HONOURED BY THE POPE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22284, 9 June 1934, Page 8

HONOURED BY THE POPE

REV. DR C. J. MORKANE The Rev. Dr C. J. Morkane, who has been raised to the rank of Monsignor in the Roman Catholic Church has for long been one of the most notable ecclesiastical figures in the Dominion. Some months ago he resigned from the rectorship of Holy Cross College, Mosgiel, and left for Europe. He is expected to return to the Dominion shortly. Dr Morkane celebrated his silver jubilee in May, 1932. This was an important event for Roman Catholic communities throughout the country, but particularly, of course, for Holy Cross College, to which Dr Morkane had devoted no fewer than 23 years of the 25 years of hia priesthood. His association with the college embraced almost its entire history, from the opening on May 3, 1900. Dr Morkane was the first student to go into residence at; and be ordained from, the Mosgiel seminary. After leaving Holy Cross College as a student, Dr Morkane (who took his M.A.

degree with honours at the University of Otago) studied lit Saint Patrick's College, Manly, Sydney, and in 1903 proceeded to the Urban College of Propaganda Fide, in Rome, where he was ordained in 1907, and where he received his doctorate of divinity. In 1910 he returned to New Zealand to join the staff of Holy Cross College as professor, and in 1920 he succeeded as rector Dr James M. Liston, now Catholic Bishop of Auckland. Dr Morkane resigned his position several months ago, when the college was taken over by an order of priests, and he left for England and Europe on an extended visit. One of Dr Morkanes most striking achievements was the founding of the Catholic Students' Guild movement, which spread rapidly and which is now flourishing throughout the Dominion. During his work at the college many of the priests now stationed in various parts of the Dominion, and some in places far afield, passed through his hands. Dr Morkane's wide scholarship and his authority as a student of history are known and recognised beyond the sphere of the church. He has for a number of years been a member of the Classical Association before which body he has lee- j tured on numerous occasions.