THE PROVINCIAL SYNOD.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 5, 2 February 1899, Page 3

THE PROVINCIAL SYNOD.

(From our Wllijx.ton correspondent.) January 28. Tin- \ cry Rev, Dean Burke, Invercargill. preached the evening 1 sermon on the opening day oi" the Council. St. Jobcph's Church waa crow ded cm the occasion with a most attentive congregation. The preacher took ior hi-, text Eph. iv , l-<>. and said that as it was usual m sermon? addressed to the people during the sitting of councils to treat of some ot the notes or properties of the Church, he would take up her attitude of unity that evening. Having referred to the historical origin ut tno numbers ot sects which now distract Christendom, he pointed out how unlike this condition of division and contradiction a.nong Christians was that unity in organisation and in belief portrayed in Scriptural and patristic wachhig, as essential to the Church iounded by Je.^us Christ. Having oonfirined his statement by passages from Scripture, extracts from the great early writers, and by the practice of the early Church in dealing "with schismatics and heretics, he pointed out how admirably the Church Catholic and Roman, the largest and most wide-spread religious society in the world, displays, m full perfection, that unity in government and identity in belief, proved from reason, Scripture, and tradition to be essential to the Church as founded by Jesus Christ. He then called special attention to the fact, unique in history, that after long centuries the Catholic Church preserves her unity intact, her ancient integrity unimpiired, though exposed not only to violence and intrigue, but to the dissolving action of human criticism — a power which destroys all merely human organisations. In conclusion he exhorted all to second the effo-ts ot Pope, Bishops, and learned men in restoring that unity of the body and samenesbin creed, so dear to the Heart of the Divine Founder of the Church, and so necessary for the success of her mission among mankind. The preacher said (hat all can help by their prayers and good example. Prayer and personal example are the great levers which move the world of men. Popular opinion, the knowledge which neighbours have ot one another*,' lives and connections— local popular opinion has been the great teacher of moral and religious truth— the cause of the greatest movements in history. AVitnehs the change brought about by the virtues, fortitude, and enthusiasm of the early Christians. Now, even the humblest can influence local popular opinion by approving themselves to their neighbour-, by their truthfulness and honesty in their dealings, by charity towards those in need, by kindliness in word, by cherishing peace m their honns, by piety and self-denial in their private lives, by respect tor the laws of the land, by living- ' without offence to Jew and Gentile and to the Church of God.'

