FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MOST REV. DR. MORAN'S ORDINATION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 7, 10 June 1887, Page 9

FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MOST REV. DR. MORAN'S ORDINATION.

Ow Sunday, the fortieth anniversary of the ordination of the Meet Ber. Dr. Moran to the priesthood, High Mass ooram epitc*p» was celebrated in St. Joseph's Cathedral at 11 a.m., and addresses of congiatalation were presented to his Lordship by the member sof the H.A.0.8.8.,and0f the religions confraternities belonging to the congregation, of which there are now five in active operation, the men's Society of the Holy Family, and the women's of our Lady of Perpetual Succour, being respectively the largest with regard to numbers, but all being of creditably numerous membership, zealous, and a source of much good and many blessings among the Catholic people. Shortly before the commencement of Mass, the H.A.C.8.5., mustering strongly, and wearing their regalia, with thei* banner borne at their head, marched down from their rooms in Battray street to the cathedral, which they entered by the great door, and took up their place in seats especially reserved for them in the nave next to the temporary sanctuary on the Gospel side of the altar. Ihe religious confraternities were generally dispersed through the church, which was crowded, notwithstanding the large attendance, and the very many communicants at the early Masses, the male element being especially conspicuous. At the hour appointed for the commencement of High Mass, the Bishop and cler.'y entered the cathedral from the vestry in procession, the Rev. Father Donnelly acting as cross-bearer, and while the Ecee Sacerdos Magnus was sung by the choir, took his place on the episcopal throne. The Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Hunt, "with the Rev. Father Vereker as deacon, and the Rev. Father Donnelly as sub-deacon, and the Rev. Father Lynch as Master of Ceremonies, and the choir sang with very fine effect a selected Mass, Herr Scherek's performance on the organ seeming, if possible, to be more masterly than ever. After the communion the epistle and Gospel for the day were read by the Key. Father Lynch, who alluded, in a few words, to the presentation about f i be made, explaining that it was only two or three days previously that the fact of Saturday's being the fortieth anniversary of his Lordship's ordination had come to the knowledge of the various societies, and we may add that this fact also accounts for the absence of an address on the occasion from the laity generally, who, however, were well represented by the members of the H.A.C.8.R., and of the confraternities, and who, moreover, showed their good - will and sympathy bothjby their presence and in other significant ways. On the conclusion of the Mass, the Blessed Sacrament being removed from the Tabenacle and borne in procession by the clergy to the vestry, Mr. Cornelius Bun bury, one of the Prefects of the Confraternity of the Holy Family, entered the sanctuary, carrying the address of the confraternities, which had been printed in ornamental characters with violet ink, on white satin, and enclosed in a richly gilt frame, and read as follows :— " Address of the religious confraternities connected with the Catholic congregation of Dunedin, to the Most Rev. Dr. Moran on the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of his sacerdotal ordination : — " Most Ret. Lokd Bishop. " We, the members of the religion Societies connected with the Catholic congregation of Dunedin, beg of you to receive our most sincere and heartfelt felicitariooe on the occurrence of the fortieth anniversary of your ordination to the priesthood. Your Lordship's career as a priest and bishop has been one of no ordinary labonrs, and the success with which it has been invariably crowned has resulted in countless blessings to many people in different parts of the world, as it has won tor you personally abundant love and gratitude on earth, and as, we hope ar d believe, a glorious reward hereafter Part of your labours we have ourselves witnessed, and of what had gone before we have received intelligence from those who had an opportunity of being acquainted with it. We have heard of you as the young priest engased in administering to the poor of the capital city of your native land, and expending upon that wearing task all the zeal and all the devotion that have won our own admiration. We have heard of you as the youngest bishop of your day, younger, perhaps, than acy who has since been consecrated, sent to work among the settlers in South Africa and sharing all the difficulties of the missionary life. " You, also, Lord Bishop, have known the weariness of the pioneer; the fatigues of the pathless wilderness, the long day's journey beneath the burning sun, and the night passed with no shelter from the inclemency of the open skies. We have heard of the humility with which, when there was need of it, you relinquished the studies in which your intellect delighted, to give yourself up daily to the instruction of litrle children, and of how, in a word, under your fostering care, and promoted by your untiring zeal, a prosperous Catholic community grew up and flourished in the colony we speak of.

