BISHOP GIBNEY'S KETURN TO PERTH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 7, 14 November 1890, Page 11

BISHOP GIBNEY'S KETURN TO PERTH.

♦— —— (W. A. Record, October 16.)

On Saturday morning last his Lordship Bishop Gibney returned from bid long journey, extending over five months, to the north-west coast. Preparations had been made to welcome him on the previous day, when it was expected that his arrival would take place, but owing to the extremely tempestuous weather, the s.s. Australmd w-ia f ttei to make an unusually dangerous and long passage from Geraldton on the occasion, On Friday the little community of Subiaco, as well as the pupils of St. Bndgid's school, had to put up witii a disappunt-nf-nt. They had gathered at their respective railway platforms to greet the Bishop with a first cheer, and then to go on to Perth and join in a general procession of all the Bchools from the central etation to tbe cathedral. This was not to be; but on the following day, sb soon a*- the great b^llß of tbe cathedral tolled oat the Dotice that the Bishop was surely coming, young and oid hastened to the church in such Dumbers as to lorm a goodly-sized congregation. At the railway station, the principal Catholics nf Perth awaited to greet his Lordship. He was nvt thure by the Vicu-General >»nd Father X lly. Messrs. B. Smith, J Ho>gan, F. Mnoihea ', T. Quinlan, A- Lee, Lieutenant Campbll, and many others, mc uding also some lad its, were on the platform wtiea the Bishop came up, looking not a whit the worse fnr hia rough expeiience in the bush. A s'ately carriage and pair was in w ning outside the station to convey the Bishop to tbe cathe ral. Tbe route was taken at a blow pace to admit of tbe f< llowing of as many persons as were fortunate in procuring vehicles. Leading into the cathedral an avenue, hung with the gayest flags procurable, had been made from the outside gates to the porch of the church. An arch of greenery was erected at each end of the avenue and the poles which upheld tbe waving flags were decked out with palms and flowers. The interior of the cathedral presented a charming appearance. The altar and sanctuary, which bad been entrnst' d to tbe artistic cart of the Sisters of Mercy, were cleverly and grandly decorated and the body of the church, the care of a small but select committee of ladies, reflected great credit on their taste and skill. It was admitted that on no other occasion had the church been bo splendidly ornamented. Dr. Salvado presided at the organ and pealed forth a triumphal symphony as tbe Bishop walked up the church to take his place at the prie-dieu before the altar. Te Deum was then sang by the choir led by Mr. O'C'allaghan, aod Benediction of the Host Holy Sacrament given by tbe Vicar-General, assisted by Father Doyle. After Benedic tion a united address of welcome from the clergy and laity of the diocese was read by Father Bourke. The vicar prefaced the address with a few remarks to the effect that — in deference to His Lordship's well known aveision to the repetition of compliments, it had been decided on that only one address should be presented. But, without nny doubt the words he wa9 about to read were the simple truth as to tbe feelings of gladness with which both priests and people regarded His Lordship's safe arrival be me, and the cordiality with which they one und all tid him welcome. Tbe address ran as follows :—: — " May it please your Lordship, — On tbe glad occasion of thia, Your Lordship's return to your Episcopal See, we tbe undersigned, as representatives of the whole fluck committed to your pastoral careboth Clergy and Laity — join in fervent thanks to Almighty God, as well as congratulation of heartiest welcome to Tour Lordship, on an event which is to us a subject of joy,

