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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 36, 4 September 1902, Page 7

Newß waß recently received (6ays the Sydney Freeman* Journal) of the death of Mrs. Michael Crofts, of Camden streeti Dublin, only daughter of the late Mr. Peter Tierney, Ennistymon, County Clare. The deceased lady, whose remains were followed to Glasnevin cemetery by a large body of clerical and lay mourners, was a sister of the Rev. D. lierney, C.SS.R. (Limerick), and of Mr, Peter Tierney (Lieutenant-Colonel, Church street Catholic Boysj Brigade), aunt of Sister M. Thomasine (Crofts), Dominican Convent, Invercargill (N.Z.), and sister-in-law of Mr. J. J. Crofts, a gentleman well-known in this State. Bigotry has received a check in Bendigo, where, of late, it haa been more than usually aggressive and rampant, says a local paper. The sub-committee appointed to inquire into the charges brought by Canon Watson, of All Sainta' Anglican Church, against clergymen and nuns of the Catholic Church — that they did not confine their ministrations to the patients of their own denomination, but made proselytes from members of other churches — reported the result of their investigations to the Hospital Committee lecently. The sub-committee — Messrs A. Mackay (prenident), Hoskins, Green, and Dr. Gaffney — met on July 31, when Canon Watson and Father fchanahan called witnesses and addressed the committee at the conclusion of the evidence. Evidence was given that a patient named. Wilson, who stated that he was a member of the Church of England and was entered as such in the hospital records, was some weeks after admission admitted as a member of the Catholic Church, and died four hours after the ceremony. The evidence of the patient's wife, three sisters, a friend, Wardsman King, and four nurtes was taken, and statements by the nuns and Father Shanahan were read. The following decision was recorded :— 'After due and careful inquiry into the case of the late William Wilson, we beg to report that he was admitted to the hospital on February 7, 1902, With his own approval he was entered as a member of the Church of England, and he was visited by a clergyman of that denomination. Just prior to his death, however, he was, at the solicitation of his wife, admitted into the Catholic Church, apparently in keeping with a previous promise made to her. There is no evidenoe to show that any undue influence was used by any Catholio priest or nun to cause him to change his faith. Canon Watson, not having cited any other case, our inquiries were confined to the one above mentioned.'