THE BISHOP OF DUNEDIN ON FAITH AND

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 26, 21 October 1887, Page 13

THE BISHOP OF DUNEDIN ON FAITH AND

FATHERLAND.

(Melbourne Advocate, October 1.) As a representative organ of the Catholic laity we have no hesitation in saying that among the visiting prelates who were lately assembled here there is not one who is held in higher esteem than the venerable Bishop of Dunedin. Of his Lordship it may be said, in the words of the inspired writer, that he has " estimation amon? the multitude and with the elders." No bishop could be more beloved by his own|people than Dr. Moran is, and we know of not one who merits in a higher degree the confidence and affection of his flock. There are spheres in which an Irish bishop is called upon to display his sagacity and courage more conspicuously than has ever been demanded of the Bishop of Dunedin. There are circumstances in which a performance of the duties appertaining to the episcopal office is surrounded with more difficulties and attended with more peril than he has experienced ; but none of those great ecclesiastics whose fortitude and wisdom were put most severely to test in times of political disquietude were previously distinguished by higher qualities than those of which there is abundant proof in the long missionary career of the Most Rev. Dr. Moran. The day on which a panegyric of his Lordship's life may be fitly written is, we hope, far distant, but we may venture to make a few brief allusions to its distinguishing characteristics. He followed the people of hia race to their new home in a distant land. His love of them, though a secondary consideration, strongly influenced him in favour of that c urse. As in the case of almost every liith priest, religion and

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patriotism were his inspiring motives, and to these instincts his lordship has been consistently faithful throughout his long career. He has laboured assiduously and earnestly to raise his flock both in the moral and social scale. He has worked ceaselessly for that end, and not content with the means ordinarily employed for the purpose . £?* in requisition that great lever through which much evil in life is wrought, but which, nevertheless, is one of the most powerful means of raising the religious, intellectual, and political status of a people, In the haads of oppressors the Press has been a most galling and eft ctive weapon ; for beneficent purposes it is no less powerful when rightly and ably used, and a better Irish-Australian journal than the Nevt Zealand Tablet there is not in the colonies. It was started under the auspices of his Lordship, and it is published under his supervision. And possibly, if editorial secrets were disclosed, it would become known that Dr. Moran's connection with the paper is even more intimate than we have indicated. It certainly reflects with considerable ability the venerable prelate's views on questions of Irish and Catholic interest, and from that circumstance it may be inferred that he iB the guiding star by whose light its pages are illuminated.

m If Dr. Mcran had been altogether Bilent on Irish questions since he became our visitor we should very much regret it • for though no information was needed as to how his Lordship felt on the subject, it was very desireable that his countrymen here should derive from such a high authority encouragement to take an interest m them. The time and piace in which his Lordship spoke on the subject were the very best that could have been suggested. What he said at the Sodality meeting on Friday evening, 23rd September may be compared to good seed cast oa well-prepared soil The sodahsts were willing and eager listeners. Several of them have already entered on their career in life. All of them are old enough to have taken a good grasp of what was said to them, and it may be hoped that the seed then sown wil\ yet bear good fruit in abundance. It will seem from our iepoit of his Lordship's remarks tkat he takes a very deep interest in promoting the study of Irish history among Irish- Australians. To that advice coming from such a source, very great interest is to be attached and we trust that it will not fall unheeded on those good people by whom the studies in our primary schools are directed. Dr. Moran, referring to the teaching ot Christian doctritie, remarked that 11 knowledge is power," and he explained what he meant by the phrase in tbat application. It seems to us that with equal force it might be applied to his advice regarding Irish histery. The power of the National League ia chiefly derived from the knowledge of that history which has been lately spread abroad. It inspires the Irishmen at Home with almost ever/ virtue they are practising in the struggle, and if it had been taught here in our schools, liberally as IrishAustralians have helped the Old Land, they would have been still more generous ; and as allies their influence, though not small, would have been greater than it has been.

In support of his Lordship's, advice we shall quote himself, giving his words at another time and place, and it will be acknowledged that we could not bring up a better authority. Replying some months past to a number of addresses which were presented to him on the occasion the fortieth anniversary of his ordination, he said : " 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, tbat you neglect no opportunity of instilling a lo?c 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 Bystems 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 wnich he is sprung is ignoble and ba«e."