THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HIERARCHY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 5, 27 May 1887, Page 15

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HIERARCHY.

MOTK R Sovereign Pontiff Lbo XIII. has established ■Km a hierarchy in Mew Zealand, to consist of the JSmK. Archbishop of Wellington and the Bishops of vRKZfi Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin. This is, jJSfKi indeed, a step in advance, and a solemn and xferg? authoritative recognition of the position to which Catholicity has attained in this country in a comparatively short time. And it also affords evidence of the care and watchfulness with which the Holy See provides for the religious necessities of the faithful even in the remotest regions. We the children of the Church in these dioceses art one and all deeply grateful to our Holy Father for thus providing' for our wants, promoting our interests, and recognising the works of the faith, charity, and mil of the Catholics of New Zealand. It will be for us to show by perseverance in these works that this recognition has not been premature and without solid foundation. New Zealand Catholicity has passed the mere missionary and provisional stage, and is now in a position to stand side by side on a footing of equality, as to normal government, with the most ancient churches. A few years ago, who could have thought such a consummation possible ? Hardly more than a dozen years have elapsed since the number of Catholics here was small and since this small number was poorly provided with churches, schools, and priests. What a wonderful change must have taken place in a few years to justify the Holy See in taking such a solemn and important step as the erection of an ecclesiastical province in this country. But so it is ; and in presence of this striking fact, one naturally asks : Whence has arisen, from what source has proceeded this wonderful progress ? It is only necessary to cast a very cursory glance over the history of the last doaen years to be enabled to give an answer to this question. The overwhelming majority of the Catholics, laity and priests, of this country are of the Irish race, and no one can be ignorant of their eeal for the faith and their generosity to the Church. This statement, which is undeniable, indicates the source and means of this wonderful growth of the Church which has induced the Sovereign Pontiff to bestow upon us a system of perfect ecclesiastical organisation. Our province, oar hierarchy, therefore, is fundamentally the work of Irish Catholics. In making this statement, we in no way intend to depreciate Catholics of other nationalities. Bat these are few. Indeed, among these Catholics of other nationalities are to be found some who are not surpassed as Catholics by any in the land, and no one recognises more readily and gratefully their merits than we do, But it is a well-known fact that there are others amongst them, and it is to be feared these are comparatively numerous, who are never seen at the Holy Mass, never receive the Sacraments, and never contribute to the support of the Church. It cannot be said that these are a credit to the various countries from which they came ; or that people whose profession of Catholicity is reserved for the time of the census, which occurs once in every four or five years, ought to be really numbered among Catholics. But with Irish Catholics and their children it is altogether different. Who fill all our churches at Holy Mass ? Who are found at the confessionals ? Who approach in crowds, full of faith and fervour, the table of the Lord ? And who are they whose purses are ever open to share their worldly substance with the Church of Christ ? But one answer is possible : Who, indeed, bat Irish Catholics ? Wonderful, truly amazing, is the destiny of the Catholics of Ireland. They have been called the missionaries of the modern world. And they are so. Examine the history of the Catholic Church in the United States, Canada, Cape of Good Hope, Australia, New Zealand, in a word, in all the British colonies, and you will find that the Irish Catholics have been everywhere mainly the instruments in the hands of Divine Providence of establishing the Church, the chief cause of the propagation of the faith . They may not have had always and everywheie priests of their own nationality to minister to them, but with the Irish a priest as such is always acceptable. No doubt they prefer their own soggarth aroon, "their own darling priest, but so deep is their faith and their devotion to the Vicar of Christ that they gladly and thankfully avail themselves o£. the ministry of all pri sts with whom they come in contact. Again and again they have found themselves in countries where the language of the priests was not their language and where even to the end they

were unable to understand their preaching, yet even there they never failed in their loyalty and generosity to these priests. They hare often and often had priests orer them who did not care to disguise their contempt for their nationality so dear to them, and who opposed th«ir most cherished projects ; and priests who could only badly conceal their contempt for them as Irishmen, yet they themselves never failed in respect for tbese priests or closed their purses against them. No, no ; to an Irish Catholic a priest is always a priest, the minister of Christ, the messenger of God. Is it not well known that notwithstanding their overwhelming numbers and their service to religion in England and Scotland, for example, they do not meet with that respect to which they are entitled from ecclesiastics in these two countries— that whilst they are nine-tenths of the Catholics in these kingdoms, ecclesiastics of their nationality have not been always fairly treated ? And yet in the face of all this Irish Catholics go on practising their religion, and aiding the Church as if they were the most favoured in the land. Wonderful, indeed, is their lot. For centuries they were cruelly persecuted in their own land, by an alien government, plundered again and again, hunted like wild beasts, barbarously butchered for daring to practise their religion, which, nevertheless, they did, despite all opposition — driven from their homes into all lands. But wherever they went they carried their glorious faith with them, and though despised by their persecutors in their own country and Great Britain, became famous, even illustrious, for learning, valour, statesmanship, and fidelity to their benefactors in other lands : and for the hospitality extended to them in America and the British colonies they became in return for fair play the pioneers of Catholicity and Christian civilisation. Here in New Zealand, for example, what have they not done in the cause of religion and Christian education ? Need we delay in recounting all ? Cannot he that runs read ? The monuments of their faith, piety , and generosity are sown broadcast all over the land. Is it not so ? Who can deny it ? Who can deny that if the Irish Catholic element were taken away from this country the Church would disappear along with it, or if any vestige remained it would be small indeed ? It is this Irish Catholic element, therefore, which is especially entitled to congratulate itself on this occasion, for the establishment of the hierarchy is mainly due to it, and is At once a solemn recognition and a 'monument of its faith, and zeal, and generosity.

