ADDRESS TO THE MOST REV. PATRICK MORAN, D.D.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VI, Issue 314, 25 April 1879, Page 3

ADDRESS TO THE MOST REV. PATRICK MORAN, D.D.

The announcement made in our columns last week icFerring to the approach of the twenty-third anniversary of the consecration of his Lordship the Bishop of Dunedin, suggested to certain members of the Catholic congregation that the occasion would be a favourable one on which to present an address to his Lordship, testifying generally to the affection felt for him by his people, to their gratitude for the labours he has undergone on their behalf, and more especially to the hearty manner in which they appreciate his defence of their interests in the matter of Catholic education, and his indignant refutation of the late unscrupulous and impudently repeated calumnies that seek to stamp them in the face of the colony with all that is infamous. Therefore a meeting was held on Friday, Mr. John Griffen in the chair, by which an address was adopted, and steps taken for its presentation immediately on the termination of Pontifical High Mass Ihc (Sunday following, the anniversary day, by Mr. J. B. Callan, who •\vns fuither empowered to make such introductory remarks as he might judge suitable to the occasion. Pontifical" High Mass was celebrated at 11 a.m. His Lordship the Bishop acting as celebrant, w ith the Piev. Father M'Enroc. S.J., Master of Ceremonies, and the )lvv. Fathers Larkin and O'Leary as deacon and subdeacoa respectively. Haydn's Second Mass was extremely well rcmloied by the cboir, under the direction of Mr. Warn], the oiganu-t, with Mr. Alfred Kurmau as conductor. And the sermon was preached by the Itev. Father O'Mallcy. S.J. The IJcv. Preacher said there was nothing more beautiful than knowledge, and of all knowledge that gained by the study of theology blood first. The growth of the Church was comparable to that of islands formed by the coral iusccts. The builders worked and died, ;ukl their offspring; followed in their steps, and so from an apparently blight foundation the islands grew. The Church bad been bo^un iv weakness. The Christians had been cruelly persecuted, aud ha<l been obliged to take refuge in underground haunts, in the catai/ombs. Forty years after the establishment of Christianity there had been a lionian empeior who was almost a Christian ; a little more aud lie would have been one, and then thc-einpire would have renounced its paganism and Christianity been established openly in forty years ; but God left things to take their course. He directed all but did not especially order things, that this great event should so early take jilace, and therefore the conversion of the empire did not occur for three hundred years. Ho it is now, the Church is tried and religion seems feeble, but all the time the tide is rising and must eventually spread all over the world. God has appointed for the guidance of His Church overseers, this is the meaning of the word epUcopus which we translate ' Bishop." Bishops are cither a gieat blessing or a g^Pi curse. The greatest traitor the world ever produced was a bishop — Judas : Arius wasa priest, aud Luther was a priest. Letthecongregation ask themselves what was the Bishop who had been appointed over them I Had he done his part faithfully by them 1 When he arrived here aud found that Catholic education was most deficient, he immediately set about providing schools. He had e>tablished excellent schools, and had surrounded himself with religious because be believed them to be the best teachers. Religious, men and women who had devoted their lives to the service of God and their fellow men, must of necessity be the best teachers. The Preacher did not mean that there might not be others who, individually, were

especially qualified to teach, but there was a far greater teaching power to be found in religious bodies. The Bishop bad also established a newspaper, a work of great magnitude. His Lordship was unwearying, — when the Itev. preacher had arrived in the colony the first article in the Tablet that met his eye was headed v Must begin, again." For six years the Bishop had been fighting the battle for justice in the matter of Catholic education, but in vain, yet nothing daunted he was ready to begin all over again. He never wearied of his duty. But the successful establishment of a Catholic newspaper was so great a work that it deserved a special sermon and the preacher should on a future occasion devote one to it. Again, the Bishop was continually, as they knew, defending the Church and his people against calumnies. He was doing so at the present time. Some Catholics thought it better to pass over such things with silent contempt ; the preacher did not think so. Let such charges be met and disproved. Or let it be seen that they cannot be disproved. Let it, for instance, be proved, if possible, that the present charge brought is true, and if so let the accused be sent out of the country. The church was densely crowded, as the congregation generally had been invited to attend and take part in the presentation, and several non-Catholics were also present. On the termination of the Mass, Mr. J. B. Callan advanced to the foot of the episcopal throne bearing the address, which had been handsomely printed in gold letters on white silk by Messrs. Woodifield, Jolly & Co., and spoke as follows :—: — My Lord Bishop,— Ladies and Gentlemen, — A paragraph appeared in last Friday's " Taxlet " to the effect that to-day would mark the twenty -third anniversary of Bishop Moran's consecration to the episcopate. I'll venture to say that eveiy Catholic, on reading that paragraph, must have mentally ejaculated : " Well, I wish his Lordship many happy returns of the day." In alluding to the matter in the course of conversation, it was suggested by some members of the congregation that