CARDINAL GILROY’S MESSAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26614, 10 November 1947, Page 4

CARDINAL GILROY’S MESSAGE

SPIRIT OF UNITY

EXAMPLE OF FIGHTING FORCES “This country has grown to nationhood by the devoted, intelligent industry of its citizens of all classes. In that growth has developed the spirit of unity that flowered to perfection in the heroes of the fighting forces. That spirit of unity must be maintained and fostered by all without exception. To be divided is to court destruction as a nation. To be united—the strong and the weak, the old and the young, rich and poor, learned and dull, is the sure means to retain securely a glorious heritage, to employ it advantageously and to bequeath it undiminished to posterity,” said Cardinal Gilroy, Archbishop of Sydney, in a Remembrance Day recorded talk which was broadcast last night. ' “ Those whose memory we recall to-day—and cherish—died for this ideal, and that ideal is ‘ for God and country.’ Let us so live as to honour them by our living and to make sure that the memory of them may never die,” he said. Cardinal Gilroy said that it was fitting that an Australian should be intimately associated with New Zealanders on Remembrance Day, as Anzac had united the two countries with imperishable bonds. Pride in the achievements of the heroes of the race vied with its gratitude. Genuine gratitude did not ston at words, but expressed itself in deeds. His prayer for the fallen in the two wars was, “ Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.” Continuing, Cardinal Gilroy said that those who were left behind must live for the cause for which so many had died. “Undoubtedly sacrifices will be demanded of us that we may succeed in doing that. It pains to refrain from pleasure and profit that are contrary to the Law of God. It is irksome to fulfil obligations and make concessions demanded by the. common good. Human nature yearns to be served; recedes from what hurts. Yet the sacrifice asked of us, however great it may be, sinks into insignificance when compared with that made by those whom we, salute as ‘ our glorious dead.’ The example given by those who died, an example followed so closely by their companions in arms who v/ere prepared to die but who were spared to live, should be an inspiration to all of us. They were united in mind and heart; so must we also be. No One Self-sufficient

No one among them, whatever his rank, no group of them, whatever their quality, pretended to be selfsufficient. They were parts of a body, and the body needed that each part should function harmoniously for the body itself to fulfil its purpose. Each one did his duty faithfully and helped his faltering and halting companion as much as he could. They scorned the coward, the traitor they abhorred. “ Here are our models —the heroes of our race. We have the solemn duty to preserve the heritage for which they died. Each one of us must faithfully do his part. Our duty is personal, whatever be our station in life. We may not leave to others what we ourselves are supposed to do. No one nor any group may replace us in the duty that we should personally fulfil. We, are members of a body—which is human society—and that body can achieve its purpose only by the separate members being faithful to their trust. “ No person, no class may look upon others and say, “ You have no purpose. We are sufficient of ourselves. We do not need you.” All are. required who have the will to work for the cause for which brave men have died. All who enjoy the citizenship of the nation by birth or by adoption have a contribution to make to the common good.”