ARRIVAL OF BISHOP POMPALLIER.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1490, 22 January 1861, Page 5

ARRIVAL OF BISHOP POMPALLIER.

[From " New Zealander."] This highly esteemed Prelate arrived in our harbour on Sunday afternoon last, accompanied by 17 Clergymen, and 4 Religious for the Convent, to assist the Sisters of Mercy in their educational works. When the ship General Teste rounded the Heads the Very Bey. Mr. McDonald, Vicar General, went on board, and it was arranged that the Bishop, Clergy, Lidies, &c> should land as soon as possible. A large number of the. Catholics of Auckland, as well as several oYwhe'Ktenomina lions, hastened to the Qieen Street Wharf, to meet and congratulate his Lordship, who looked remarkably well, on his landing. There could not have been less than 3,000 people present. As the Bishop approached the wharf a simultaneous cheer burst forth, and was again and agaiu repeated, which his Lordjiip duly acknowledged. The party landed iirHhree boats, iv the following order: first boat, the Bishop, nocompanied by the Vicar General, Rev. M. O'Hara, Curate of St. Pit trick's Cathedral, and four Religious; second boat, eight Franciscans ; and the third boat contained eight Seminarists, conducted by the Rev. Walter McDonald, who accompanied his Lordship to Rome aud elsewhere, and now has returned. A procession was then formed and (proceeded to St. Patrick's Cathedral, which was very neatly decorated, and on entering the choir sang the beautiful antiphon, " Ecce Sacerdos Magnus." His Lordship then retiree! accompanied by the Vicar General and Father O'Hara, to the Vestry, shortly after which, he and assistants appeared in (ull canonicals. The 'proceedings commenced with prayer, and at its conclusion the Bishop took his seat, when the Very Rev. Dr. James Me Douald rend the fellowiug Address of the Clergy to the Right Rev. Dr. Poropailier, Bishop of the Diocese of • Auckland, ou his return from Europe. My Lord, — . On my own behalf and on that of your devoted Clergy the Priests of the Auckland Diocese, I do myself the honor to respectfully approach your Lordship, to congratulate you ou your safe return with so many spiritual labourers and to unite with you in thanking that kind Providence which has conducted you through the different stages of your important .and salutary visit to Europe, and ones "again, placed you over your dear flock in New Zealand. The anxious solicitude and unceasing exertions for the spiritual and temporal welfare of your Diocese, which, with a Christian satisfaction we have learn c, have been manifested by your Lordship, since your departure, fiil your Clergy with foud expectations of the happiest results. , It is, my Lord, with spiritual sadness that Occasion requires me to tender our sympathy witb your Lordship in that condolence iv which Providence has thought tit to call upoti you a secood time to take part in the sorrows of Pio Nono, the persecuted visible head of the Church of Christ. : I am happy to state that I feel in duty bound to iuforin your Lordship that 2eal, devotedness, unanimity, auil fruterual love have i

1 characterised your clergy during your absence, t h.'.-reby rendering my own position less unerous ■ and rolieuting the greatest relative respect upon > our absent and very revered Bishop. ! Tho Convent of th« Sifters of Mercy has ■ continued to elicit the same approbation as ; when under the personal inspection of your 1 1 1 Lordsbirj w rli ; _ : I . The; p race of God .md the blessing of Ueayen j have enabled the L:my to accomplish many •■ good works of charity and benevolence in behalf I of Religion, which* I feel assured, -will commend them more and more, to your Lordship's paternal regard. Amidst the items of intelligence forming in part the address of y«ur Clergy, then is oeer my Lord, which, with profound and heartfelt sorrow, I cannot omit to invite your attention, namely, the unhappy disturbance at Taranaki. It might not, however, be too much to hope, that the well known influence of your Lordship, over the aborigines of this country, may, should occasion call for.it, bring about results equally happy with thosi which have before in times of trouble attended your Lordship's seasonable counsel. In conclusion, my Lord, I again, congratulate you on your safe return to your Diocese, and pray that the blessings of Heaven may descend in abundance upon that happy portion of the Lord's vineyard committed by the worthy successor of St. Peter to your Lordships paternal care. Most humbly . imploring your Lordship's Apostolic BenedictiouT for myself, your devoted Clergy, Religions, and Flock, I have the honour, to be, With the moit profound respect and reneration, Your Lordship's devoted spiritual son iv Jesus Christ, James McDonald, Vicar General. To the Right Her Dr. Pompallier, Bishop of the Diocese of Auckland. The Vicar General received his Lordship's blessing both before and after reading the Address. His Lordship replied to the above in ineffective and most feeling manner. Mr. J. J. Moore then read an Address to His Lordship, signed by about 500 uf the male Catholics of Auckland and Onchunga. Mr. Moore intimated to the Bishop that a large number of additional names were expected to be added to the Address, as some gentlemen who undertook to obtain signatures had not yet sent in their lists, and concluded by reading the following — Addbbss of the. Catholic Laity of Auckland to the Right Rev. Dr. Pompallier, on his return from Eiuope. Venerable and Beloved Bishop, — ! It is wiltf fe l e'lin'£s of sincere pleasure that we he* leave to approach yom Lordship iv a spirit of the most profound respect; and to assure you that we bail your return amongst us with seuli ments of the deepest affection. During your Lordships visit to the Holy See our humble prayer* were offaied for your persoual safety and the success of your mission, in procuring Spiritual labourers for the Sacred Ministry, and teachers for the education of the youth of both races. My Lord — To the devoted companions of your voyage, who have placed themselves under your guidance, for the benefit of the people of this country, wo tender a hearty welcome, and we trust that God will crown their labours with success. We pray that your Lordship may long be spared to vs y and that you may Imhold religion ■flourish throughout your diocese and be recompensed for. your past labours by daily witness injr their abundant fruits^ -.-- In these sentiments we beg your Lordship's blessing, and reinaiu, my Lurd, your faithful flock, , (Here follows about 500 signatures.) Mr, Moore then approached his Lordship, knelt, presented the address, and leceived the Episcopal Benediction. His Lordship replied to the foregoing atsorae length, and concluded by hoping that the clergy and people might long live in harmony, and all do their utmost for the gl»ry of God. Raniera, a Native catechist, than read an address in Maori, signed by a very large number of Natives, to which His Lordship made a suit-,.. able reply in the- Native language. Riniera also received the Episcopal Benediction on presenting the address. During the foregoing interesting ceremony the utmost silence prevailed, although the Cathedral was crowded to excess in every part, indeed many could not obtain admittance. -'-The- Bishop 1 j fisted 'by his clergy, consisting j of the very Revd. the Vicar General, as Deacou, Rev. M. O'Hara as Sub- Deacon, Rev. W. Mv Donald, eight, clergy of the Franciscans order, and eight beruinarists arranged within the Sanctuary sung the Te Deum, and- His Lordship after giving the Benediction of the . Blessed Sacrament imparted his solemn Apostolic Blessing to all the clergy and faithful present. — Communicated. »i —