something more than this should be done on this occasion — that the congregation should express in some way or other to the Bishop their thanks for his labours on their behalf, and assure him that those labours were fully appreciated. It was greatly desired that the whole congregation should be consulted as to how this should be done, but unfortunately time did not permit of thnt. The only thing that could be done was to convene a hurried meeting of those who were at the moment come-atahle, and it was there resolved by the gentlemen present — whp knew full well that any 7-esolution which tended to do honour to his Lordship would be heartily endorsed by the congregation — to present to the Bishop an address, which I shall presently read, congratulating him, for the reasons contained in it, on reaching this his twenty-third anniversary. The meeting felt sure that the congregation would go heart and soul into any movement of that kind, but it did not feel quite so confident that the Bishop would care much about it. "*■ The meeting was inclined to believe that he would not set much store upon demonstrations of this nature, where he himself was the recipient. Nevertheless, it was determined that the occasion should not be allowed to pass by without telling his Lordship how much we admire the courageous and able manner in which he conducts all matters connected with his church aud congregation. The Bishop has high aud responsible duties to perform, some of them not of a very pleasant charicter, and which gentlemen filling his position in older and more settled countries are not burdened with. He has had much to contend with lately. The position of always standing, as it were, on guard— of always lighting against attacks— must, at the best, be weary work : and though his Lordship may be consoled by the thought that he is merely doing what he considers to be his duty, .'till he must sometimes yearn for the sympathy and support of those for whom he works, aud it was determined that this occasion should be seized upon to assure him that we do sympathise with him, and that we are ever ready to help him in all his efforts for the welfare of bis church and congregation. We know how encrgrtic and untiring those efforts have been. He displays au energy and steadfastness of purpose in all his actions which elicit the respect of many men in the community who differ widely from him in opinion. As Father O'Malley pointed out in the eloquent discourse which we have just listened to, he established a school for young ladies, which has become a decided success. We all know that lately he brought over here Father G'Malley and his worthy colleague, for the purpose of founding a similar establishment for young men. 1 "can easily conceive that, with the limited means at his command, this step must have given the Bishop much thought and anxiety. In undertaking it he must have felt that he was undertaking a great responsibility ; but he never could have anticipated that to the care and anxiety inseparable from such a project, would be added the accusation — the false, cruel, and heartless accusation—that in bringing tbese gentlemen here, be was introducing into this community men who justified murdei and theft — men who, in fact, regarded the Ten Commandments of God as so much waste paper — for in truth that is what the accusation amounts to. To a man whose sole motive is that the people over whom he has spiritual charge may have a thoroughly efficient and Christian system of education, and who has done so much with the limited means at his command to effect that object, it must have been painful in the extreme to see it pioclaimeJ through the land that he was introducing into our midst men who, if they believed and taught what has benn attributed to them, should be shunned like the plague. It is true the Bishop, as usual with him, met his antagonist ; "and if the Episcopal breast derives any triumph (aud I don't sec why it shouldn't) from having dealt a blow straight from the shoulder, and seeing his antagonist rolling in the mud, then he has every reason to feel satisfied with the result. He proved conclusively that Gury was not the monster he had been painted. I have never read Gury myself, and I Jon't suppose I ever shall, and it is perhaps -just as well that I should not, for (as my Latin is by this time rather rusty) I, too, like some other people in this town, might fall into some sad blunders in. the attempt. For if a public writer can make out that Gury teaches it is no sin to commit murder, when in truth Gury of course teaches the exact opposite, it is possible that I might discover that Gury teaches that the sole duty in life, for instance, of a solicitor, is to chisel his clients. It is so easy to fall into these little errors, when you attempt to criticise an

intricate work written in a language with which you are not familiar, and when you bring to that criticism a frame of mind strongly biassed in one direction. Ido not, I say, know Gury ; but this Ido know, that for several years of my life I lived at a boarding-school conducted and taught by monks. It was a very large school, and truth compels me to confess that we were never taught anything approaching to what has been attributed to Gury ; on the contrary, we were taught that the commission of murder, theft, and such crimes, would meet with a terrible punishment hereafter ; and if we were discovered in attempting any of the smaller peccadilloes which Gury is made to wink at, our backs smarted severely for them there and then. Since I left that school I have lived and associated mostly with non-Catholics, and I am happy to say that the teaching I received in . that school has not incapacitated me from forming many and warm friendships amongst them. But I must, in justice to my old masters, add this, that I have never met with simpler, more guileless, or