Diocese of Auckland. THE CONVERSAZIONE IN HONOUR OF DR. LENIHAN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 33, 11 December 1896, Page 28

Diocese of Auckland. THE CONVERSAZIONE IN HONOUR OF DR. LENIHAN.

(From our own Correspondent.) Or the many festivities inaugurated and carried out to honour our dear Bishop, none w r ere more successful than the brilliant conversazione held in the Choral Hall. Symond street, on Monday evening. November Kith. It far exceeded the most sanguine expectations of those concerned in its promotion. Indeed, there were not wanting those who prognosticated failure, on the ground that the precedingcalls upon the people's purses would necessarily militate against it. But one look at the gay. sparkling spacious interior of the hall transformed for the nonce into a veritable home of the fairies, so exquisite were the surroundings of the well-dressed assemblage flitting to and fro amongst the promiscuously-placed couches, lounges, easy chairs, etc., and treading upon a well-carpeted floor ; and at the stair-like seats ranging up from the back of the platform nigh to the ceiling, and occupied by :{<K) children, in snow-white dresses, from the convent schools, eagerly waiting the wield of the baton to make the four walls ring with their young melodious voices in choruses of welcome to their new beloved Bishop and visiting prelates and clergy ; all this was sufficient to change hypochondria into hilarity. Never were decorations so well and tastefully executed, and to Mr. Scholium in particular the greatest meed of praise is due. and he w r as ably assisted by Messrs. Thomas Grace. W. Scholium. Thomas Carty. and several ladies, including Misses Rita Tole. Graham, and Hickson. Great credit is also due to the painstaking honourable secretary. Mr. F. J. O'Meara. The guest of the evening, the Bishop of Auckland, with Dr. Grimes on his right, and Dr. Verdon on his left (Dr. Gallagher, unfortunately, had to leave for Sydney a few hours before), surrounded by the visiting priests and diocesan clergy, were arranged in a semi-circle in front of the platform, all of whom conversed freely with one another, and with the laity and entered heartily into the proceedings. Indeed, it would be hard to refrain from doing so. so bent was everyone to enter into the fun. The Hon. J. A. Tole. L.L.D.. ex-Minister of Justice, at present Crown Prosecutor, theduly-appointedchairman.pre-sided. and opened the proceedings by calling" upon the orchestra, under the able direction of Mr. P. F. Hiscocks. which performed the grand march. " Souvenir Patriotique." after which Mr. Hiscocks signalled to the children of the convent schools, who ro«e immediately, and under his baton sang unitedly the chorus •■ Welcome." Monsignor McDonald next read to '.he Bishop the address from the clergy (previously published with reply). Chorus. '• From our home, gracious Lord "' (Lombardi). by the convent school children. Next came a speech from the chairman, the Hon. Mr. Tole. who spoke as follows ■ — "My Lords. Rev. Fathers, ladies and gentlemen. At the request of the Catnolic laity. I am called on to preside in an intermittent sort of way at this conversazione. Let me first e\pre--to the laity my acknowledgments for this privilege anil my deep sense of the unprecedented honour in so presiding this evening. The occasion is unique in the history of this diocese, and the audience is distinguished by the presence of a large gathering of the clergy and especially of the pi elate-, who assisted in the sacred function of yesterday which re-tored to us our episcopal headship. Dr. Grimes, the illustrious Bishop of Christchurch. is personally and affectionately known to n-. all He was amongst the first to condole with and con-oli us in the loss of our late beloved Bishop. Dr. Luck. He was the fir-t to bring Us the glad tidings ot the final choice ot a successor, and we are u Lid to see him with us on this the occasion of our rejoicings Dr. Gall.igbc 1 . the Coadjutor-Bishop of Goulburn. who I regret to announce is not present this evening, having to leave for Australia by to-day's steamer, though known personally to sOnics O nie of us. is known to n- all by the fame ot his eloquence and his learning. He came cheerfully at duty s call to assist in the great and imposing eeremon.v of jimciday, and if thanks were permissible under such circumstances he deserves our most hearty thanks and grateful remembrance. Though he is absent to-night we know he unites with us in our congiat illations. Dr. Verdon. the distinguished and able Bishop of Dunedin is now one ot ourselves. He is a New Zoalander — so tar as association with the Scotchmen ot Dunedin will permit him to retain hinational character —but let me assure him that we in Auckland ieel a reflected pride that this Colony has increased hei hierarchy by the possession of so scholarly and cultured a prelate. To them all. and