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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 15, 9 January 1891, Page 17

The Most Rev. Dr. Moran left Danedia on Friday for Qaetnstown. His Lordship will open a Dominican convent at Milton on Sunday next, returning on Monday to Dunedin.

The Rev. Father Golden left Dunedin on Friday, en route for Auckland. The rev. gentleman's departure from this city hat caused much regret, as, during bis stay here, he bad become extremely and most deservedly popular among tbe Catholic community.

The Rev. Michael Kelly, S.J., of Richmond, Victoria, arrived in Dunedin from Melbourne on Wednesday, en rtvte for the hot springs.

The Rev. Father Burke, who has been engaged daring tbe past week in conducting a retreit of tbe Dominican nuns, preached ia St. Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin, on Sunday evening. The Rev. preacher took for bis subject, mortal sin, and delivered a most eloquent sermon, listened to with wrapt attention by a crowded congregation .

A reception of postulants and profession of novices took place at the Domioican convent, Dunedin, on tbe afternoon of Christmas Day. Tbe young ladies received were tbe Misses Mclntyre, Arrowtown, (id religion Sitter Mary Bonaventure) ; Quilter, Waitabuna, (in religion Bister Mary Reginald), and O'Connor, Gore, a lay sister, (in rtligion Sister Mary John Baptist). Those professed were tbe Misses Ralph, Auckland (in religion Sister Mary Ignatius), and O'Neill, Ireland, a lay sister (in religion Sister Mary Malachi. The ceremonies, at which bis Lordship the Bishop officiated, were performed privately.

The first days of the year were not psrticnlarly favourable to the fete of the Caledonian Society of Otago at Kensington, ftew Year's Day was wet — an unrelentirjg down-pour — and on the succeeding days there was something lihe a gale of wind blowing. The sports, however, were carried out with spirit — and the great popularity to which they have attained was testified to by the large attendance, which, notwithstanding all the difficulties of the weather, w»i present.

The Ir'uh Catholic of November 15 gives some passages from an interview between a representative of tbe Univers and the Archbishop of Cashel, which took place aa bis Grace was passing through Paris on his return j mrney from Rome to Ireland. The following is particularly interesting :•— " Monsignor Croke has informed ns that he has been enchanted with bis journey. Leo XIII. granted him a long and affection >te andieoce. Monsignor Croke found the Holy Father in perfect health, and fully conversant with Irish affairs. Tbe Pope knows that tbe Bishops of Ireland will not fail to put the Irish Catholics on their guard against every agitation which might be contrary to morals. And Catholic Ireland know that t\ c Holy Father will not abandon his children in the midst of the crisis through which they pre now passing. On our speaking to the eminent prelate of the reports circulated by certain journals in London, Monsignor Croke h Dßwered .—". — " I say decidedly th it these are not correct. There is no difficulty for tbe Bishops o! Ireland in tbe situation ; there are nothing bat the best relations of confidence and affection between the c ergy and people of Ireland and Hiß Holiness Pope Leo XIII."

It seems to be as tbe result of some misunderstanding that tbe honour conferred on Mr. John Roberta baa fallen abort of knight' hood. There can, of coune, hare been no intention of offering a alight

to New Zealand, as must have been tbecase had an inadequate recognition of Mr. Robert's services as late President of the Jubilee Exhibtion been intentionally made. In every respect, besides, Mr. Roberts is worthy of the greater honour, and the only rational explana'ion of its being withheld is, as we have said, that an error has occurred; It is to be hoped iLat those upon whom the duty devolves will lose no time iv having the error rectified.

In our present issue we publish a full report, which we owe to our esteemed contemporary, the B <ston Pilot, of the lecture recently delivered by the Most Rev. Dr. Keane at Harvard University For a combination of deep thought, clear argument, profound learn* ing, and religious fervour, the lecture strikes us as almost unrivalled. We have never published in our columns anything of the kind more calculated to convince, instruct, and edify. It proves Dr. Keane's right to rank with preachers of the highest eminence, and quite confirms the great reputation that his lordship has gained throughout the world.

The Catholics of Naples and of the surrounding country, who Burely must best understand the question, have been most energetic in denouncing the outrage recently perpetrated on the convents of the SepolteVive and the Trenta-tre. The guilty prefect has found himself an object of Buch general scorn and indignation that he is said to repent heartily of the part played by him. Catholics of all ranks and classes are united in the matter.

Commenting on the Barnardo case the London Daily Telegraph ■ays :— ln delivering judgment ia the case of the Queen v. Bamarao, the Lord Chief Justice made some very strong remarks on the condact of the amiable philanthropist who desired to save John James Jones, alias Roddy, an infant, fiom the Roman Catholic tendencies of his mo her. No doubt the bjy was wdl cared for and hsppy in his alien home, but his self-elected guardian does not, among his other privileges, possess the right to retain a child against its mother's wishes, nor yet, in the pursuanca of his generous crusade, to asperse that mother 's character.

