THE NEW BISHOP OF CLOYNE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 95, 20 February 1875, Page 10

THE NEW BISHOP OF CLOYNE.

Db. McCarthy waa born in the town of Clonakilty, County Cork in 1819; his ecclesiastical studies were prosecuted at Maynooth with very great distinction, several years of his lengthened course being spent in the Dunboyne establishment. His first appointment after ordination was to the curacy of Kilmeen, near his native oJ"^-. clo J ne and Eos s constituting at that time one diocese. Shortly afterwards, in 1843, he was removed to Mallow, of which his illustrious brother, the Rev. Justin McCarthy, was then pastor. While curate there he shared with the great-hearted and high-souled parish priest the labors and perils of the famine period, and employed his scholarly pen in the production of a series of letters on the momentous question of the times, which were addressed to the newspapers, attracted much attention, and were quoted in Parliament when the condition of the famine-stricken land was debated. Hi* devotion to the arduous and often revolting duties which the prevailing misery cast upon the clergy especially was tested by his having, in common with his brother, and ecclesiastical superior, and the other curate of Mallow, contracted the famine fever, which was then decimating the population. The parish priest succumbed to the malady, but his curates survived the attack j and on the death of the Rev. Justin McCarthy, the present Bishop was appointed parish priest of Mallow. That important and responsible office he has since filled with great honor to himself, much benefit to the interests of religion, and increasing advantage to his parishioners, as well in their temporal as m their spiritual concerns. The service of the Church has been faithfully directed by him, Catholic education has made great strides under his fostering influence, chiefly through the instrumentality of the Uhnstian Brothers' and Convent schools and all the social and moral needs of the people have been the constant objectß of his solidtude. Kor was the love of country less genuine and earnest than hi« real m the sacred ministry, and it may be quoted as a proof of thii that the now famous declaration of the Bishops and clergy of the Cloyne diocese in favor of Home Rule, which eventuated in the great National Conference in Dublin, and formation of the Home Rule League, was drawn up by him. Beloved and respected by all, his elevation to the Episcopate has been, from its first announcement, a source of pleasure and legitimate pride to those who knew, and therefore honored and loved him. A very remarkable evidence of hii widespread popularity was afforded in the vast congregation of the people from all parts of his own diocese, and from many more distant localities, too, who poured into Fermoy to be present at his con«ecr»turn. The almost unprecedently large attendance of Irish Bishopi, dignitaries, and clergy was a yet higher testimony to his professional excellence ; while both combined to prove that the event of the day was one of profound interest to Cathclic IreLnd.