to the clergy generally. I Ixg in the name ot the laity to tender our most hearty welcome ami ti ust their stay amongst us will be mo-t enjoyable. It is now. not lor me to anticipate the warm greetings { and congratulations contained in the various addresses to be presented to-night to our Bishop. Indeed I teel that the two most discomforted persons here this evening are Dr. Lenihan and mj-elf. I, because I cannot find words in your name to express our unbounded joy on this occasion, and his Lordship, because he will doubtless tell you he cannot sufficiently express his gratitude. Hut I must say though I have been chairman on many public occasions. on none have I experienced such real affectionate pleasure as on the present, because Dr. Lenihan is intimately known to us all for many years and also because bishops, priests and people are united, as only Catholics can. to do honour to our Bishop who has been elevated to the highest dignity. All the parishes have evhibited a rivalry of regard and joy. and some have special claims of attachment to him— St. Patrick s. the scene of his curacy under the able tutelage of our ever-honoured " Father Walter ' (now Monsignor McDonald) : the Sacred Heart. Poiisonby. hi^ first parish and responsible ehaige : and St. John's, Parnell. his last parish. He was, I am sure, content to be happy with either ot these two charmer-. Ponsonby or Parnell. especially Poiisonby. but lor tie interposition of the graces and attractions of St. Patrick's. There is. therefore, someting at least romantic in his Lordship being now on the throne ot the scene of his. first attachment. But of the various, elements present to-night to do him honour, there is nothing

which, I feel sure, will gladden his heart more than the presence an the voices of the children he sees before him, especially the orphan over whom he has for years exerted such a watchful, anxious and sue" cessf ul care. We as Catholics have already in public meeting humbly tendered our thanks to our Holy Father the Pope for his confirmation of the choice of Dr. Lenihan. But we in a special manner appreciate the significance of the fact that in confirming this choice Rome has again recognised the great principle of Home Rule in the election or selection of our Bishop by the clergy of the diocese, the first instance in the colonies being. I believe, that of Dr. Gallagher, who I again regret is not with us to-night. We arc not given to boasting in Auckland, but on this occasion we maybe permitted to record as facts that in Dr. Lenihan we have the youngest bishop in this, if not in all the colonies, and that he has the spiritual care of certainly the largest Catholic population in the Colony. He is conscious, no doubt, of the responsibility of this great charge. We know he will be ever solicitous for the welfare of his diocese. He will not be forgetful of the industrious past, of the achievements of his predecessors, who have left lasting monuments and indelible footprints on the periods of their episcopal office. In these achievements the cooperation of the faithful clergy and of the laity was needed. Much still remains to be done, and as time goes on much will be suggested to his Lordship to be accomplished ; but in every work to which he may devote his energy and ability, I can confidently here to-night pledge him the loyal cooperation and support of the laity. Finally I would say. though a prelate of the Church, Dr. Lenihan will not be unmindful that he is a citizen of the Colony. He will take a citizen's part not only in countenancing but in promoting, within the scope of his high position, every movement for the betterment of the people of this country. And when the time comes for him to lay aside that pastoral staff, which yesterday was placed in his hand* by the consecrating prelate, I feel sure that Dr. Lenihan, the fifth Bishop of Auckland, no less than his four illustrious predecessor-*, will have deserved that reward which i.s the greatest incentive to all exertions — " To see the laurel wreath on high suspended That is to crown his name when life is ended.' " The lion, chairman then read the address to the Bishop from the laity, which, together with his Lordship's reply, has been already published. The Hon. Mr. Tole prefaced the presentation of the address by saying :•' My Lord Bishop of Auckland. — I am honoured by the laity with the pleasing duty of reading and presenting their address to your Lordship. I am conscious, as no doubt you are yourself, of the organised ordeal of compliments and congratulations to which your Lordship has this evening to submit, and therefore I will not further prolong my introduction, except to assure your Lordship that this address, though necessarily formal, is not the vehicle of mere fulsome compliments and professions, but that it inadequately expresses the sincere and genuine sentiments of your own flock throughout the