NEW MARIST SCHOOL OPENED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17771, 15 February 1926, Page 7

NEW MARIST SCHOOL OPENED.

THREE BISHOPS PRESENT AT CEREMONY

An up-to-date two-storey brick school which has been built in Barbadoes Street for the Marist Brothers at a cost of £7600, was blessed and opened yesterday afternoon by Dr His ton. Coadjutor Bishop of Auckland. The principal address was given by Bishop Whyte, of Dunedin. Bishop Brodie presided. Among those present were :

Dr Geaney, Rector of St Bedes College: Dr Morkane, Rector of Holy Cross College; Dr Martin, Rector of Greenmeadows Seminary; Dr Casey, Dean Bowers, and the Rev Fathers -I. O’Connell, S.M., O’Meeghan, Timony, Joyce, Hanralian, O’Connor, Gregory and Monoghan- The Marise Brothers, pupils of the school, members of the Hibernian Society, and a large number of friends and ex-pupils of the school were also present.

In welcoming Bishop Whyte and Dr Riston. Bishop Brodie said it was a great compliment that they should have come to assist at the ceremeony. Bishop Whyte came of a line of bishops in Dunedin who were greatly interested in education. In matters of education he had had wide experience. Dr Liston also had experience in educational matters, lor he had at one lime been rector of the Mosgiel College. Dr Liston had blessed the new building, and now the speaker, in the name of the priests of the Cathedral Parish and of Christchurch, accepted it from the contractors.

On behaif of the laity Mr J. R. Hayward welcomed the visiting bishops. and said that he was pleased to think that they had come to assist Bishop Brodie in a work which was so dear to his heart.

In his address Bishop Whyte sairl: " While congratulating all, from the Bishop down to the humblest parishioner, on the erection of this commodious and well equipped school, I think I should in a special way congratulate the Marist Brothers, whose facilities for teaching their pupils have been here so greatly increased. The Marist Brothers are well and favourably known in this city, and the loyalty shown to them by their pupils and expupils is known and appreciated by bishops and priests even in towns where the brothers have never taught. The order has 406 monasteries in different parts of the world, and this is a lesson in the catholicity and universality of the church which shelters under its wings all the nations of the earth.

“ We have reason to be proud of our Catholic system of education. The inspectors who examine our schools are quite satisfied with them as being at least equal to the best amongst the other schools.”

Dr Liston, in reply to the welcome which had been given to him, said that in recent years there had been a notable increase in educational establishments. Jnfquitv was eating into the heart of even our young country. and a knowledge of God was absolutely necessary. If our Lord called at the door of a State school He would have to be turned away, for He was not recognised there, but at a Catholic school lie would be recognised and worshipped. "The Government takes our money and pockets it to educate other children and refuses to give us anything in return.’’ he said. “They refuse to entertain a just claim, but there will come a time when a Xew Zealander with a big mind and heart at the head of affairs will say that this wrong must be undone. Xew Zealand and Australia are the only parts of the Empire where Catholics are penalised. Even in Australia a few scholarships are granted. I am proud of my country. but in this respect I am thoroughly ashamed of it." A vote of thanks was accorded Bishop Whyte on the motion of Father O’Connell seconded by Brother Phelan. '