" Not without anxiety have we followed the notices that reached us of Your Lordship's heroic labours in the North. These toils, undertaken in the welfare of tbe Aboriginal tribes of that part of the Colony, we knew were not to be undergone without serious risk even of life itself. And we also were aware that it was not only peril from the fierce and savage natives — to whom many a pioneer tvs fallen victim — that had to be feared, but also the yet more certain danger from the malarial character of the climate under tha inevitable conditions to which Your Lordship was exposed in the wilderness while engaged in founding the Mission which is to bs carried on by the Trappist Fathers. " We rejoice that the dangers are now happily passed away and that they have res ilted in the establishment of the Mission Station at Beagle Bay, piously named the " Holy House of tbe Sacred Heart," which with God's blessing upon it and under the conduct of the zealous missionaries of La Trappe may one day rival in its career of usefulness the great native mission of New Norcia. " That Your Lordship may be long spared in health and grace to rnle over us and to carry out further great works for the honour and glory of God and welfare of humanity ip the heart-felt prayer and wish of all who with us rejoice in rocognising you as our brave and beloved Bishop. Clergy : A. Bourke, V.G., W. B. Kelly, J. Doyle, E. O'Reilly, L! Martelli, B. Delaney, T. Dooley, etc. Laity : P. A. Gugeri, Jno. Horgan, F. Moorhead, J. A. Campbell, R. Farrelly, H. Brady, J P. O'Callaghan, T. Qainlan, B. Smith, etc." In reply His Lordship said :— He thanked God for having granted him the favour of a safe return through the perils of his j mrney by land and sea, and, with the recollection of thesa fresh in his mind, standing as he now did upon the altar, he felt a< though he were on the threshold of heaven. He thanked Father Bourke and the clergy, and his dea-ly beloved the laity, for their kind address of welcome. Continuing his remarks, His Lords* ip said : I went from you us the leader of a zeal ms band of mtssionauei. and though mmy were ihe dangers to be encountered and the infficulues to be overcome, I and my companions felt instinctively thit wa were strengthened fiom above through your s ipplicati ns to toe Throne of Mercy. I know that, without the prayers offered by you on our behalf, our streogih and courage would have been insufficient to combat successfully all we had to encounter. Fur this epiruualaid I tender you thanks, yes, a thousand thanks. Had it n>t been for your prayers I feel certain I never could have obtained that grip upon the work bo necessary to ensure success. The Mission is now an established fact, and with the blessing of God and under the zealous care of the good missioners, much will be done to better the condition of the poor natives. These natives are a singularly fine race of men. They are noble and high-spirited, and though in their natural state wild and savage, yet in the hands of the kind-hearted fathers they are gentle as lambs. You do not know them, but I do, for day and night, and week after week, while seeking a place to establish the mission did I travel with them, and always found them patient under difficulties, and sincerely grateful for tbe par vices we came to do them. I ask you t j pray for the Trappist Fathers, to pray often as Ido to God to grant them health and strength to continue their charitable labours as nobly in the future as in ihe first days oE their mission. You do not, you cannot know, as 1 do, all ttut has to be endured, all that has to be suffered in commencing such a work as ihey have set iheir bands to. Th^y have begun their labours splendidly, but to carry them on to a successful cjmpletioa they want helping bands. They want a staff, a large scaff of helpers, auch as ia now in existence at New Norcia, mentioned by Father Bourke, to work the complete reclamation of ihe natives, and the cumber of thia staff I have fixed at twenty-five. More there may be, fewer therj caunot bs. You must baar in mind that these natives, t ough black in colour an! savage by nature, ac our brethren, with st v s to b« saved, acid composed of the aa ue flesh and blood, and shall we not do something to ameliorate thuir sad condition? Tuaaks be to 'he merciful God, I am able to luform you ttaeoe nnble, kind-neanei fathers have already done much to raise the aboii^ioais from their former state, and to give them an iusight into the grander purposes ol life, and to impiaut in their hearts h desire to merit the gl >rious hereafter. I mentioned before that we had mucb <o endure, much to suffer, and I must add, and Ido not blush to make the acknow1- dgempnt, there waa much to be feared. Snuati'd as we were in the wilderness at the mercy o£ strange savages, we found much to awaken within us sensations of fear. But God gave me a duty to perform, and, though I am not a hero, I knew I must do it or die in tbe attempt. However, God strengthened me, and 1 always did my best. Tbaoks be to Him, all those perils are now passed, and once more I am amongst you, and thank you from my heart for your kiud welcome. Once more let me tell you how truly glad lamto be with you again. In conclusion of the ceremony, the Bishop gave his episcopal blessing from the altar on all present, and all who wish him well,