Invercargill), Hunt (South Dunedin), P. O'Dounell (Gore), M'Mullan (Oamaru), P. O'Npill'(Gore), J. J. O'Donnell (Palmerston), ODea (Invercargill), Cofiey (Lawrence)* and Ryan (Milton).: Father* J. iO'Neill and Ryan acted as chanters. The music was Effectively rendered by the Cathedral Cbdir, who sang; in harmony " Benedicfcus," "De Prbfundis," and "Dies Irae." Mr A. Vallis, who presided at the organ, played Guilmint'a " Marche Funebre" after the mass.

' Bishop Geimbs delivered an eloquent eloge upon the life, character^ and works of the deceased prelate, basing his remarks upon the text; " Oinds,-who had been High Priest, a good and virtuous man, rncdest iv his looks,' gentle in his manners, and grace! ul in his speech; and who from a child was exercised'in virtues, holding up his hands prayed for all the people; . • . • i' •' This is' a lover of his brethren and of the people of Israel" (2 BTschsb. xv,' 12-14). Ju-tone mouth ago, his Lordship said, they had assembled "within the hallowed walls of that cathedral to pay a tribute of respect to the illustrious, pontiff who had been instrumental in raising, it to the glory of the-Most High. It was a solemn but a. sad sight and one. that he would never forget—that of priests and people bidding farewell to one whom thsy had always looked on as their beloved chief arid whom then they saw stretched before the altar of the God he had always served so well. Before the precious remains were' carried to their last resting place the voice of their metropolitan was heard pronouncing a panegyric upon thefirst Bishop of Dunedin and the words he spoke "went home to the hearts of allpreJent; but though that panegyric was eloquent in the extreme, yet the preacher ventured to affirm it was followed by another that was even more eloquent still. ■ What could be more eloquent than the audible sobs and sighs and the sorrow- | ful tears of^yoiing and old, and rich and poor, and hi{|h. arid low as they surrounded, or aceom-' pained to their earthly home, the remains of him who had'been'in life their counsellor, their' guide, their father, or their friend, Nor was this manifsstatioii entirely curiflned to his own'! flock,'for clergy and the principal members 6f various denominations came arid mingled their ; sorrow with that of the Catholic denomination. The preacher Supposed no sachjsight; had ever been witnessed in Dunedin. "t turried out in its thousands' to-ehow itj'respsct for him who had won that raspectby bis almost literal fulfilment of ths divinely inspired words which had been chosen for the text. But why should he ; speak to them > that day ? Could aught be added to what had ' already been spoken or .written in praise of their beloved bishop ? Of himself, he (Bishqp Grimes) would not have presumed to break in upon their sorrow that day or dig deeper'wounds that he would fain strive to heal. He had meant to come and mourn once more with them, but he had meant to be silent save for uniting with them in prayer. Last week, however, the administrators of that widowed diocese had waited on bitn and begged him to come not only to celebrate the mass of the month's mind, bob to speak to them : and he could not refuse the request. In'complying wjth that request, which they told him embodied the wishes both of priests and people, the words which he had chosen for his text camp readily to his mind. Did they uot vividly portray the chief characteristics of the saintly prelate whose departure from amongst them they had all so much reason to mourn ?: Was he not in the estimation of all a true high priest, a truly good and virtuous man ? Did they not look with loving admiration upon him us they saw him;for so msny years holding up his arms in prayer for them' and ali his people ? Were not. the virtues of which the inspired writer spoke characteristic of his life? Did he not chrrish theai frdm hia very childhood as youth, priest, student, and bifhop?' Did he riot fulßl thena almost to the letter ? preacher tbea rapidly glanced at the career of the late Bishop'Morau, who, be said, came from a land that for centuries had been the' cradle of Christian heroes, the very nursery arid hdaae of saints and sages. Bishop Bloran was wont to call New Zealaiid the Ede<i of tha world, and there was no one who had the interests of New Zealand more at beart than he. ' Some of the staunchest friends their lats) bishop had in the colony were people of different races and religions. Wheu' it was Bishop Moran's duty to attack it was principles, mS men, which he attacked. Of their beloved pas'sor the preacher might say what a PrQtflstaut review wrote of the illustrious Cardinal Newman : —" Few men have so completely lived their life in the great Taskmaker's eye. He had the head of a lawyer, the heart "of a ss-int." It was due to his life more than to his doctrines, and his presentation of them that so marked x a, chauge of public opinion had occurred about bin church. "After all," again quoting from low review, "men judge craeds by the character they produce rather than by the lcgie.il consistence of their doctrines " It