more truthful men ; and they must have been pretty familiar with Catholic theology. . They were gentlemen who had devoted their lives exclusively to study and teaching ; but then you see they were good Latin scholars, and that no doubt accounts" for the fact that they taught us that to commit murder was a sin and a very grievous one too. But, ladies and gentlemen, I shall not detain you longer. You all, of course, have the same story to tell as I have ; and I have just spoken these few words to ask our non-Catholic friends, if there are any here, not to be alarmed, and to assure them that murder, robbery, and such-like, are really very far from our minds. And now, my Lord Bishop, permit me to read the address which the Catholics of Dunedin have asked me to present to you :—: — Address to the Most Rev. Lord Bishop op Dunedin. My Lord Bishop, — We desire, on this the twenty-third anniversary of your Lordship's conscration, to congratulate you, not only on the length of years during which a merciful God has preserved you in the episcopate, but also, what we feel is still more pleasant for us to recall, upon the faithful manner which you have throughout those years discharged the responsible, onerous, and, we may add, in your Lordship's case especially, the laborious duties of your sacred calling. We have not, indeed, had the happiness of being your Lordship's spiritual children duringthe whole timeyouhave borne the high dignity which you support ; eight years only have elapsed since that privilege was conferred upon us, but even that short span of years has sufficed to prove to us how great is the benefit we enjoy, and to unite us to your Lordship in the bonds of an affection that frequently a lifetime is insufficient to frame. It is not for us at any time to presume to address your Lordship in terms of flattery, more particularly in the holy place in which we are now met ; and, indeed, we know well that, were we to do so, we should deeply grieve and offend you rather than cause you any gratification. But it is not flattery for us to say that not only do we experience a sense of safety in the strong guidance and able defence which we find your Lordship continually afford us, but that we are constantly edified and encouraged to serve Heaven with a zeal daily renewed by the example we find in you of a life wholly devoted to the glory of God, and the good of the people over whom in His wisdom He has set you Therefore, my Lord Bishop, we desire with great respect and affection to congratulate you on the recurrence of this auspicious anniversary ; and our hope, and earnest prayer to God, are that you may still be spared to witness many more returns of the day, and to labour, as hitherto, faithfully and effectually for the glory of God, the advancement of your diocese, and the welfare of your people. Such is our heartfelt prayer ; and in proof that this expression of our feelings is no mere show of words ; we desire further to say that, as we understand your Lordship's duty calls you two years hence to visit Home, we now pledge ourselves to undertake any steps that you may advise to be undertaken meantime, in order to aid in facilitating the objects that your Lordship may then have in view. Finally, my Lord Bishop, we crave on this happy occasion also the blessing that we know you are ever ready to bestow upon us, Signed on behalf of the Catholic Congregation — J. Griffen F. W. Petre J. B. Callan T. Murray T. F. M'Donough N. Smith F. Meenan J. F. Perrin W. H. M'Keay J. Daly T. Keynolds J. Martin J. Connor P. Cotter J. Carroll D. W. Woods P. Power T. J. Leary M. Murphy E. Sheedy E. Downey C. Columb. In reply his Lordship, who seemed much affected, and who was » obliged to pause for a moment to recover his calmness at that portion of his answer referring to the past, spoke as follows :—: — My friends, this is not the first time I heard that this address was to be presented to me, but I got a glance at it yesterday for a few minutes only. It struck me that it would be better for me — more respectful to you — to write down my reply. I have done so. I have given a reply in accordance with my recollection of the reading of the address. It may not be all that might be expected on this occasion, and certainly is not all that I would say had I had more time for preparation. I find that towards the end of my reply I have erased some words, but now after hearing the address of Mr. Callan and the words that he has spoken, I think it is my duty to retain those words, and, therefore, I shall read it as I wrote it in the first instance. I did not intend on this occasion to speak in reference to the controversy that has been raging sometime in Dunedin, Balclutba, and Melbourne. Everyone who has read the newspapers is aware that a rev. gentleman has thought fit to make an unfounded attack upon the Jesuit Fathers who have recently arrived here, and through them, on Catholics generally throughout the world. I felt it to be my duty, in justice to my people, on account of the duties that devolve upon me as a teacher and defender of the Faith, to meet this attack, in the only way it could be met, by a clear, distinct, and indignant denial,

