THE GOLDEN JUBILEE OF THE BISHOP OF GOULBURN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 3, 20 May 1898, Page 27

THE GOLDEN JUBILEE OF THE BISHOP OF GOULBURN.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC DEMONSTRATION.

What is described by the Catholic newspapers of Australia as an unparalleled demonstration took place at Goulburn the other week when Bishop Lanigan's golden jubilee was celebrated by the conse-' cration of the Goulburn Cathedral. Over forty years ago and eleven years after his ordination, Father Lanigan bade good-bye to his native County of Tipperary, and set out for the distant shores of Australia, where he was destined to achieve such a great and noble work in the cause of the Christian Church. In 1867 he was consecrated Bishop of Goulburn, and on February 12, 1871. his Lordship blessed the first stone of what is now a magnificent structure, dedicated to SS. Peter and Paul. The erection of the buildin<* was successfully carried on under the personal care of the Bishop who took the keenest interest in the progress of the work In the words of his Eminence the Cardinal Archbishop of Sydney it might with truth be said that every stone in the noble edifice was placed in position under the direct supervision of Bishop Lanigan On May 10, 1887, the foundations of these extensive additions 'were solemnly blessed by Cardinal Moran, and on that occasion, in replying to an address of welcome, his Eminence said that " throughout the whole of this fair Australian continent considerable religious progress has marked the history of the Church during the past twenty years, but I believe the diocese of Goulburn has been second to none m erecting noble monuments of education and religion and the great things you have accomplished must serve as an encouragement to us to emulate your zeal and devotedness." The cathedral in its finished state was opened and blessed by his Eminence on June

9, 1890. The occasion was made a time of great rejoicing, and among the visiting prelates was the Archbishop of Melbourne, Dr. Carr. The sermon was preached by his Eminence, and he said " that the noble structure in solidity spoke well of the faith it represented." Although the structure was completed there still remained a debt upon it and according to the rules of the Church a building caunot be consecrated while a debt remains on it, but notwithstanding the straitened financial conditions in which the Australian colonies were plunged of latter years, thanks to the noble generosity of Bishop Lanigan who headed the subscription lists with the handsome sum of £1,250 and to the energy and zeal of the administrator, the Rev. Father Donovan, nearly £ 17,000 was raised and every particle of debt was wiped off. Fitly enough thib happy state of affairs was brought about shortly before the date of Bishop Lanigan's golden jubilee, and nothing could be more appiopriate than that the latter joyous occasion should be signalised by the consecration of the cathedral. Accordingly all the distinguished ecclesiastics of Australia foregathered at Goulburn and a series of brilliant functions ensued. Amongst those who were present were: — His Eminence Cardinal Moran, Sydney; Right Rev. Dr. Higgins, Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney ; Right Rev. Dr. Doyle, Bishop of Grafton ; Right Rev. Dr. Torreggiani, Bishop of Armidale ; Right Rev. Dr. Byrne, Bishop of Bathnrst ; Right Rev. Dr Dunne, Bishop of Wilcannia ; Right Rev. Dr. Dwyer, Coadjutor-Bishop of Maitland ; Right Rev. Dr. Gallagher, Coadjutor-Bishop of Goulburn ; Right Rev. Dr. Corbett, Bishop of Sale ; Very Rev. Dr. O'Haran, private secretary to the Cardinal ; Very Rev. Dean McKenna, administrator of the archdiocese of Melbourne, representing that diocese. The consecration ceremonies were marked by splendour and solemnity. The ceremony was performed by the Right Rev. Dr. Dwyer, Coadjutor-Bishop of Maitland who is the first native born Australian Bishop. Bishop Dwyer was born at Albany in the Goulburn district and was educated at Goulburn. At the High Mass, which was attended by a multitude of people, the Cardinal in the course of an eloquent and scholarly discourse said : " When Dr. Lanigan entered upon his episcopate he had five priests to 00-operate with him in building up the Church of God throughout the vast diocese, which comprised a great part of what at preBent forms the diocese of Wilcannia. Now, including the Passionist fathers, there are 42 priests in the ranks of his| clergy. There was then one convent of nuns, there are now 28 convents with about 200 Sisters. In 1867 there were a half-a-dozen schools, now there are some 50 efficient schools diffusing the blessings of Christian virtue throughout every part of the diocese. The spiritual flock, which in those days was reckoned at 16,000 now numbers 40,000 ; and thanks to the pastor's untiring exhortations, the greatest harmony prevails among all classes and denominations and the blessings of charity and peace abound throughout the diocese. Subsequently the visiting prelates and the leading residents of Goulburn, numbering in all some 250, were entertained by Bishop Lanigan. who, in reply to the toast of his health proposed by the Cardinal and enthusiastically honoured j by the company, said that the erection of the Cathedral had not interfered with the diocesan business. " One fact shows that," his Lordship went on to say. '• I have lately examined the accounts' as to money expended throughout the diocese during the last 31 years in purchasing church lands and in raising church buildings — I take no account of interest for borrowed money— and I find that about £200,000 has been expended, and at present the debt through the diocese on all our church property is about £11,400 (cheers). I asked Father Donovan, to whom we are most indebted for the present occasion (great applause), for he has collected within the past three or four years nearly £4000 (cheers), how much there was owing on the Cathedral, and the last report was that there was nothing at all owing (loud and long-continued cheers). The money expended on ecclesiastical buildings in Goulburn was £.10,000, and there is not £50 of debt on the whole (cheers). With these facts I may truly say I am proud of the priests and people of this diocese." Congratulatory addresses were presented to Bishop Lanigan from the clergy of the diocese and from the laity.