THE PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH IN ENGLAND AND IRELAND—THE HOLY FATHER.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 24, 11 October 1873, Page 11

THE PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH IN ENGLAND AND IRELAND— THE HOLY FATHER.

The Very Ret. W. J. Dttkne, Vicar-G-eneral to' His Lordship Bishop Murphy, received a hearty welcome on the occasion of his return to Tasmania. The Catholics of Hubarton gave a tea-party in honor of the occasion. During the evening the rev. gentleman said : — I have been through many of the churches and colleges of Eng* laud, and to visit them alone I should imagine that it \vas a great Catholic country. Srieh a 1 number of couwnts nn r \ such vast congregations of people would actually indicate- that there is a great Catholic movement at present in England; and when I was informed that of the clergy at present laboring in London 1 44 or 45 of them were formerly of other denominations ; when I found than the hoad of the Catholic Church in England was formerly not a Catholic ; when I found that the president of Oscott College was formerly not a Catholic ; when t found that the president of Stoneyhurst College was formerly not a Catholic j—lj — I could nob but conclu 1 le that the religious movement in England was in the direction of Catholicity. The numbers of churches arid convents which were built since I left Ireland really astonished me. The large convents and cathedrals which were dismantled in every place— and certujnly I can but say that Oliver Cromwell must have' been a most infernal Goth to have tumbled down those cathedrals which were formerly devoted to the holy Religion — those magnificent abbeys and* cathedrals, were many of them I was glad to see, restored, and that at present action is being taken to restore others of them throughout the country. # # # # # I had an interview with the Holy Father. — (Applause ) He i\ ceived me moat graciously, and was pleased to converse with me for about a quarter of au hour,- and inquired most kindly about Tasuiai ii j and i you may be sure I said as much for it as I possibly could. — (Applause.) He inquired how many clergy we had ; how "many convents ; thd state of education; aud the temporal state of the people in general ; and, finally, he was pleased to give me hi 3 blessing, not only to myself, but for all the people of Tasmania whom I wishe.l to include in my intention ; and I need hardjy say that my intention included every man, woman and Jiild within the bounds of Tasmania.

The Rev. Father Superior of the Irish college of Rome was the last tictim of the lUliau revolutionists. The Father was returning home to his monastery, when he was met by a man in a mask, who struck him a blow on the head with a stick, which knocked him down. The wretch then ran off, leaving the poor Father Superior nearly ia« •ensible.