diocese and reflectedly -voices the respect and esteem of public opinion generally in this city." " Moonlight in the forest. ' orchestra. Address from the H.A.C.B. Society, read by the president. Bro. M. J Sheahan (pre\ iously published, with reply). Very appropriately follow ing the Hibernian address and hi-. Lordship's icply the children sang the chorus, •• Let Erin remember." Address from the Marist Biothers' students, read by Master William Brenuan. of Wanganui. Two chorus.es by the children, the first the famous •• Anvil chorus,'" from " II Trovatore " and " God defend New Zealand " completed this part of the programme. The l!ishop and clergy then moved about among the ptoplc. iunoniist whom were the Hon. Thomas Thompson, M.H.R., Minister of Justice : Mr. John 1). Connolly. U.S. Consul ; Inspector ITickson. Mr. J. M. Shera. cx-M.H.R.. Mr. J. P. McAlister and numerous other-. The various addresses presented to the Ilight Rev. Dr. Lenihan were very tastefully adorned. That of the laity's was in album form, morocco leather covering, with gilt inscription, bound in episcopalcoloured binding. On the top. inside, his Lordship* coat-of-anns, at the foot a view of Auckland harbour, the whole bordered very tastefully by Hovvers ot variegated tints beautifully blended, executed by Mr. Gulliver. The address trom the Marist students was generally voted to have been the be-t of the many presented. It was encircled by n choice black and gilt frame. The lettering was in coloured printing upon white satin. At the head the monogram ot the Marist Order, the border of exquisitely-arranged flowers, m which the shamrock is perceptible in tine national green, forget-me-nots, and vaiious other flowers artistically arranged, in the midst of which is nicely placed the Bishop's striking" coat-of-arms. It forms a really good picture, and an adornment to any wall. The designer and artist was the local superior of the Marist Brothers, Brother Henry. The Hibernian address \v as worked on satin, the Society s coat-of-arms at the top. witli a tasteful border. The address had at each cud a roller, avoiding" the conventional frame. After a v\hile an adjournment was made to the supper room, where numerous toasts were proposed, the principal being ''A welcome to the visiting prelates ' proposed by the American Consul. Mr. J. 1). Connolly, who said — •■ My Lords. Rev. Fathers. Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen. — It is my privilege and pleasure on this occasion, to cordially welcome our distinguished visiting prelates, and to heartily thank them in the name of the Catholics of this diocese, and. indeed. I might add the thanks of the whole community for the service they have rendered In the presence of so much piety, learning, and becoming clerical dignity, an ordinary layman like myself is disposed to. in a sense, feel his own unvvorthiness and comparative in-ignifieance For it i.s true that we place our respected priests and bishops on a far higher plane of cultivated intellect and of moral Christian worth than any of us would dare to presume to occupy. We do this voluntarily, nor do we envy them their proud position — we envy their virtues and perfections alone. But. notwithstanding their exalted stations, experience has taught us that their hearts are full of human sympathy — overflowing with tenderest emotions tor the sorrows and afflictions of men. Theirs is not the kind ot sympathy that exhausts, itself in helpless sighs,

groans and tears. No. it is of the practical kind which should ever be the peculiar possession and characteristic of every true Christian. The average Catholic seeks the ad\ ice and council of his priest or bishop in nearly all the chief difficulties, which \isit his pathway through life. In a word, they are his councillor and friend — they help him to form and carry out new principles, they frequently extricate him from great difficulties through their \\ ise counsels and j experience. They do more they help him to rise, to climb to higher \ and purer moral altitudes than he could ever hope to attain to with- | out their assistance. The priest has the ooufi.den.eo and love ot his people, and they have his. hence the mutual esteem and admiration i which so happily subsists between priests and people — may those happy relations long" continue. Yesterday we. in a sense. lost a nood priest, but while doing" so we gained a good bishop. In the elevation of his Lordship Dr. Lenihan to the bishopric ot Auckland a prie-t has been honoured who has e\er honoured himself. lie is an' honour to his sacred calling", to his country and to his community. ' He is regarded, and rightly so too. as being a bnjad-nnuded. liberal, yet consistent churchman, one who has ivcr jealously, guarded the honour and dignity of his holy office. During his , priestly ministrations in this city he lias endeared himself to his | people, and, at the same time