We see from the Auckland papers that the foundation-stone of a new church has been laid at Onehunga. The church is to be dedicated under the title of the Assumption into Heaven of the Mother of God, and will form another mouuaent to the zeal and devotion with which the Rev. Father Paul has so lone: fulfilled the duties of the mission. The stone was laid by the Bishop of Auckland and the Most Rev. Dr. Redwood, who was also present, preached a •ermon suited to the occasion. Tub statue of Burns in the Octagon at Dunedin was unveiled on Tuesday by a young lady who is descended from the poet. Sir George Grey was present on the occasion and delivered an eloquent oration. In the evening a banquet was given at which the proceed' ings, towards the end, became rather lively, testifying, perhaps, to the appreciation by the company of the bard in his moie frisky moods. The statue lepresents Burns as seated on the etutnp of an oak tree, his Uft arm extended across a branch so as to show the hand hanging down. The right aim is pns«ed close to the B'.de and the hand holds a pen. The effect is not very good. Tub cable has been, if possible, surpassing itself in contradictions. It evidently conveys to us one day what the agent desires to happea and on the next acquaints us with the failure of his wishes. We were toM first that Sir W M' Arthur who won the election for the St. Anstell division of Cornwall was a Conservative that had beaten a Liberal, and then came the correction that Mr. Macarthur was a Liberal who had beaten a Conservative. Next came the ridiculous and wholly incredible report that the memb«ri of the Irish college at Rome had denounced the Irish movement in unmeasured terms at the Vatican. But two day 9 later came the truth, winch we already knew, that they bid done nothing of the kind.— Another report that we Bhall probably find incorrect also is totheeflct th»t Dr. M'Glynn, a dignitary of the Catholic Church, speaking at New York, has declared that he would honour any man who felt it his duty to kill the Czar. Dr. M'Glvnn, as we know, has becu lately suspende 1 for irregular and somewhat violent action in regard to political matters, for which, moreover, he had at a former period incurred remonstrance if not censure. Still, in all probability, what we aie now told concerning his utterance is, if not a complete invention, at least, a gross exaggeration.

