THE VISIT OF DR. GRIMES TO AKAROA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 12, 13 July 1888, Page 5

THE VISIT OF DR. GRIMES TO AKAROA.

(From the Akaroa Mail.)

The visit of Dr. Grimes to the Catholics of Akaroa has created conI siderable interest amongst most classes of the community and from those over whom he holds spiritual authority the welcome accorded him has been as warm as he could have anticipated. It is no less than eleven years since a Roman Catholic Bishop visited Akaroa, so it can be judged no little interest ie folt, and when we state no fewer than forty -five had been prepared for Confirmation in such a small community it will «how how wide that interest is. The Bishop arrived by coach on Wednesday, and alighted at the entrance to the church, Which had b^en specially adorned in honour of the vis.t, and in spite of the unpleasant weather presented a very festive appearance. There were six arches of evergreens and flowers, and these were decorated with many flags. Over the p >rch at the gate was the Irish inscription " Cead mille failthe," a hundred thousand welcomes, and over the porch was the legend " Welcome, Prince of the Church." The church itself was mos 1 beautifully decorated with flowers and foliage, a wonderful display considering the season. Having robed himself, the Bishop entered the church porch, accompanied by Father Kickham, where he was presented with the following address by Mr. F. Narbey of Onuku, who read it very distinctly and intelligently :—: — " To the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes, S.M., Bishop of Christchurch. " My Lord, — We, the undersigned members of the committee on behalf of the Catholica of the district of Akaroa, respectfully beg to offer you a sincere and cordial welcome to this, the oldest Battlement in jour extensive dioceso, and to express our sense of the honour conferred on us by your visit here to-day. Our heartfelt gratitude is dae to the Holy Father for the consideration he has extended to nis children in this remote part of the Apoitolic See, in promoting their spiritual welfare by proclaiming the new Bishopric of Ctuistchurch ; and, whilst congratulating your Lordship on your elevation to the Episcopacy, our humble prayer is offered that you may be granted long life an* abundant graces to perform the onerous duties attaching to the exalted and holy offica wkich you have chGSen to fill. We hasten to assure your Lordship ot our steadfast loyally and obedieuco to the Church, and our earnest doßire t > gratefully acknowledge the great benefits we daily derive from its teachings. We are anxious to record the Appreciation af tho services of our present pastor, whose untiring energy and thoughtful solicitude for ua at all times bas fully earned our love and esteeoi. It is unfortunate that, being situate at such a considerable distance froia the parish church at Lyttelton, our pastor is only enabled to viat n« once in each montb, but we humbly submit to your Lordship our hopj that the oldest Catholic community in your diocese may yet enjoy i.<« blessings aud advantages to be derived from the presence of a resident priest. We legret we cannot direct your Lordship's attention to auy educational institution of our own. We are compelled by circumstances to avail ourselves of the present system, but trust ere long ue just claims of the Catmohcs, aided by your Lordship's able advocacy, will be admitied by the Legislature, and State aid granted to enabic ns to provide for our children the luestioirtble blessiug o( a. souad Christian education. Humbly beseeching your Lordship's blessing, and devoutly praying that you may long be spared to govern tiv diocese of Cnristcburcb, we beg to subscribe ourselves — Your faithlul aud obedient children, — Francis Narbey, Antonio Rolngujs, Josep.i Vangioni, Victor Narbey, Patrick O Gallaghan, Antoni Kotlowski. — Akaroa, June 21, 1888." Ihe address was printed in gold and colours on white satia, and wii a great credit to Mr. Penhngtoa, of tne Mail officp, being beautifully finished. In reply the Bishop said that the presentation of this address was a surprise, and a most agreeable one. He was pitted indeed to see the children of the Church pay respect to thj most High, through him. This, the oldest settlemint of the Church in his diocese, had particular interest for him, and he h*d come as soon as possibla to visit them to make himself acquainted with their wants. Tne Sovere.gu Pontiff had sent him amongst them to see how their spiritual wants had b< ea attended to by the priests, aud he was happy to tell tham that he had found this had been well done. They owed gratitude to their Holy Father for the interest he hadtakeu in their wants, and tlaiu was no new interest, for the want of a Bishop for this diocese had been known for ten years, and spoken much of in Home when he was there, and they had only waited to obtain the necessary information before making the appointment. He did not know then he should have been chosen for this great woik, a»d wished one more worthy had been selected, but would do oil poor utmost for the greater glory of God, and hoped, whilut Baying his own soul, to help others. He thanked tham for their words of congratulation ; they wished him long life, but long life w»b not always desirable, and what ho wished for was th« abundant grace to fulfil his duties. He was glad of their steadfast loyalty to the Church and its teachings. These should not by merely uttered by the lips, but should sink into the heart In all timef since the establishment of the Church it had been the custom of their Sovereign Pumiff to send his delegates to cifilise and Christianise the world. There was that dear land <.f the West, to which St. Patrick had beea -ent by th j Pope ; St. Augustine had been sent to England by at. Gregory, and France, Ita y, Spam, Portugal, and other countries had been civilised and Christianised by bishops of the Holj See. Priests had been sent to this tettlement of Akaroa forty years ago from France, tht» land of saiuts, willing to tncounter all hardships for the gloiy of God and the saving of souls. Ho w s g.aU they vow posbebsed a pa^or of such untiring cneigy, but rigiciica