he has, by his urbanity ol manner, liberal mind and true Christian character, earned the confidence' and esteem of all classes of citi/.ens in the community. It must be ' a source of deep gratification to the officiating bishops to observe such a generous out-pouring of the people's lo\e. such a confirmation of that ol which they were always conscious, namely that in every sense ot the word a truly worthy son ol the Church had been honoured and exalted. During the progress ot that most solemn and interesting ceremonial on Sunday last it occurred to me that a Church possessing such earnest Christian zeal, isuch sturdy vigorous ' manhood, both physical and mental, as our esteemed officiating bishops manifested on that occasion, that such a Church v\as indeed singularly blest. With such soldiea-s on the watch towels of our] Faith in these colonies, we need have no apprehension ot disintegni- ' tion or decay. If we look down the ages of the past we find the Catholic Church to-day the grandest monument in all human ' history, changeless and unchangeable. She lias successfully resisted the fierce assaults of men. and not even the images of time itself have been able to efface or mar a single line of her symmetrical proportions. She stands out pre-eminently the most sublime spectacle in the history ot the Christian world. Heedless of the difficulties and conflicts which have ever surrounded her and beset her pathway, she serenely and majestically pursues the even tenor of her way, administering spiritual nourishment to her people, carrying light and dispelling darkness in every land on which the sun shines to-day, the envy ol her distracted children without but the joy and admiration of her ever faithful sous and daughters w ithin. There is no organisation in Christendom so powerful, none so complete, none so fraternal. none so harmonius and none so sensitive to the touch of duty and the cause of Christ as the Catholic Church is now and ever has been from the foundation of Christianity. Did she not have more than human guidance the ambitions and aspirations, of men would have dismembered her and torn her into fragments. She would then be a

helpless ruin, wrecked on the altar of man's ambition, a living sacrifice to human vanity, and would present a wretched spectacle of helpless and hopeless division such as we see in the sad story of separation. Once again it is our privilege to pledge ourselves anew, and to acknowledge our allegiance to the grand old Church that has so successfully weathered the storms and conflicts of eighteen hundred year*. And we are pleaded to have this opportunity to welcome her most distinguished sons in these seas and to thank them for their labours and to express the hope that their lives may be prolonged to preside over the spiritual destinies of their beloved people. Riuht Rev. Dr. Grimes, on behall ol the prelates, replied, thanking the eloquent United States Consul for his kind wordb of welcome, and said he felt it an honour and a very great privilege to ha\e been amongst sodevotedaffock as that of Dr. Lenihan's. and they would look back in alter years with pleasure to the memorable scenes of the past few days. He thanked their good Bishop for his "Teat kindness to them, and hoped that he (Dr. Lenihan) would long be spared to labour for so good, kind and generous a flock. The prelates (excepting Dr. Verdon. who decided upon going to Rotorua) and party who were bound North on tour now took leave of the people and were soon on their way to the Clansman. Thus ended another memorable scene forming portion of a still greater memorable event. Now that all is over and marching 1 onward to posterity, there to be spoken ot with pleasurable pride it must be comforting and consoling to the Right Reverend Dr. Lenihan, the central figure in whose honour everyone worked with might and main, and made it the success it most undoubtedly was. From beginning to end it \\a- directly a tribute to our holy religion, the custody of which is now let us hope, for many a long" year, in the 1 worthy consecrated hands of the fifth Bishop of Auckland, the Right Rev. G. M. Lenihan. D.D.

The Rev. Mark Guy Poarso. recording" his trip from England to South Africa, writes — My character is gone, gone at a breath — that which was slowly and painfully builded swept away in an instant ' A steamer \\;h passing some three miles off — a rare thing", we have not seen half-a-do/en — all were gathered on that side of the ship, eagerly watching, and many of them envying" the homeward bound. Beside me was a Dutchman and his wife, to whom I turned and offered my binocular. '• Will you have a g"lass / " I said innocently. Alas, the words had for them a meaning- that I did not suspect. The g-entloman smiled and laid his hand on his waistcoat. "Dank you. sir. hut I think it fix a lei-tic too tarlij" Explanation was impossible, and I could but creep away undone I