BISHOP MORAN'S SUCCESSOR.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 42, 14 February 1896, Page 17

BISHOP MORAN'S SUCCESSOR.

t\ E desire to respectfully felicitate the New Zeas land Hierarchy on the accession to its ranks 9 of a distinguished ecclesiastic, and to heartily congratulate the diocese of Dunedin on obtain1 ing as successor to the late revered Bishop a man after Dr Moran's own heart. The bishop-elect was for many years a warm personal fiiend of the late saintly Bishop, who deservedly held Monsignor Verdon in high esteem both on account of his personal worth and eminent services in the Church. For over a quarter of a century Dr Verdon has occupied prominent positions in connection with the education of the secular clergy in Ireland, Romp, and Australia. The very latest appointment which he received, at the close of the past year, showed in a marked manner the appreciation of his ability and tact by the Australian prelates. It was decided to have an accredited representative of the Australian Church in residence at Rome. Yielding to the pressing request to take up this very important duty, Dr Verdon made arrangements to leave Sydney on February 10 by the Oratava. He has probably received the news of his appointment to Dunedin either in Melbourne or Adelaide. It will be interesting to our readers to learn that some months ago he had contemplated a visit to New Zealand during the college summer vacation. The appointment made by the bishops at the close of the Plenary Council came as a surprise, and he expressed regret that in all probability he should never have the opportunity of seeing and enjoying the scenery of our Wonderland. Roma locuta est. The decision of Rome brings him to our Colony. New Zealand will welcome a distinguished man and quickly learn to respect an ecclesiastic who is eminently worthy of respect. The following particulars briefly summarise the life of Bishop Mohan's successor :—: — The Very Rev Monsignor Michael Verdon, D.D., was born in County Kildare, Ireland, and is a little over 50 years of age. He made his preliminary studies at the College of the Vincentian Fathers, Castleknock, Dublin, where also Dr Moran spent several years, and went through the courses of philosophy and theology at the Propaganda, Rome. After ordination he returned to Ireland, became professor, and later on rector of Holy Cross College, Clonliffe, Dublin. At the request of the Irish bishops Dr Verdon went in 1880 to Rome to assist the late Archbishop Kirby in the direction of the Irish College of which he formerly had been a student. His Holiness Pope Leo XIII., in recognition of his ability and merit, conferred upon him the dignity of domestic prelate and the title of Monsignor In 1889, at the invitation of Cardinal Moran, he came to Australia as first Rector of the new ecclesiastical college, which, at a cost of £65,000, was erected by his Eminence at Manly, Sydney. Conspicuous success has everywhere marked the administration of the Bishop-elect of Dunedin, and, we doubt not, great success will characterise his future work in New Zealand. Apart from the personal elements of tact, firmness, and the sense of justice, which go to make a strong and prudent ruler, Dr Verdon will take possession of a cathedral free from debt, and a diocese well organised and stocked with churches, schools, and religious houses. The new Bishop will meet a devoted body of priests, of whom Dr Moran was deservedly proud, and who will ably, under a new leader, continue the glorious work done in Otago for holy religion and Catholic education.