ELECTION OF A COADJUTOR BISHOP OF TUAM.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 190, 17 November 1876, Page 14

ELECTION OF A COADJUTOR BISHOP OF TUAM.

<H An event of the highest importance and interest to the people of Conn&ught occurred on the 16th of August in Tuani, in the election of a Coadjutor to the most Eev. Dr. Mac Hale, Archbishop of Tuam. The venerated Archbishop, now in his 86th year, shows no sign of either mental or physical debility. His features wear their accustomed expression of sturdiness, vigor, and benevolence, but the Supreme Head of the Church, in his paternal consideration, has acceded to the request of Ms Grace that some of the cares of the administration of so large a diocese, to which six episcopal sees are suffragan, should be removed from his shoulders by the appointment of a Coadjutor, and hence the election at Tuam. At ten o'clock a solemn High Mass de Spiritu Sancto commenced in the Cathedral. A certain dimness filled the spacious building, throwing into high relief the richly decorated and brightly lit altar, the Bhining silken vestments of the sacred ministers, and the white robes of the clergy who filled the stalls and front benches. The celebrant was the Very Key. James Canon Magee ; deacon, Bey. Michael Heany; sub-deacon, Eev. Peter M'Philpin; and master of the ceremonies, Very Rev. Ulick Canon Bourke. On his throne at the Gospel side sat the central figure of all, "The great Archbishop of the West," the prelate in whose life events have been clustered that can be grasped by the memory of few other living men. His Grace's recollection embraces the landing of the French, the horrors of '98, Grattan's grand struggle against the Union, O'Connell's great religious and political efforts, the famine year, and the Young Ireland party. In fact, the record of his Grace's life is intermingled with many an event now a landmark in Irish history or a memory of the past. These were the thoughts that must have struck many as they gazed upon him in the cathedral. Scarcely had High Mass begun when blinding flashes of lightning shot through to the church, to be followed in a second by the crashing and rolling of distant thunder. A gust of wind rattled the big raindrops against the windows, then the dark masses of piled-up clouds broke, and volumes of water dashed to the earth with a roar that almost drowned the notes of the grand organ. Heard from the darkened, still interior of the cathedral, the wild fury of the elements which rioted outside was most impressive, and lent an additional effect to the sublime rite being performed at the altar. And for hours this storm raged with unabated violence. High Mass concluded at 11 o'clock, when the laity and such of the clergy as had no votes retired, and the church doors were closed. His Grace Dr. Mac Hale ascended the seat prepared for the President of tha election assembly, and the names of the representatives of canonries and parishes entitled to vote were called over. All answered with two exceptions, and there were found to be 44 electors present. Next was the appointment, by ballot, of two scrutators to examine the votes, and the clergy selected for this position were the Very 3lev. James Canon Waldron and the Eev. Bartholomew Kavanagh. The Papal Rescript authorizing the election having been read, the priests present answered to their names, and each made the solemn attestation that his vote would be uninfluenced by a desire for anything but the welfare of the Church and the good of the people. Each voter then placed his vote in an urn ; the total number of votes in the urn were compared with the number of voters present, and then each vote was read out aloud. The issue of the election was found to be : — Dignissimus, The most Eev. Dr. M'Evilly, Bishop of Galway, 16 votes. THgnior, Very Eev. Dr. Thomas Mac Hale, Professor, Irish Colleg-o. Paris. 12 votes. Dignus, Eev. Thomas Carr, Professor. MayDootb. 9 votes: Pe^ James Eonayne, P.P., 3 votes ; VeryE*v ? DivY Cavcv Fcrilc, President, St. Jarlath's College, Tuair, vttee Most Rev. Dr. Conway, Bishop of KillaUa, 1 vote; Most Kbv. Ur. Duggan, Bishop of Clonfert, 1 vote. A formal record was made of the voting, to be transmitted to Eome, and at three o'clock the cathedral doors w«re opened, and the clergy separated. The result was awaited in Tuam with a great deal of interest, and of course considerable speculation was indulged in as to whom the Holy See will select.