was matter of history that at the advent of Bishop Moran in Dunediu their holy religion was. little known, aod, perhaps, far less respected. Caiiiclica received but scant courtesy from '.hair fellow colonists. At time* they were unjustly and grossly attacked. Bishop Moran took up the ciidgtis in defence of his people and their faith, and wrote in that ter«e style that

was so chai acterii>tic of him ; but the local press, utilike tbe press of to-day,. refused to publish hi* replies, and then it was that he stinted a Catholic organ in defence of his people. From that time forth, instead of violent antipathy or

supercilious contempt, his people received one respect and sympathetic admiration of their fellow citizens. No, doubt this was partly due fco the bettor knowledge that wss obtained of their holy religion and its practices, bub it was aleo dus in no slight measure to the practical saaetity. She life, and the virtues of Bishop Moran. Men could noC but admire the fine character he displayed. That he loved the beauty of God's house that grand cathedral proved. It was a spanking monument of his uufiiggiug zeal, and of th.c generosity of the people and of their united love and devotedness. Every day of his life that true high priest loved to stand atthsfoot of God's ;iltar and offer the adorable sacrifice whea ho held out his arms and prajed for his flock. He found strength, comfort, nud consolation in offering the adorable sacrifice. Just two years ago last Sunday he offered the tremendous sacrifice for the last time—on the fe*st of Our Lady of Perpetual Puccour. During the last two years of his life he was deprived of that great ccnsolatioD, but whenever he could he always had holy mags celebrated in his room, and it was the preacher's privilege to celebrate it for him nearly every time he came to visit him in his illm ss. The fervour with which he received the communion was a sourcs of edifica.tion to all prrstnt. He was too true a bishop not to love all the helpful devotions of the holy church ; but Kmongst all the devotions if he chprished one more than the rest it wss the beautiful devotion of the rosary, and he