with them the fact that he was at too great a distance to be constantly amongst them. He took it, however, that it was a question of their ability as a congregation, and no doubt in time they would gain their desires. Nj doubt there were many reason*, but they would forgiva him if he spoke humorously, and eaid they reminded him of the rifit of an emperor to a certain place, where the residents ••id they could give him a dozen reasons for not giving him a greater reception, the first of which was that they had no means. When they spoke of priests, he might say that twenty or thirty had offered to come with him to New Zealand. He had not a dozen reasons for not accepting the offer, but he hei two. The first was that he had no means, aa« they could not be brought out without considerable expense, and he did not wish to beg means ; and secondly, he did not know the wants of the diocese. It had been his first study on his arrival to ascertain those wants, and for that purpose he should already have visitsd all part 3of his diocese, except the Chatham Islands, very shortly. In fact, he had only to vißit one more place at tbe extreme north of the West Coast, where he had sent a priest to precede him, and shotld follow shortly. He hoped when he bad learned their wants to supply labourers for this vineyard of the Lord. He was pleased indeed to visit the first ' settlement of the Church, which seemed to him a spot most beautiful and romantic. He regretted with them they had no educational institution of their own and would do his best to try aod remedy this want. No educational system could be beneficial that put aside God and the soul. We were put on this earth for a mighty purpose, and the end of creation wag to make our souls perfect to meet God. He, therefore, hoped to ste their aspirations realised, and all efforts ia suck a direction would have his hearty blessing God bless you all I The Bishop then entered the ch«rch, where prayers were said. Some awsic wai excellently rendered by the choir, Mr. Williams conducting. A beautiful " Bcce Sacerdos " welcomed the Bishop, and a very sweet, and plaintive " Tantum Ergo " of Mr. Williams' own composition was most effectively rendered. The Bishop made an address oa the objects of hia mission from the altar. He dwelt especially on those words of the Credo—" The Communion of Saints "—speaking of the duty of the congregation to "the Chnrch suffering," to help which was one of the objects of his mission. He alluded at length to tbe forthcoming confirmation and the blessing of the Holy Father and plenary indulgence, which would be conveyed to the congregation on the following day. The address was a most eloquent one, and listened to with deep attention.

and producers, and those they employed. (Loud applause.) fhat was the best form in which they ciuld havo protection. Hi» Honour conclude i by expressing the hjpe that the hirness would prove uteful to Father .\lahoney in his arduous ami self-denying work of piety aod mercy, which it was his privilege and joy to perform. It was not easy to express his own faeliusjs, or those of the embscribars for the Reverend Fattier, and it was best to let one's words be few, because many words might weaken, or seem to weaken, the real strength of the regard they hai for Father Maboney. (Anplaute.) r Father Mahoney said he could hardlr find words to express his thanks for the very handsome present, but he was afraid the members of his ohuroh were taxing theamlres too severely in making saeh valuable gifts. II was not long ago when he went for a trip they gave him a purse of •overoigas.and now this splendid set of harness, During the thirteen ot fourteen years he had bien in Nelson, they had, both In the oity asd country, shown him great kindness, and many outside of their Ohuroh had exhibited feeliugs of respect towards him. To one and all he returned his sincere thanks (applause). The subscribers to the present mast have known his weakness for a good horse, and that he liked to see his horse in a good dress. With regard to Master Hunt, ho evidently was following in the footsteps of his father, whom Bishop Horan once stated was the most successful collector he ever knew. Ha (Father Mahoney) cmld not forget thai his labours in Nelson had been under the supervision of his age 4 friend the Yen. Arch- Pries* Garin, who had been a New Zealand colonist for 48 years, and a Nelson settler for 88 years. The Yea, Father, although laid by from aotiva work, assisted them greatly by his wise counsels, and he hoped Father Garin would be long spared to them (lond applause). The harness would be used in the work alluded to by Judge Broad, and every time he used it he would be reminded of their kindness and food-will (applause). After partaking of refreshment, and enjoying a pleasant ohat with Father Garin oa New Zealand in 1840 an 4 Nelaon ia 186^ tfce gathering separated. There were also addresses amd birthday presents pretested (• ttat Very Bey. Father by the conveat school girls, and by the St« Mary's Industrial School staff, at Stoke ; aad an address f roia the orphans et the institation, aow naaberiag 800 boys and girls.