OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18759, 12 January 1923, Page 6

OBITUARY

RIGHT REV. MONSIGNOR COFFEY. Yesterday cable advice cam© to hand that the Right, Rev. Monsignor Oofltey, late Administrator of St. Joseph’s Cathedral, had died in St. John’s Hospital, Limerick, Ireland. News received some days ago was to the effect that Father Coffey was in a critical condition, and this in some measure prepared his many friends and admirers for the later fateful message. The late Father Coffey was one of the best-known Roman Catholic churchmen in the dominion, and it is safe to say that he was among Dunedin's best-known and beatliked citizens, his popularity being by no means confined to members of the religious

body with which ho was so prominently associated. Indeed, those who knew him intimately were wont to state that no other man received so many salutations, unmistakeably betokening a feeling of warm goodwill, as did Father Coffey when he walked through Dunedin's streets. Of a commiinding presence and strong personality, he was, at the same time, the embodiment of good nature, and among all classes and sections of the community ho was received with respect and affection. Ho was of a decidedly charitable disposition, and prominent in works of a social nature, his activities in the St. Vincent de Paul Society being worthy of special mention. During the w-ar he was an avowed supporter of the Empire, and ho was connected with various patriotic committees in the city. Father Coffey loved the land of his adoption, and his faith in its future is reflected in the institutional buildings erected during his 25 years’ residence in this city—buildings that are monuments to his energy

and organising ability. Tho cause of Roman Catholic education had in him a warm friend, and ho was mainly responsible for the erection of the now Christian Brothers’ School and Christian Brothers’ house. While resident at South Dunedin he also succeeded in raising the enthusiasm and the money which resulted in the erection of tho present Convent in that locality. Essentially an organiser. Father Coffey did not confine his abounding energies to buildings solely for the young, and the Roman Catholic churches at Kaikorai and Morn-

ing-ton are the outcome o£ his activities. Further, there was no work connected with the Church that did not have his sympathy and assistance, and when any undertaking was mooted in the diocese his advice was invariably sought. Father Coffey will be widely missed, both as a Roman Catholic and as a citizen.

The deceased was born in County Tipperary in 1867, so that he was 56 years of age at the time of his death. He was educated at St. John's College, Waterford, and there, too. he was ordained. Father Coffey arrived in Dunedin when he was 23 years of ago. Entering tho Dunedin diocese under tho late Bishop Moran, he first wont to Gore, where he was assistant to tho late Father Newport. A little time later he went to Lawrence, where ho became assistant to the late Monsignor O’Leary. His next move was to South Dunedin at tho time Bishop Vordon was Bishop of Dunedin, and for 10 years he was Administrator of St. Patrick's. Fathc Coffey’s next appointment was to the Administratorsliip of St. Joseph’s, a position he occupied for 17 years, and ho also acted as Administrator of the diocese for the period intervening between the death of the late Bishop Verdon and the appointment of Bishop Whyte. Last year the Pope recognised his services by honouring him with tho titile of monsignor, making ( him a domestic prelate. A year ago Father Coffeyleft on a visit to the Old Country, the state of his health and a desire to see his mother, who still lives, being his main motives in making the trip. Two of the deceased’s sisters are nuns in St. Dominic's Priory, and two cousins are memliors of the priesthood in the dominion. Requiem mass will be held in the Cathedral on Wednesday next.