DEATH OF BISHOP LUCK.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10597, 18 February 1896, Page 2

DEATH OF BISHOP LUCK.

Auckland, January 23.

The Most Eev. John Edmund Luck, 6.5.1J , Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, died this morning from heart disease. Daring'the last 10 days Bishop Luck lias been gradually getting weaker. His medical attendants, Drs M'Kallar and Darby, did all that medical skill could accomplish, but without avail, and ho was carefully nnraed'.by Mrs, Keohe Dompsey, of the North Share Convalescent Home, who was in constant attendance. The bishop wag able ; to"."go about a little, but had to be carried up and down stairs by the lay brothers. OnTVVednesday evening he was brought downstairs to tea, and shortly afterwards (half-past 6) he was seized with spasms of the heart. Drs M'Kellarand Darby were telephoned for, and. were speedily in attendance. The patient was treated in tho dining room for some time, arid carried up to his bedroom at 10 o'clock. The medical men regarded the seizure as premonitory of the end, and Dr Darby remained all night. The bishop passed a* restless right, and slept little—a good deal of the time in a cbair, owing to.having a great difficulty in breathiDg and being unable to Ke down. After 2 a.m. to-day ho'became a little easier, and slept at intervals till 6 o'clock. At that hour his private secretary, .Father Pintsn, went to say mass at the Home for tho Little Sisters of the Poor, when the Bishop said to him,," Remember me in.your prayers." A few miaatea afterwards, while the bishop wss in the act of being removed to bed, he was seized with fresh spasms of the heart. He gave an exclamation of "Oh," a'few gasps, placed his head forward on Dr Darby's shoulder, and almost instantly died. Those present at the time of death were: Father Luck (the deceased bishop's brother), Dr Darby, a lay brother. Brother Qnido, and nurse. Bishop Lack was conscious from the first, seizure that he was dying, and was calm and collected and perfectly resigned to his fate. Father Lack arrived on Saturday from Waikato, being apprised of the real state of affairs'— that his brother's life was a mere matter of days. The hoisting of tho Bag half-mast high on the bishop's palace soon proclaimed the sad tidings of his decease to tbe people of the eurroundiDg neighbourhood and the city, and the fl*g« were subsequently hoisted half-mast at the city flagstaff, Albert Park, the ranDicipsl buildings, and at the fire brigade boll tower. Many tradespeople also put np their shutters as a murk of respect. Th« convent bell tolled at intervals throughout the day. ; ■ -

Telsgrams of condolence were received from Archbishop Redwdod (who arrives on Wednesday), Bishop Grimes (of Christchareh, who is expected here by tha g.i. Takapuna. on Saturday morning to take part in the funeral obsequies and conduct the burial service), and the clergy in the other dioceses. The body of the deceased bishop has been tehea to his private cbapel, where a number oE the faithful have visited it as a token of respect. It will be removed to-morrow to St; Patrick's Cathedral, whete it will lie in state till Saturday. At 7 p.m. a solemn dirge will be chanted in the cathedral, and on Saturday morning a solemn lequiem masß will .be -sung s.t 11 o'dosk. The funeral will taJre place shorlly afterwErdsi the cortege leaving lor the. Ca«hol'o Cemetery, Onehung'a, tbe deceased bishop being interred there according to his expressed wish—one which was in his mind many years ago. About a week ago Father Lenehan was appointed administrator, in conjunction with too Rev. Monsignor Pan!. V.G. .......

The Most Rev. John Edmund Luck, Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, was born on March 18, 184-0, at Peokham, on the Bouth nida of the Thames. He the fifth W)u of the late Mr Alfred Lack, who became converted ti the Church of Rome, and was on the defi.*h of. his wife accepted as a priest. The deceased prelate received his early education at St. Edmund's .College, Hertfordshire,- find: then studied under the Benedictine monks at-Rams-' gate, for whom hia fathsr had undertaken to build a monastery at his own expense. Ho then proceaded to Paris, and after, studying there went to Italy, where he received tb.fi habit of the Benediotine Order in IS6O, and made his profession in ths following year. Ha continued his theological studies at Use Collegio Romano, and took his D.D. degree in 1865, being ordained a priest in the same year. He was then appointed Superior of ti.e monsstory at Ramsgate, and was coasect&ted Bishop of Auckland at St. Augnfitine's, Bamngaie, ou the 13th August 1882. During the 15 years he has had charge of fcbe Auckland diocsse 18 ■ churches ■ have been built, St.. Patrick'a Cathedral wa3 enlarged, and ii large number of new schools started and teachers introduced into the colony. He also-built a new and fide house for himself. He was.an accomplished writer,'and has published several books. ' : ■>-..-;. ;