" It was no slight proof of your devotion to the cause of religion, Lord Bishop, and of your obedience and docility to the Holy See that, at the word of the Pope, you agreed to quit the country where so many years of your life were spent —where so many monuments of your successful labours were established, and where you held so deep a place in the hearts of a devoted people —an Irish people Mke ourselves to whom as an Irish priest and bishop you were doubly dear , where, moreover, you had won 60 high a place in ihe esteem of those who did not belong to your flock that your memory remained among them also, so that on your late visit to their settlements they greeted your coming with the pealing of their churchbells.

" But at the time when your life as a pioneer bishop had been crowned with success, and everything seemed to promise a future of comparative ense and comfort, passed among institutions that you had founded and fostered into vigorous life, and in the midst of friends who had grown with you yourself from youth to middle age or whom you had Been grow up from childhood to youth, the word was spoken at Rome and you obeyed without hesitation or remonstrance.

"You left all, Lord Bishop, and came here to aa almost completely barren shore, where a greater and a harder work than 700 had already done lay before you. For what is so hard as to recall the erring or to reawaken into fervour religion that has grow* cold f Ton fonnd yourself once more in a wilderness, and a stronger effort was demanded from your middle age than had been required of your youth. " Here also, Lord Bishop.severe physical labour was imposed upon you ; for sixteen years ago the country waa still very rough, and while the inconveniences to which you were pat in this city of youc see were not slight, the fatigues of travelling through your v»3t diocese were considerable. " There are among us, indeed, some who remember the visits you were called upon to pay also to other parts of the Colony, particularly to the West Coast, and their testimony is marked as to th« self* sacrifice and devotion shown by you, as well as to the lasting impression produced by your instructions and fearless exhortations. " But is it necessary for us to speak of what you have accomplished here ? We look around us, and see the wilderness transformed into a garden. Our large and devout congregation, our schools, our confraternities, our cathedra], all are the works of your episcopate. Nay, it is owing to you, as we have reason to believe, that there is to* day permision for a Catholic school to be taught in any part of New Zealand . It was you, Lord Bishop, whose clearness of sight penetrated the meaning of the Education Bill when it was first introduced, and it was your voice that sounded the note of alarm ; you roused the Catholics throughout the Colony to a seuse of their danger, and banded them together in opposition. If to-day no Catholic in the country can send his child to a secular school without a sense of shame in his inmost soul, this fact is due to you. " In all these forty years, Lord Bishop, you have not spared your* self ; you have been, before all things, a worker. Indeed, it puzzles us to tell how, in the middle of such ezteusive and incessant labours, you have found time for the study that has maintained the depth and wideness of your scholarship. Bat when have you ever been called upon and found waiting ! Who bas needed instruction from you that has not obtained it ? When bas the Church been attacked that you hays not been reidy with aD answer by word of mouth or with your pen 1 No fact of history has escaped you : no theological difficulty baffles your solution ; no philosophical proposition demands in vain your explanation. Nevertheless, while you have guided, and instructed, and explained, and defended as a bishop, you have worked like a humble curate. " We desire, therefore, Lord Bishop, on this auspicious occasion, to assure you of our admiration and respect. Our love and esteem are yours by a double claim. As a Catholic bishop, the father and friend of every member of your flock, you possess them. As an Irish bishop, moreover, united to us by bonds that have ever been among the chief and most honourable characteristics of our race, they are yours most fervently. And, as the forty years of your priesthood and episcopate have been passed in serving God and in doing good without cessation among the people over whom in Hia mercy, and for their great benefit, He has in succession tet you, so we pray may the time that still remains to you — and may it b-t of long duration — be fruitful in successful works and crowned for you with peace and happiness. " Confraternity op the Holy Family. " Confraternity op the Sacred Heart. •'Confraternity of the Children of Mary. "Confraternity of Our Lady of Perpetctal Succour. " society of St. Vincent de Paul." Mr. Bunbury then presented the address to his Lordship and