THE HABBOUR EXCURSION. The picnic organised in honour of the members of the Catholic Bynod was a pronounced Bucoess. The weather was exceptionally fine, and the attendance of visitors very representative. Shortly after 11 o clock the Duchess, having about 300 on board, left the Ferry wharf, and, after a run up Evans' Bay, as far as the Patent Slip, went across to Shelly Bay, where a number of the excursionists were taken on shore by the Government steam-launch, for the purpose of inspecting the fortications. This privilege was V 3!V 3 !! 7 5f anted b Z the Defence Minister, and Captain Falconer Chief of the Torpedo Corps, took the visitors in hand and fully explained to them the many contrivances provided for the annihilation of a hostile cruiser, should any be so reckless at any time as to attempt an entrance to the harbour. A sub-marine mine was exploded in honour of the visitors, who were thus able to guage the powerful and deadly nature of our defences. From Shelly Bay the excuriionists went across to that pleasant summer resort, Day's Bay where a capital luncheon was provided for the invited guests, and tea and other refreshments for the other excursionists. •j , Mr - Martin Kennedy, chairman of the picnic committee, preBided, the vice-chair being occupied by Mr. Raymond P. Collins. Among those present were his Grace Archbishop Redwood, Right Rev. Dr. Verdon, Right Rev. Dr. Grimes, Right Rev. Dr. Leaihan, Very Rev. Dean O Reilly and Rev. Fathers Gillan and Lightheart! (Auckland), Very Rev. Deans O'Donnell and Martin and Very Rev Father Lf Menant des Chesnais, V.G. (Christchurch), Very Rev! Dean Burke and Rev. Father Murphy (Dunedin), Very Rev. Father ? 6 ™° y^ G " Very . Rev * Dra> Wat1 **9 and Pestre, Very Rev. Fathers J. McKenna, Lewis, Lane, and Rev. Father O'Shea (Wellington) • Messrs. C. Wilson and J. Duthie, M.H R 's, Messrs. Robert O'Connor J. J. Devine, O. McArdle, M. F. Bourke, P. McArdle, Dwan, Duignan, and Morrison. Apologies for non-attendance were reoeived from Count de Courte (French Consul), Hon. C. J. Johnstcn, M.L.C., and others. After justice had been done to the capital luncheon, the chairman proposed the toast of 'His Holiness the Pope and her Majesty the Queen, which was duly honoured. ... Mx - Kennedy next proposed ' Our Guests,' and in doing so said this was for the Catholics of New Zealand an auspicious occasion for though there was nothing new in the holding of a Synod, as the custom prevailed m other countries, still this was the first time that such a body had been set up in this Colony. Then this »athering was to mark the inauguration of a new charter for the Catholics of New Zealand. He considered this was an indication that, in political as well as ecclesiastical affairs, New Zealand should be nationally independent of any other colony. There were many things to recommend federation, and in some cases it mi»-ht be advantageous, but as far as the relations between Australia and New Zealand were concerned, the interests of this Colony were so distinct from those of the others, that if we were to federate there would always be a possibility of our being outvoted. The setting up of a Oathoho Synod was likely to prove the beginning of a new era of vigour and activity on the part of their Church. He wished not to make light of their work in the past, but they were a church militant, and consequently there was no standing still As a result of a larger share of self-government in the Church there would be greater activity m their work, so that in a few years the hi"-h anticipations of good results would be realised (applause). His Grace Archbishop Redwood, in responding to the toaet said undoubtedly the sitting of the first Synod in Mew Zealand was a great occasion, and the Catholics of Wellington had shown their loyalty by inviting the members to thaf interesting day's entertainment. On behalf of himself and the representatives of the other dioceses, he thanked the committee for their action. As this was a festal occasion, he would not inflict a serious speech on them. His Grace then proceeded to contrast the position of the Church in New Zealand to-day with what it was in 1842, when he arrived here at the age of three years. He could therefore claim to be an ' old identity. He had seen the timber cut down to build the first house in Nelson. His Grace gave several humorous reminiscences of his early days, and concluded by pointing out what a marvellous contrast was presented by the state of affairs to-day, when the Church could show such a number of bishops and priests, and when all around there were such signs of prosperity (applause) Mr Duthie, M.H.R , in replying, also expressed his warm sympathy with the Catholic Church in its labours to improve humanity. He was convinced the new powers ot self-government conferred upon the Synod would increase the usefulness of the Church In the person of his Grace they had an example of what might be attained by any young New Zealander who devoted himself to the work of the Church. Mr. Wilson, M.H.U., also responded and complimented the Church on its zeal in the cause of religion and education After a few more toasts had been duly honoured this part of the proceedings was brought to a close, and after an hour or two spent in wandering in the bush, or along the beach, a start was made tor home, the steamer reaching the ferry wharf about halfpast five. ... The da y waß Particularly fine, the harbour, strange to say, was like a mill pond. Ihe arrangements for the picnic were carefully thought out, so that on the whole the affair was a splendid buccess Ihe committee who had the management of the affair were Mr Martin Kennedy (chairman), Messrs. J. J. Devine, It. P. Collins" Owen McArdle, Peter McArdle, Whitaker, T. Dwan jun A A ?°nT'D J '^!! acka7 ' M< Se * rief > J- Gallagher, M. O^'Connori J. O Dea, U. O Connor, An excellent band, under the direction of Mr. Ummo, played selections during the day, and added much to the pleasure of the excursion. THE CLOSING CEREMONIES. (By telegraph, from our own correspondent).! c* t v> nu v -r. , , Wellington, January 30. St. Joseph s Church, Buckle street, was crowded on Sunday morning, when the first Provincial Council of the Roman Catholic