ordered that to be rendered daily in Danedia long before the. Holy Father ordered ib to be rendered in all the cathedrals of Christendom. The, last time they beheld their ; beloved bishop in church was on the 17th March, the feafrt of St. Patrick. He was then powerless to address them. They would forgive him (Bishop Grimes) if he recalled the deep emotion they must have felt whea they, heard his farewell words " Pray for me," he said, " my brethren, that God may give me a holy, a happy death, and a favourable judgment." Sickness tried all, few were improved, thereby. 'The greatest men iosb their heioism.-when stretched on bed with sickness, and the .saying was, " Few are heross to their own valets." Bishop Moran's sickness was a long and trying on^,' extending over a period of two years, but tho»e who nursed and attended to him during that time testified tbab the virtues which characterised him in health came out, if possible, in still bolder relief during those weary months. In the midst of his suffering he showed himself alv/ays 11. truehighpriest, aaxious for the-welfare of his flock. Often did he grieve to the preacher ihft-t h» could.do nothing for them but sufcer and pr*y, bathe (Dr Grimes) ventured to remind him that he was dqjng liiuch in, governing them, and governing them well."His modesty and. humility in the midst of excruciating painß, aiid his. seeming/, playfulness when painful. operations were to be undergone, were the wonder and praise! of. all who .bebeld them. ,Often he spoke; of ihe unremitting kindness oE his physicians, of. the priests, and of the devoted members of his hcurehold, and one who was an eye-witness of his Joug-suffering patience—one who' was a. non-Catholic—the preacher heard say; "If there were more.Dr Morans- there would-be fewer infidels in the world;" There were many' reverend fathers present who knew Bishop Mbran long«r'than he (Dr Grimes) did, but he learnt to. know and appreciate him as thoroughly as if• he i had known him for the whole, of his/life. Bishop Mpran.gave him m3nymarkei of his confidence, and in unfolding to him the' history of "his life confided to him secreis which were to be buried in his breist till' long after his death. For a, time ib was fondly hoped that in spitVof. his long prostration he would be spared to his-flock. All thati •science'andrskiir and attention could do was done, for him, aud these together with the fervent prayers\whi'ch his people and the rest of New Zealand offered on behalf of toe beloved bishop no doubt prolonged his life and gave him more time to prepare to meet his God.face to face. It Was a merciful act of the, Almighty, and W6ll ; did. : recognise and appreciate the. act .of grace; but: at length the sad news was 'flashed across New Zealand that the''high pries!; of Dune'din was no 'more, that a good and virtuous Mad gone from among»t v?, and that we were the loss." No sooner was the sad news made koowrithan sympathetic messages poured io from all parts of the colony—from.men in every? position in the Church and State. All good men and trus felt that-we had sustained a national loss, and the spontaneous demonstrations which this city.and church witnessed were more eloquent than the most eloquent words in proviDg;hpw much he. was: esteemed. Death was a revetetiori. - It drew aside the veil which might'have long shrouded from ordinary eyes tha virtues' and.vices,- the faults' and failings, from the departed,'and the death of Bishop Bloran brought to light qualities; which were previously thought to be known to'few save his own people.; Hence the universal outburst oE regret,' the general chorus of praise which resounded throughout New Zealand. All' proclaimed with one accord their,-esteem for him whovhad won it by his love of humility, his love of duty, and his love of. truth., AH feifc that a model prelate had gone from amorigst us. ,The poor blessed the memory of a generous benefactor;-. the priests realised that they had losba'guide, a cbi£f the most wise and" gentle; all mourned , the. loss of a father or friend1. The youngest of the flock keenly felt the lois— a loss' which .they must trust . would not: be irreparable. They had lost a valiant, a fearless chainpion-of^their rights. He never laid down his weapons jn defence of the' great heritage of their forefathers —; the gift of the faiuhV-and he knew'-they must" (treasure'it in order\that they ihight. have a*' sound;-'solid, Christian,! catholic educations One of his last public! acts "was to . join lus brethren of the \ episcopate in claiming for them a small measure of justice; - Another portion of the people of Israel .there was to" w^hom his death must have proved/the; bitterest of bipWß— the cbiisecrated spouses of ..Christ,: who were, always so dear to his paternal heart.: While the Church blessed'and; respected the legitimate regrets of thei people,/'the^'preacher went' on to say. she bade them cherisa the memory, of their beloved bisliop. tolbe faithful to his teachings, imitate his example^ walk invKis footstept; nay more, she would have them go. to the tomb and listen to him,.who, .f« being, dead, yet. speaketh " out of the'silence-of," the'tomb. His whole life was a sermon,,;the burden, thereof being obedience, love of' dutyy lofer.of the brethren,'love of the Church of God, and love of their neighbours as themselves ; and it behoved thetn.tb resolve to put into *pra,ctice. all that he taught during his life and ail. tha^he was1 teaching now that he was:;no mote. -The bishop proceeded to say tiiaiit waahis duty to recall one last and most important duty which they had to fulfil that morning. Tfi.ey.were assembled to pay one more tribute. of religious; respect to the memory of a saintly bishop, but this must not; be a barren tribute/ ana- in'the midst of- their grief they must., notj;fprget' the words of .the.' inspired writer-f-" It' is a. holy and wholesome thougtb to; pray for the .'dead that they may be loosed from their sins." The holiest on earth were not free from some slight- stains,which must be expiated in > thY cleansing flames of purgatory. Bishop Grimes then directed the thoughts of the congregation to«the last absolution which'was about to be performed. ''■.'':..■ ;

Diitipg the delivery, of the sermon many of those, present we're- deeply moved,.and as the preacher concluded the whole congregation ■ dropped, on theirknees and joined in the prayer expressed by,him-: '!? Grant, O Lord, we beseech Thee, this mercy t unto Thy servant Patrick, departed,' that,' having desired to do- Thy will;, he ; may. hpfc suffer in,.return for his'■deeds';':' and as. by^ the true faith he was . joined to",the company, of. the faithful hers, below, so may Thy, tender mercy unitei him' among' the angelic ''hoirs above. A'rheo. Eternal reafc give to him, O Lord ; and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faitjiful departed though the . mercy of God ie'sti in peace." Amen." -. "