ARCHBISHOP CATTANEO.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16583, 16 November 1921, Page 4

ARCHBISHOP CATTANEO.

CATHOLIC ENTERTAINMENT His Excellency Archbishop Cattaneo, the Apostolic Delegate, was entertained by the Roman Catholic clergv and laity of Christchurch at a conversazione in the Art Gallery last night. There was a very large attendance and both halls were crowded. On arrival at the Art Gallery his Excellency was met by a guard-of-honour from the H.A.C.B. Society, and as he entered the hall an instrumental quintette, under Mr W. T. Ward, played “ Long Live the Pope.’’ During the evening a musical programme was provided by the instrumental quintette, Misses Mary Ward, Mary O’Connor, Dorothy Nottingham and Kathleen Garven, Messrs J. M’Grath and E. Yule, and a vocal quartette, consisting of Messrs H. C. Matheson, W. Joll, R. A. Beveridge and S. Hawker. Misses Nellie Hayward, Katie O’Connor and Ward were acoo m pa ni st s. Bishop Brodie said, in welcoming Archbishop Oattaneo, that ’although it was not hi.s part to enter into civic politics, he thought by the size of the gathering that they would have been a good deal more comfortable in a town hall. The people very much appreciated the condescension of his Excellency in coming among them and approving of the efforts of their religious community. His Excellency had always been obliging and sympathetic, and in spite of a heavy programme had readily entered into all which would encourage them in the w*ork of their diocese and help to further the interests of the community. The delegate’s visit would make them responsive to the power of the Holy See and fill them with even more of the sympathy and cordiality which bound them to the Throne of Peter and would ensure their loyalty to Benedict XV. Sir George Clifford, speaking on behalf of the laity, said that it was impossible for him to vary his speech from others which had already been made to the delegate, because* in all minds there was but one thought, and that was loyalty to the Holy See. It was a joy to the people to have the Papal representative amongst them, but superadded to that his Excellency had enchanted them all by his personality and the sympathy which he had shown w r ith all the works and pursuits of the people. On his return to Rome, his Excellency would have to assure his Holiness of the people’s absolute devotion and loyalty to the faith R-ome. Even in tills happv land there were troubles. Education constituted a difficulty, and recently a Divorce Act was passed which drove right to the root of the family; but it was unable to affect the Catholic community. A Marriage Act had been passed, but it would prove inoperative by the mere force of its own folly. 1 Nevertheless they had reason to be grateful for the laws which ruled the country they w’ere inhabiting. In Bishop Brodie they had a prelate whom they respected and admired, and he would ask, the delegate to express his thanks to his Holiness for appointing such a worthy priest to the position. A welcome was also extended to his Excellency on behalf of the Hibernian Society. Archbishop Cattaneo on rising to reply was greeted with loud applause. He said that he wished for the power to express the warmth of his feelings; they would know how much he appreciated it all. He was impressed bv the demonstrations of loyaltv to the Supreme Pontiff. The days in Christchurch had been bo pleasant and joyful to him that they had flown like lightning. But there was a shadow' in his heart, and that was that he would have to leave Christchurch soon. It was a beautiful city, and he only wished that it could be made the headquarters of his embassy, ,t ‘The sentiments of Catholic loyalty had made a deep impression upon him, and he would express them fully to his Holiness when he next had the privilege of kneeling at the Pontifical Throne.

During “the, eixr'Hon—irgt-z the delegate went among the people, making the acquaintance of many.