Church of New Zealand was brought to a close with Pontifical Hiirh sung: by the Right Rev. Bishop Grimes, of ChristohuVch Very Rev. Di^Pestre was deacon at the Archbishop's throne, and Xr7r i??r rtlQ v. sub " dea con. The deacon at the Mai ™ Re ;, father Mvr P fa y (Dunedin); the Wry Rev. Dean O'Rp,T r rfc ( 8hb >> a " On) W * B Bub - deauon J while Very Rev. Dean SSh f ( hmeß)wrßh meB)wrB . aßßlßtant P rießt - Rev - Fath <*8 GiUan and M. 0 Rowe and J. Griffin; basses-Messrs. F. Haughey and G byS e Hoton- Z )? reßided ° r^ an - The o^eftra^Lled Kf;? &^ S? 6 eß P°, nßlble dutieß of inductor were efficientiy fulfilled by Mr. H. McCardell. For an Offertory piece Mr Rowe sang Bellini's ' Veni Creator ' in highly artistic style. ram tv ?™5 Ar CQbishop Redwood preached. In considering, he said, that noble array of prelates and distinguished priests around SEJIKP / , naturall y called to "* ind this" fact, thSt the Resent u?ftl cr F m6n Wa f a real of holy Catholic Church. ?™I had f t s? t ? tbe , 6of the marks of the Church. They had men f !w ?i !?^ la " d8 ~ t I he ver y endß of the earth-from Franc? SS Sl' T G - eat ! Britain ' and f rom A «»t.ralasia, all keeping Hi 111 vT a asda s d na u° nal cbar acteristics, yet all united as one in nf £,« ph : t nd S°u they were a eof the Unit y and Catholicity of the Church They were also a type of Apostolicity, for thty Sharif f £"%■** Virtue of one who derived his authority from the Prince of the Apostles, from the Vicar ot Christ, the successor of St. Peter. These prelates and priests were professing a faith that was handed down from the Apostles from pontiff to pontiff, unto the present day, and formed, as it were, one of the links of the great chain coming from the Apostles X? U h TvT v e l u ere not leßs the *yP e of * he sanctity Sf t£ Church. They had there men who had shown at various times of ff F v lesI es heroic virtue > heroic devotion to the cause of God • who had come across the sea to preach the Gospel to the heathen '■ who had exposed their lives to every hardship-to martyrdom if necessary-for the salvation of souls. Working for one gre£ end, namely-to raise man to a higher and purer state. During the bynod they had seen their charity, their perfect union, their devotedness, their large-mindedness, so that this Synod had been an T^ltXtlouTc^^ de ™ tio »^<* »«* -er It would not become him, on the present occasion, to enter into details about what had been done in the Council just concluded, for these deliberations were not made public until they had received the sanction and approbation of the Holy See. However, he might say m general outlines, that, first of all, great attention had been <nven to the preservation and spread of the Catholic Faith, which lies at the foundation of true morality, and consequently of the true progress of society. Attention had also been given to the question of the Sacraments and their due administration. Then as the Church was appointed by God to teach men the truths of Salvation, and to administer those Sacraments, and to guide the people in the paths of virtue and ways of Salvation, great attention had been paid to the education required by the ministers of God, and in order that they might have a large number of clergy received from the youth ot this country, provision had been made for the foundation of institutions necessary for the education of youths destined bYb V God to enter the holy state of the priesthood. Great attention had also been paid to the all-important question of Catholic Education He need not dwell upon that matter, because it was the intention of the Synod to issue a Joint Pastoral Letter, and in that letter they would have brought before them in detail the chief matters that has been dealt with in that solemn assembly. The sentiment that naturally came uppermost in their minds on that occasion, as one of heartfelt gratitude to God for the celebration of that Synod, as it marked the progress of their holy religion in this new land, and as it was calculated to revive their energy in the work of the Church, and give them a firmer hope and a higher courage in the great responsibility they held in regard to the souls ot men. Another thought occurred to him : this was the *east ot St. Francis of Sales, his patron saint, and it was on that day L., years ago that he received a letter from Rome announcing that he was appointed Bishop of Wellington ; and it was a strange thing that the close of this first Provincial Council should coincide exactly with the day on which he first received news that he was to have the awful responsibility of ruling that diocese. He hoped the people ot this laud would lead holy and virtuous lives ; that the Lnurch in New Zealand mi^ht ever be renowned for its virtue and particularly for its Faith, lor its generosity, and for its charity until the day might come when this Church upon earth should be changed to the Church of God on High ; that they would see God face to face and enjoy him to all eternity.

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