The reptile Press (says Truth) is endeavouring to show that the Irish cannot bo in earnest about Home Rule, because they have not broken the head of Mr. Balfour daring his trip to the West of IreMid. Had they done bo, we should have been told that they had proved that they were not fit for self-Goverument. Mr. Balfour went to inquire into the distress. He is naturally not a persona grata to the Irish ; but they received him cisdlly— a fact which goes to show that they are not so disorderly and lawless as the reptile organs are Always assuring us.

The gloriea of civilisation are still the object of testimony. — Hardly has the world recovered from the nine days' wonder, occasioned by the detestable revelations made in connection with Mr, Stanley's African expedition, when a barbarous daughter of Indians, women and children, as well as men, is reported from America — and the latest news is that the extermination of the tribe has been determined on. The territory is included in the diocese of Archbishop Ireland, and we may well conjecture how great acauseof anguish that excellent prelate rinds in the matter. In all probability many of the unfortunate people belong to his Grace's fljck. Most probably the reproach of the outbreak leading to the miserable occurrences in question will be attributed to the ludians. But those who receive this as a proven fact must know little of how certain Agencies manage their business and promote their interests. We sometimes find the epithet Anglo-Saxon as applied to the American population indignantly repudUed. But in their dealings with the unhappy natives, the authorities of the country, at least, have only too truly deserved it.

A shobt paragraph, in small iype (says the Liverpool Catholic Times), is at present going the rounds of the English newspapers which gave such prominence to the false charges brought agaiost the nuns at Naples. In this obscure paragraph is to be found the key to the whole affair. It is now stated that the Gjvernment, by wbich we suppose is meant the Municipal Government of Naples, have determined to seize the buildings of the Convent of the tiepolte Vive and iurn them into a school. Ine mcideDt, in tact, presents us with a very fair and accurate modern copy of the policy of Jezebel ia the matter of Naboth's vineyard. Jezebel did not quite like to take the vineytud for her lord without more ado ; so she got the elders of the city to auborn false witnesses against Naboth, and under cover of tneir lies, the vineyard was quietly annexed. So with the Municipality of Naples and the Conventß ; and we have no doubt that the next time a convenient 6ite or a commodious building is wanted in Naples the process will be repeated. It is a pity that thisestimible Government cannot steal the property of the Brides of Christ without first robbing them of their good name ; but as long as the present Government endures in Italy we suppose there is no help for it.

Is Lord Salisbury a German constable or a British Minister? (asks irutK). He was good enough to send our fleet to aid the Germane to destroy our trading establishments in East Africa on the plea that this was to put down the slave trade abroad. He has now bombarded Witu at the bidding of his German masters. One KUrjsti 1, a filibustering German scamp, went there, and abused the ruler and his people. A fight ensued, and the ruffian was killed. For this Witu and several viilagps have been destroyed by our fhet, aided by the "soldiers" of the East African Chartered Company. It would not surprise me if, in return for these friendly barbarities, a few more of our Royalties, or even his Lordship himself, were made Honorary Colonels of German regiment?. Since Lord Salisbury actively interfered to promote the Triple Alliance agasnst France, we have truckled to Germany and snubbed France.

Those friends who have kindly undertaken to dispose of tickets for the Palmerston art -union are requested to send in blocks and remittances as soon as convenient to the Rev. Father Donnelly. It has unfortunately been found necessary to post-pone the drawing' and the date to be fixed for it depends on the returns to be sent in. The object for which the art-union has been set on foot is a very urgent oue, and efforts made to promote its interests are truly meritorious.

Thk situation relating to Behring Sea decidedly grows more interesting. Something like a small fleet is being prepared at San Francisco, is we learo, for the purpose of enforcing American rights in the waters referred to. The B glish Government, meantime, is also preparing ships for the occasiou, and, perhaps, as further indicating the alliance that recent events in Africa seem to reveal, the German Government are said to be sending a fleet there. Even Russia is reported of as equipping vessels, but it would not seem extravagant to conjee ure that this may be for the purpose of aiding the Americans, should the need arise, rather than for that of taking part against them. Russia claimed the right over the sea which America claims as purchased from her, and it is not likely she will now repudiate her former action. The situation, then, aa we have said, is interesting. But yet we do not expect that anythmg more than some hot diplomacy will come of it. Still, while the whole world is in a constant state of preparation for hostilities, it would be rash to be over -positive in predicting an inviolable peace.

Persons who had tickets for the Hiberuian Society's Pic-nic at Sawyer's Bay on Bos ing Day nte expected to assemble at the Christian Brothers.' School, Dunedin, on next Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock, when the suite of furniture will be given away. On behalf of the Society we are requested to return thanks to the following business firms, who generously presented prizes for the plc-iiic :— Messrs. Brown, Kwing and Co. ; Nelson. Moate and Co. ; J. Fleming, Duthie Br s., F. Meenan, H. Driver and Sons, K>arne, Bon and Co. ; P. Keligher, W. Stewart, W. Lane and Co., Phoenix Confectionary Co., Mrs, Loft, Low and Co., James Duthie and Co., Ahlfeld Bros., and E. Carioll.