BISHOP VERDON'S VISIT TO EUROPE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 18

BISHOP VERDON'S VISIT TO EUROPE.

PRESENTATTON OF AN ADDRESS.

At the conclusion of the vesper service at St. Joseph's Cathedral on Sunday evening an address was presented to Bishop Verdon on the occasion of his approaching departure to Homo. "When the service was concluded the bishop took his seat on the throne, and the following gentlemen took their places within the sanctuary: — Messrs J. B. Oallan, O. E. Baughton, I. W. Petre, D. W. Woods, J. A. Scott, and J. Lislon. The following members of the clergy were also present : — The Rev. Fathers Cleary, Murphy, Ryan, and Coffey. Mr Callan, before reading the address stated that they had asked his Lordship to be present that evening under the following circumstances. They had learned only a few weeks ago that his Lordship was about to visit Europe, .and it was decided. by the congregation that he should not be allowed to depart in silence.' It was only fitting that advantage should be taken of the opportunity of expressing to his Lordship their sense of the respect and esteem which they entertained towards him, and of their appreciation of the works lie had inaugurated since he had come into their midst. Accordingly it was agreed that an address expressive of these sentiments should be presented to him that evening, in the presence of that large gather-

ing of the congregations belonging to the Cathedral and South Dunedin. To-morrow night a less formal gathering would be held in the lia.ll which his Lordship had that day blessed, and the parishioners would then seize the opportunity of individually taking his hand, and wishing him a prosperous voyage to Europe and a safe return to ' his diocese. " Mr Callan then read the address as follows : — Address of the Catholics of Dunedin and suburbs to the Most Rev. Dr Verdon, Lord Bishop of Dunedin, on. his departure for Europe in April, 1899.

Having learned that your Lordship is about at once to visit Europe on the business of your diocese, we cannot allow tho occasion to pass without expressing our sense of the high esteem in which we hold you.

The few short years of your administration of this diocese have been marked by good and useful work. We are indebted to you — amongst other things clone in the interests" of your flock — for the establishment of the Orphanage at South Dunedin. This institution, under the devoted caro of the Sisters of Mercy — whom you have introduced into this diocese — promises to become a source of immense good in our midst.

The new hall — with its library and gymnasium — in Rattray street, will also niltil i useful purpose by affording an incieased means for the mental and physical educacion and amusement of our youth. We understand also that you have just establiahwi o, seminary for the education of young

men for the priesthood. We fully recognise the importance of this undertaking and fervently hope that, under your experienced guidance, tho institution may grow to be. as 'Successful as those over which your Lordship lias presided in other countries.

We regret that the time at our disposal before your Lordship's departure does not permit of our giving you some practical, proof of our esteem; but knowing, as we do, that your visit to the old country is chiefly undertaken to supply the needs of the diocese, v.c hope, on your return, to show that we appreciate your work by aiding you in-, it to the best of our ability.

Meanwhile we heartily wish your Lordship a pleasant voyage, and that you may return to your sacred duties with renewed strength and health.

Signed on behalf of the clergy and laity of Dunedin and suburbs by P. Murphy, J. B. Callan, C. E. Haughton, John Carroll, P. "W. Pctre, Jas. Coffey, Francis Meenan, James Listen, J. J. Connor, J. A. Scott. Dunedin, April 9.

Bishop Verdon, in replying, said, — My dear friends, your beautiful address has afforded me great pleasure, for you have spoken words of kindness and encouragement to me. I need scarcely tell you that I value very highly your expression of esteem. During the past three years you have given many practical proofs of your goodwill. I hope that nothing will ever occur to lessen your friendly; feelings towards me. I return you very sincere thanks for your good wishes for a pleasant voyage and a happy return to my sacred duties. "V ou know that my visit to Europe M not a mere pleasure trip ; you have stated truly that it is undertaken at the call of duty and to supply the needs of the diocese. I go to Roino as in duty bound to pay my formal visit ad limina apostolorum and to put before the Holy See a statement of the work done in this diocese during the last 10 years. Ton years have now elapsed since your lale illustrious bishop paid his last visit to Home. He was then able to give an encouraging account of the great progress which religion was making in Dunodin under his able ad; ministration. T thai I Boon lay at tho feet of the Holy Father a statement of the progress which religion is still making in this diocese. It will console Hie heart of the venerable IVrntift to hear of t!ie zeal and disinteret>tediiom of the priests, and the failli and devotion of. tho people in this new land so far distant from llio centre of Christianity. Thank God, tlic energy infused into the administration of tho diociMC by the lato illustrious bishop is still producing fruit. We have here as devoted a body of clergy and as generous and faithful a body of Catholic people as can be found in any land. They are working as earnestly to-day for the cause of the religious education of our children as they worked under tho guidance of the venerated leader who first raised in this province the war cry of Catholic education for Catholic children. We have abundant proofs of the sincerity of priests and people in their advocacy of the cause of religious education. During the last three years six new convents for nuna have been opened in this diocese, the Marist Brothers have taken charge of a flourishing school in Inveieargill, and the orphanage for girls has been opened in South Dunedin. Before tho end of this month another new convent and school will be opened, for the good Dominican nuns who have already placed tho diocese under such deep obligations to them by their zealous self -sacrificing efforts in the cause of Christian education are about to open a new convent and school in the Cromwell district. During the last three years the teaching staffiyof the diocese has been strengthened by the addition of 30 new teachers, and our schools have received an increase of nearly 300 additional children. These facts and figures show conclusively that the priests and people of the dioceae are thoroughly in earnest i-.i their advocacy of Catholic education for Catholic children. The education question indeed has not been neglected in this diocese. Further important steps will be taken in due time, when all tho bishops of New Zealand will unite to carry out tho programme agreed upon at the Provincial Council recently hold in Wellington. To-day we tolemnly blesned the new Catholic Hall, to which you alluded in your address. Those who have inspected the building say that it has been carefully planned and right solidly built. The want of something of the kind has long been felt in Dunedin, and, as you bay in your address.

*" it will fulfil a useful purpose by affording an increased means for mental and physical education and amusement of our youth. 1 ' In accordance with the wishes of the Holy See, we decided at our Provincial' Council of Wellington to found an ecclesiastical seminary for all New Zealand, and to locate it in the diocese of Dunedin. Haying accepted the responsibility of establishing the seminary, I have lost no time in making the necessary preparations, and I have already purchased a large house with extensive grounds, suitable for tho purpose of an ecclesiastical seminary. The undertaking is, indeed, an impoi taut one, whioh requires much anxious thought. But we trust that with God's blessing the seminary wijl grow to be as successful as you hope and expecl. And now, my dear friends, I thank >ou again very sincerely for all your kindness to me during the past three years. I know that you will pray for me during my absonce, and I promise' thai, I will remember you daily in my pravew. We .part for a few months, but I trust we shall meet here agaiu lo return thanks to God for the successful accomplishment of the objects which I have in view in undertaking this journey to Europe.