returned to his place in the front r >w of the nave. Mr. William Cunningham, President of the H.A.C.8.5., in a similar manner, read the address of this Society, which had been printed and framed in the same handsome style as that of the confraternities. It ran as follows : — "Address of the H.A.0.8.5. (St. Joseph's Branch), to the Most Rev. Dr. Moran, on the fortieth anniversaiy of his sacerdotal ordination :—: — •' Most Ret. Lord Bishop, " We, the members of the H.A.C.8.5., are happy to congratulate you on the completion of your fortieth year in the priesthood of the Catholic Church. Those years have been fruitful of good works, and we trust that many yeais still remain in whicn tie coarse so faithfully and admirably run by you will be continued, to our great benefit and edification. We desire ou the present occasion to address your Lordship, as, moreover, it especially befits our Society, in your character of an Irish priest and prelite. We, indeed, like all true Catholics, reverence the priestly ofli< c by whomsoever it is represented, and whether it be Englishman, or Scotchman, or Frenchman, or tbe member of whatever nation it may be, who bears the sacred character, we give him, as is right, our respect ami veneration. " But there is a tie that, above all others, binds us in closer and dearer relations to the Irish priest. Our country's true glory, Lord Bishop, was from the first bound up with tbe Catholic religion. Ireland, in the early 1 " ages of her conversion, not only shone within her own boundaries with a glorious light, but sent abroad into other countries the lamp of faith and intellectual culture. And, in the days of her fall, religion sustained her. The steadfastness of her people, under centuries of tri<»l and persecutions unknown elsewhere, forms the happiest memory in their history and affords to us their children an example which it should be our constant endeavour to foil. w. " But what would have heen the glories of the ancient days, or the support of the ages of misfortune, had it not been for the priests who led the way and were the very soul of both ? As of old they formed a saintly nation at home, and built up shrines and c jlleges of great renown ; as they went out over the face of Europe, converting peoples, fonnding monastries, that were tbe centres, not only of religion but of learning and civilisation, and encountering fearlessly and with success the opposition of princes, or using their friendship to advance tbe service of God and tbe welfare of mankind, so in the later times of desolation they were found full of courage, faith, and

devotion. Their resting-placei were in the bogs or on the wild hills ; their altars were tbe rocks upon the mountain-side— a price was laid upon their heads hs on the head of the wolf, and they were ceaselessly tracked from hiding-place to hiding-place. Bat they never faltered, never deserted their people, and never yielded to tbe tyrant, though he took their lives or threw them into prison as his arbitrary will directed. " The same spirit, Lord Bishop, is strong even to-day in oar Irish priests. Should the call be made upon them they are ready once more to brave the winter and the desert, or to submit to the hand of the gaoler or the hangman. We have before us even now the grand proofs that it is so given, on behalf of all, by Father Keller, the gentle and venerable priest, torn from his retirement because .he refused to betray tbe confidence of his p ople, and by his younger companion in fidelity and fortitude, Father Ryan. One spirit animates all, the old pastor burdened with his years of faithful labour, and having no desire for anything more than to end his days peacefully among tbe flock who are his familiar and beloved friends, and the young curate, entering upon life with all the high hopes of youth burning in his heart and the traditions of his native land inflaming his zeal and fervour. We know from long experience, from the experience of a nation gained through ages of a varied life, the depths of fidelity towards us that are to be found in tbe souls of our Irish priests, and we should be wanting indeed in gratitude and all the better feelings of humanity were we not to respond by meeting them with all our love and trustfulness. We respect and venerate tbe priesthood everywhere throughout the world, as we have already said, but let no man blame us if, above all, our love and devotion are given to the sofgmrtharmm, the priest of our own dear land. In him, above ftll, is the heart to feel for us, the spirit to understand our needs and onr failings, the sympathy to grieve in our grief and rejoice in our rejoicing. In him we find the kindly tone of voice ; tbe familiar word ; the nfighbourliness ; the homelike ways that cheer our loneliness in a distant country and fully win our confidence. To whom but to him can we pour out tbe fulness of our hearts, unchecked by the fear of a stranger's misunderstanding ? V But to yourself personally, Lord Bishop, as an Irish priest and prelate, we owe a particular debt. You have shown to us, and not only to us, but to all the Colony an example that is most necessary for us and for Irish Catholics everywhere. You have shown us how the Catholic and the Irishman can bear himself so as to gain and preserve the respect of people who dislike his creed and hold his nation in contempt. And this is a lesson that we are convinced it is most necessary not only for every Catholic who is a native of Ireland, but for every Catholic of Irish descent in the Colony to learn. " Beligion has always been united to Irish nationality, from the very hour when the people became Catholic to this present moment— and while rihe has conferred immense benefits on her humbler, though still most Boole, companion, she herself has also had something to gain by the alliance. The people whose independent manliness has been strengthened and proved bY the determination with which they have maintained the rights of their nationality canaot fail to prove firmer and more resolute in their fidelity to the requirements of their religion. " We, therefore, esteem it of the greatest consequence to the Catholic religion in this Colony, Lord Bishop, that Irishmen and.tbeir children should be taught fearlessly and constantly to assert their national distinctions. Should the contrary be done, and a cowardly subservience be exhibited in putting from them the Irish name and characteristics, a timid and time-serving frame of raiud will be formed among them, and will grow until tbe name of Catholic, which falls even more than that of Irishman under the prejudice and the dislike of a vast majority of their fellow-colonists, will itself become feared by them as marking them out to occupy an exceptional and an unpopular position. Another and an extremely powerful temptation will thus be added to the many that must in any case be encountered by them. They who yield in one principal matter, we say, and the Irishman's nationality is to him a matter of the first consequence, not to be relinquished or denied without the degradation of his whole character, will be more than half prepared to yield in other important things. The Irishman, in a word, or the son of an Irishman, who hangs his head at the name of Ireland will be no difficult prey for those who desire to make him cry shame on the name of Borne. "As a true Irishman, therefore, Lord Bishop, and, as such, securing respect where you cannot possibly win affection, you give every Irishman in the Colony a most illustrious example, and in this way, also, you do much towards establishing the Catholic Church among us on a firm and immovable basis. " While, then, as Catholics we reverence the example you have given us a& a Catholic Bishop, and are deeply grateful for tbe ministrations that have tended so much to our edification and progress in the Catholic faith ; as Irishmen we thank you for what, as an Irishman, you have done for us and for our children. " In conclusion, our fervent prayer is that our Irish priest and bishop, our soggarth arotn, in the best and fullest sense of the title, may long be spared to us, and that this day ten years may witness in this beautiful cathedral — then completed by his labours and with the zealous co-operation of his people, as it has been so far carried out — the celebration by us of his" golden jubilee. " W. Cunningham, President. " J. M'Connell, Vice-President. " W. Cabb, Treasurer. " C. O'Dbiscoll, Secretary." Mr. Cunningham then presented the address, and returned to his place among the members of his Society, and the congregation, who had risen to their feet on Mr. Bunbury's entering the sanctuary, and remained standing until the presentations were concluded resumed their seats. The Bishop replied as follows :—: — " My Deab Friends, " My inability to respond in suitable terms to the spirit that has prompted these beautifully-worded, eloquent, and touching addresses, v to me a source of keen disappointment and pain. Influenced

by this feeling of inability, my first imputoe, on bearing them read, was to say nothing more than might be necessary to heartily thank you for your kindness to me at all times, and especially for these over* powering proofs of your love and confidence. Bat on second thoaghts inch a course appears inadmissable. The trouble you have taken in prepari a, these addresses, the motives that bare induced you to present them on the anniversary of my first Mass, deserve much more than mere acknowledgement and mere thanks. And yet how can 1 act ? Wbat shall I say 7 The task before me is difficult, perhaps, in some respects, the most difficult I have ever had to encounter in my life. " Tour Catholic hearts have expanded on tiis occasion to an extraordinary degree, and prompted you to expend on me encomiums that a really great and good man might deserve, but which, as regards