THE LATE RIGHT REV. DR. MORIARTY, BISHOP OF KERRY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 237, 16 November 1877, Page 17

THE LATE RIGHT REV. DR. MORIARTY, BISHOP OF KERRY.

MANY of your leaders, who like myself have been children of the Lately deceased prelate in the days of innocence and case, will read with regret the telegram announcing his death. Now that the grave has closed over him, we can only regret that the hands once lifted over our heads beseeching the Holy Ghost to enter into our souls and abide therein for ever, have been stilled, never again to be lifted to his Maker in praise iv this earthly vale of tears. Never more shall be heard among the hills and vales of his native Ciar-righ the sweet, soft, musical voice to which we listened breathlessly years ago, not knowing which to .admire most — the rapturous eloquence or tbe calm persuasive instruction. It has sometimes been my lot to listen to truly eloqtient preachers, also to preachers not eloquent but rather effective, but never have 1 heard a preacher in whom both qualities, graced with simplicity, were blended together so harmoniously. His manner was calm and affable, yet dignified, always ready to attend to the duties of his office. The only wonder is how his frame, strong and robust though it was, had not succumbed sooner to the great hardships which he had undergone in travelling over his extensive dioceses, for he had two — those of Ardfert and Aghadoe. During the episcopate of the right rev. gentleman most of the dingy old buildings which passed for churches have disappeared, and have been replaced by handsome, elegant, and commodious Gothic edifices. In Killarney he erected a beautiful, massive cathedral, which, unfortunately, owing to the gravelly base, can never be completed ; also two convents, one monasteiy for the Presentation Brothers, and an extremely handsome palace. He also introduced into Killarney the Franciscan Fathers, whose beautiful church and convent adorn Fair Hill. In Tralee he has seen the old chapel give way to the large and splendid church of St. John's, whose spire rises over two hundred feet, the whole being the life-long work of its zealous pastor, the Very Rev. Dean Mawc.

He also introduced into Tralcc the Dominican Fathers, who made great endeavours to get back the former site of their Order in that town, but without success. They, however, succeeded in obtaining a splendid site opposite to it in Dcy Place, having purchased the residence of the late W. Denny, Esq., where they have erected a splendid church, and keep a superior seminary for the education of the rising youths of the upper and middle classes. His lordship also introduced the Christian Brothers into 'J'ralee, where they keep two schools ; and into Dingle, where they have done good work for the cause of religion and education.

To properly pourtray the good works done by his lordship since 1854, when he was appointed Coadjutor-Bishop to tbe late Dr. Egan, would require an abler pen than mine, and more space that I am afraid you could well afford. Suffice it now to say that they are fully identified with the restoration of Catholic freedom in bis native county, and must be looked upon by the future historian of the county (whose history has already been written three times — viz., by Smith, Rowan, and tbe Nun of Kenmare) as the first indication of freedom from the galling yoke of an unparallclled despotism. That the lif e of the good and exemplary Bishop will be published I have scarcely any doubt ; and while I venture to give the name of bis probable biographer as the now celebrated Nun of Kenmare, I add another emblazonment to bis escutcheon, for he had also the honour, in conjunction with the late deeply revered pastor of Kenmare, the Yen. Archdeacon O'Snllivan, of introducing into Kenmare the now celebrated Nuns, who through the indefatigable industry, and exalted attainments of one of them — Miss Cusack — have received a worldwide celebrity. His lord ship was cdncntedat Boulogne Sur Mer, and was for several years President of All Hallows' College, -where he became intimately acquainted with the Very Rev. Dean O'Brien, of Newcastle west, then a Professor in the same College. He has left behind him not only a life well spent, but a good many gems of choicest literature, for he was even as eloquent a writer as he was an orator. If collected they will form a most fitting offering to the memory of a great and good man. May be rest in peace. - J. H. P.