SEA 'PRIEST.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19460, 27 December 1934, Page 10

SEA 'PRIEST.

HOLDS MASTER’S TICKET. INTERESTING PERSONALITY. The world is Ihe parish of Father J. E., Rockliff and the welfare of sailors bis • special interest, lie arrived at Wellington, on Monday morning by the Makura from Sydney and is on his way to carry out spiritual and research work in the Society Islands, in the ■South Pacific. Father Rockliff is in every sense a real sea priest. He is 'Claimeld to he the only priest in the world with a master ■mariner’s certificate. Besides being qualified to navigate worldly oceans, he is skipper, as international promoter of Ihe Aposlleship of tbe Sea, of a crew of 700,000 sailors on spiritual waters. A man of short stature and a very genial person, Father Rockliff ‘has had a most interesting career, and also an adventurous one. He went to sea first as a cadet on a sailing ship. He was in the Royal Navy as a 'Chaplain, and then transferred to the institution known as the Apostleship of the ,Sea. Father Rockliff is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of London, and is connected with kindred societies in 'ltaly, France, Germany, and America. In addition to spiritual activities in the Society Islands, Father Rockliff will be engaged in marine research work on behalf of the geographical societies with which ho is 'connectedA schooner ha-s' been placed at his disposal for ihe purposes of iris work.

Father Rockliff’s work lakes him to all parts of the world. Itis headquarters are in London. From the Society Islands, be intends going on lo San Francisco •and eventually to England. Last year, Father Roekliff visited India. Extremely rough weather was experienced at one place and the vessel lie was in was compelled to lie about a mile and a-tialf off the shore. The natives, 'devout Catholics, came out in a canoe from their little fishing village. They assured him the .chief had sent bis best crew for him, and nothing •could haipnen lo a priest. But, said Father Roekliff, the canoe capsized just Hie same, and he received a thorough 'ducking. ■Father Roekliff is recovering from congestion of the lungs, which attacked him in Melbourne. He is going on from Wellington by the Mak lira.