and now 1 take this opportunity to declare that it is a gross, a foul, and most injurious lie. That is a word I have not used before in this controversy. It is a word, notwithstanding the great provocation I received, I carefully abstained from using. Nothing but the gravest reasons would justify the use of such an expression, but, my brethren, there isnot any other word in the English language capable of designating the crime committed against vs — peaceable citizens, following our. avocations in this city in obedience to all laws human and divine. It is the grossest, the most unprovoked, the most scandalous, and vilest attack made by any man, lay or clerical, against a simple and unoffending people ; and I will say that— no matter what the reason, or no matter what the human consequence — I will pursue that lie day by day and week by week, and never shall I cease until I repel and thrust back again — that foul lie. No greater injury has been done to any people than that which has been shown to us. I will now read my reply :—: — For the address which you have presented to me, my friends, I thank you most sincerely. There are no words, at least no words at my command, capable of expressing the depth of my gratitude for this unexpected kindness. To-day is indeed to me a day of gladness, but of a gladness not unmixed with sorrow. I cannot but rejoice at the remembrance of the many blessings of which, through no merit of my own, I have been the recipient ; but the recurrence of this day reminds me, in a way most touching, of the friends by whom I was surrounded at my consecration, and who are now no more. Tha eminent Cardinal Cullcn, who consecrated me, has fallen asleep in the Lord ; so have the two illustrious bishops who assisted him ; and many of the faithful and devoted friends of my youth and early manhood who then surrounded me, have also gone to their great account. The thought of this comes to oast a gloom over that which would otherwise be free from any dark shadow. The recurrence of this day also suggests the reflection that one who has been a Bishop for 23 years is fast approaching the day when he must lay aside tho crozier for ever, and pass on to the great judgment-seat to render an account, which is sufficient to appal the best and holiest. And this excites a sentiment of fear which is calculated to make one calm and reserved even in the midst of rejoicing. You are pleased to say that since my arrival here, some eight years ago, a great deal has been done for the advancement of religion. And in your generosity and forgetfulness of self, you are good enough to attribute this in a great measure to my guidance and exertions. Passing over the fact that progress has been made, and which is undeniable, I may be permitted to say that your eulogy of me is in reality your own highest commendation. Who co-operated with me ? Who never placed an obstacle in my way ? Who laboured with me ungrudgingly, and without ever looking back ? Who poured into my hands large sums of money, generously contributed out of the means, not too abundant, bestowed upon them by our common Father ? The laity, the religious, and the priests of this diocese ; and it is to these, rather than to me, the praise is due of the satisfactory state of religion and Catholic education at which we all rejoice. Of your co-operation in the future, I entertain no doubt whatever. The past affords a guarantee of the time to come, and though the work still before us is arduous, I cannot doubt but that it will be accomplished in due season. It is my intention, should I be spared, in obedience to the law of the Church, to visit the tombs of the Apostles in 1881, and give to the Vicar of our Divine Lord an account of my stewardship. During this visit to Europe it will also be my duty to take measures for providing a larger staff of priests, nuns, and Christian Brothers, and many things necessary for the rapidly-increasing population of this diocese. All this will impose upon me large pecuniary obligations, and it consequently gives me great pleasure to fird that you, mindful of this contingency, have anticipated my desires, pnd already adopted means to supply me with the sums necessary to enable me to meet the inevitable expcn.e: of such a visit and such an undertaking. In conclusion I beg to say, whilst again thanking you for this address, that I shall act in the future as I have in the past — namely, do what I cap to promote your interests, to spread around the blessings of religion, to advance the cause of Catholic education, and to refute and repel calumnies against Catholics and Catholicity, no matter from what quarter the) may proceed. I pray that the blessing of the Most High may descend and rest upon you and yours for ever. t P. MORAN. 20th April, 1879. Historical ! Vide l Jurors Reports and Awards, New Zealand Exhibition." Jurors : J. E. Ewen, J. Butterworth, T. G. Skinner :—: — " So far as the Colony is concerned, the dyeing of materials is almost entirely confined to the re-dyeing of Articles of Dress and Upholstery, a most useful art, for there are many kinds of material that lose their colov" before the texture is half worn. G. Hirsch, of Dunedin (Dunedin Dye Wokks, George street, opposite Royal George Hotel,) exhibits a case of specimens of Dyed Wools, Silks, and Feathers, and dyed Sheepskins. The colours on the whole are very fair, and reflect considerable credit on the Exhibitor, to wliom the Jurors recommended an Honorary Certificate should be awarded. Honorary Certificate, 29 : Gustav Hirsch, Dunedin, for specimens of Dyeing in Silk, Feathers, &c. The English have put the screw, almost to the death point, on the native press of India. Every line published passes, before it goes into type, under English inspection ; and now the London papers are quoting from the native papers of India, to show how loyal the people are in relation to the Afghan war. One Indian editor is made to hope : " May the English succeed, and may Russia continue to envy ;"' and another suggests a way to the common people by which " they may have the honour of rendering aid to the Government." Ah 1 we know a countiy that sees through all that sort of thing. The only Hindoo who can open his mouth or write his name is the heartless wretch who has sold his soul to his country's destroyer, The Get-mania alleges that the petition of the Catholic ladies of the Rhine provinces to Emperor William has resulted in the postponponment, under certain conditions, of the dissolution of the Catholic convent schools Airweiler and Nonenwerk.