me, are Badly out of place. How can I adequately tharjk yon ? Not, indeed, for your words, which are only what an exaggerated appreciation could prompt, but for the great affection which has suggested them. For all, if anything, that I may have been the instrument of doing in this Diocese, you have to-day more than amply repaid me ; and I beg yon to believe that no words of mine can convey an idea of the depth of my gratitude, and the sincerity of my thanks, for your abounding kindness. " Tou remind me that to-day is the fortieth anniversary of my first Mass ; and although the not very cheering thought that the time which remains to me must consequently be short, naturally arises, I cannot but rejoice on this occasion at seeing assembled in this cathedral members of so many Confraternities and Societies, not in twenties and fifties only, but in hundreds and hundreds. It is in sijpb. associations as these, showing forth as they do divine faith, and depth and sincerity of piety that the strength and glory of the Church are especially manifested. Here is evidence of progress and assurance of perseverance, here is beheld the fruit for which every pastor of souls labours, and here also he reaps a large reward. Persevere, my dear f riends, in working these associations zealously, and you, too, shall reap a rich recompense. " One of these addresses. I think it is that of the Hibernian Society, speaks of the love subsisting between Irish Catholics and the stggarth woon. The very name this Society bears supplies a reason why it is meet that their address should contain such a statement. This love is, indeed, a national trait as old as Christianity in their native land, and has been strengthened by centuries of mutual sufferings and services. May it endure for ever. In the old land, as is well-known it is still as strong and active as ever ; and it should be our strenuous endeavour to transmit it to our children unimpaired ; for the union and mutual love of priest and people, which have under Providence been one of the chief means of preserving the faith and nationality of an ancient and illustrious race will secure a continuance of these blessings to their children in all lands where they may fix their homes. See, my dear friends, that you neglect no opportunity of instilling a love of Holy Church and reverence for faithful Ireland into the hearts and minds of your children, and reject with abhorrence not only all systems of godless education, but also all systems of education that would ignore the history of the Irish race and nation, and endeavour to make them forget that they are the children of Irish fathers and mothers. Bear in mind that the man who ignores, or forgets, or despises the race and nation from which he is sprung is ignoble and base. " In another of these addresses reference is made to the part I have taken in the Press and elsewhere, a3 regards education. Some of the incidents of which you have made mention had escaped my memory. Nor is this to be wondered at, the conflict has been so sharp and has continued so long, it is not surprising that one so hotly engaged for so many years should have forgotten some events and episodes. But you, it appears, have not forgotten them, and this goes to prove, were proof necessary, that in addition to the reward which one may expect hereafter for bie labours to save the taith and safeguard the morality of Catholic children, he may also expect to hold an abiding place in the grateful memories of those whom he most values and esteems, a place, too, that will not be barren, inasmuch as gratitude for such service is always accompanied with prayers for his welfare both here and hereafter. " But there is, my dear friends, another view deserving to be held up to our contemplation to-day. You have complimented and thanked me, whereas it is in reality you who should be complimented and thanked. What could a bishop do without a flock full of faith, and zeal, and generosity 1 Without such a flock how many churches could he build 1 how many schools could he erect ? how could he multiply his clergy ? how many opportunities could he have of catechising and instructing the children — the hope of the Church and the nation, a work the most divine of all divine works ? Without a faithful, docile, and devoted flock all his efforts would be in vain ; and if religion has progressed here, as you have stated, from very humble beginnings sixteen years ago to its present flourishing state, it is to your faith, and fervour, and generosity that all this, under God, is really to be attributed. You are the real missionaries here, as your compatriots are the real missionaries in other lands. To you, therefore, be the credit given and the thanks, not to me." Herr Scherek then played the out-going voluntary, and the congregation dispersed, the H.A.C.B.S. returning to their hall in the same manner as that in which they had proceeded thence to the cathedral.