The Conrt of Appeal, much more wise than Mr. Bankruptcy Boyd, has decided that the imprisonment of Father Keller cannot do much good, and has ordered his release. — Perhaps the example shown by Constable Dorney in Father Byan'a case has induced the Government to withdraw the hand they bad stretched out against the priesthood. Even an Irish policeman may draw a line somewhere, an 3 without the aid of the Force Government could do nothing. An extremely successful concert was given in the Princess Theatre, Dunedin, on Tuesday evening by Mr. F. Leech's violin school. The instrumental performance, which" was the leading feature, as we might have expected, was very agreeably varied by vocal items, in which the Misses B. Leech and A. Conway and Mr. E. Towsey particularly distinguished themselves. The principal solos on tbe violin were contributed by Master C. Barrett, whose playing becomes more admirable every year, and the Misses Nina Scblotel and Marion Tudehope— who never fail to astonish an audienceOther tiny performers who also did marvels were the Misses XMaunsell and M. Watson. Some overtures played by the full band were remarkably fine. Mr. Leech, on the whole, may be highly congratulated on the results of his labours. Thb difficulty in the formation of a new French Ministry, to replace that house divided against itself— the Cabinet of M. Goblet, arising from the determination of the people that General Boulanger must continue to act as Minister for War, is anything rather than confirmative of the assertion that the popularity of the General was founded on a mere dramatic appearance. It would seem that there is real confidence placed in him by the populace, and that they are prepared to follow his lead, wherever it may conduct them — and as to that the possibilities are evidently hazardous. Times, moreover, are shown to be much advanced by the serious proposal that M. Clemenceau should be Premier. And whether at home or abroad, the future of the republic hardly gives a reliable promise of peace. Mr. O'Brien, has been shamefully treated by the Orangemen in Canada, who, it is said, were actually bent on murdering him. He has returned to the States, but seems to have left behind him a disturbed condition of things in which Nationalists and their assailants are fighting it out with firearms. After tremendous opposition from the Irish party the second clause of the Coercion Bill ha 9 passed through committee leaving the others, with an important amendment whose postponement has been taken as a defeat for the Government, to be considered after the Whitsuntide recess. The Liberal-Unionists appear in some degree to be giving way, as they have signified their dissent from the proposed ccange of the venue of trials. The letter published by the Times and said to be afao simile of one written to Mr. Egan is not in Mr: Parnell'«s writing, and only the concluding line and the signature counterfeit hia hand. Mr. Parnell declares that only three letters of the signature have any resemblance to those formed by him. Ho denounces the forgery as intended to blacken bis character and influence the impending divi. sion. He further repudiates all connection with secret societies. It is also reported that M.Grevy is desirous to avoid M. Clemenceau by inviting M. Floquet to form a Government. This statesman, however, is distinguished as having insulted the late Czar on a vi-it paid by him to Paris, when he cried out in His Majesty's face, Vive U Pologne, repeating the cry two or three times.— As it has now transpired that Germany was only prevented from attacking France in 1874 by the intervention 6f Russia, the appointment would seem additionally inopportune. The fact of its being proposed indeed shows to what straits tbe Republic is reduced. While we have no desire whatever to detract from the importance of secondary education, or, especially, to fail in according all possible credit to the successful efforts made at St. Patr'ck's College, Wellington, to give such an education to the Catholic boys of the Colony, we must in justice take exception to the exaggerated statement made in the address presented to Archbishop Redwood on Sunday to the effect that the institution in question was the " most successful Catholic educational institution in these colonies " Really the worthy people of Wellington should be satisfied wiih being on a par with their neighbours, and should hesitate before offering a direct slight— to the Jesuit Fathers, for example, in Melbourne and Sydney where they well sustain their long-earned character of the first among the educating Orders of tbe Catholic Church. It would, moreover, be an extremely unfortunate thing if any secondary school or college should surpass in success the primary schools where the great body of the Catholic children must be educated. We are confident the good Marist Fathers must look upon such flattery, so offensive to their humility as fervent religious, with additional displeasure, since it goes most unfairly to discredit the equally excellent work of the members of other Orders, and of many zealous and efficient lay teachers. It is not always happy or advisable to be comparative in one's utterances. Wk desire to draw the particular attention of our readers to an appeal made in another column by the Rev. Father Ginaty on behalf

of the Magdalen Asylum at Christchurch. A favourable response to it will be an action of the most meritorious kind. We have again to remind our Dunedin readers of the concert in aid of the St. Vincent de Paul Society to be given this (Friday) evening in St. Joseph's scoblroom. Their attendance in aid of a most admirable charity is earnestly requested. Major Atkinson has proposed a vote of No Confidence to the effect that the tariff and other financial proposals of the Govern* ■ z>t are unsatisfactory — of which, indeed, there appears to be little duubt. The provibions of the tariff, while in several instances they are prohibitive so far as regards absolute necessaries— not lo be manufactured or produced in the Colony, — would also lead in some instances to the loss of employment by many of the working classes. Such would be the case, for example, with respect to tbe jam factoiies, which would be closed at once if the proposed duty were levied on fruit pulp. — It U believed that the Government occupy a doubtful position, and as, it defeated, they will probably appeal t» the country, a general election at an early date may be very possible. Those requiring the services of a dentist should call on Messrs Myers and Co., Dentists, Octagon, corner of George street. They guarantee highest class work at moderate fees. Their artificial work gives general satisfaction, and the fact of them supplying a tern porary denture while the gums are healing does away with the inconvenience of being months without teeth. They manufacture a single artificial tooth for Ten Shillings, and sets equally moderate. The administration of nitrous oxide gas is also a great boon to those needing the extraction of a tooth. Read. We desire to call attention to Mr. Armstrong's (Dentist) new method of extraction, by which, although absolutely painless, the ill effects of chloroform, or the racking headache so often experienced after nitrous - oxide gas, is completely done away with. Mr. Armstrong's artificial work can safely rest on its merits ; and as all the fees are but one half the usual ones, we can safely recommend persons with defective teeth to 112 Princes street, exactly opposite Cargill's Monument. Messrs. Remshardt. McDonald and Co., Bond street, Dunedin, •ffer most liberal terms to persons wishing to dispose of wool, grain, rabbitfkin;, and all such matters. Messrs. Robert rieland and Co. advertise for two millions of rabbitskins. Sheepskins, horse hair, etc., are also bought by them at the highest prices given. Weesrs. J. H. Hancock and Co.. Kensington, have constantly on hand a large stock of coal and firewood of every kind and of the best possible qualities at exirernely moderate prices. Mr. D. Macgregor, Jetty street, ip agent for the " Ben Mac Duhi " whiskey, with vvaosi quali i -3 all goo I judge 3 are well acquainted.