A South Sea Island Cathedral.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 4, 22 January 1903, Page 3

A South Sea Island Cathedral.

People (Bays the Sydney ' Catholic Press ') have only a vague idea of the South Sea Islands and know but little of the progress of the Catholio Church in these lands. The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Suva, is quite an imposing edifice of whioh a city would not be ashamed, yet it is reared within sound of the breakers, and within sight of the coral reef of a South Sea island. About it bamboos rise loftily, palms toss their graceful heads, and banana plants flutter their green luxuriance. Above it are the ardent skies of the tropics, and its worshippers for the most part are the dusky Fijians, who little more than a generation ago were suspected cannibals. Suva, of course, is the capital of Fiji, and the headqnarters of a Maria", Bishop, anl therefore has every right to its Cathedral ; but then Suva is only a straggling collection of weatherboard houses along a white beach, not quite as imposing as a small Australian country town, and therefore it ifl really wonderfulto see such a stately ecclesiastical building. Naturally the Marists are very proud of their work, and this year, when they open it, they are anxious to secure hs Eminence the Cardinal for the ceremony, and his Eminence will not disappoint them. The history of the Cathedral ton, is quite a little story.

About 17 years ago. in 1885. a small wooden church was built in Suva. It was amply tpacious for the email congregation of Europeans and Polynesians, but aa the years sped on it was found no longer capable of accommodating the growing congregation. Two wings and a gallery were added to it, and for a few years sufficed to make things more comfortable. The congregation was, however, destined to grow, and again the church was found too small. To meet the exigency a double service was established — one for Europeans and one for colored people. Here it may not he out of place or void of interest to mention that the latter are for the most part natives of the New Hebrides Islands. They are brought here by recruitiDg labor vessels to work on the plantations for a certain period, after which an opportunity is fnrnisbed them of returning to their homes. Many of them, however, prefer to reengage, or to remain as free laborers ; and here, far away from their homes, quite a number have found the gift of faith and become fervent Catholics. This seems the more strange when we know that for years and years zealous missionaries in the Hebrides devoted themselves unsparingly to what seemed a most sterile, fruitless mission. Many of them have had their constitutions wrecked by the island fevers, and yet, supported by graoe and zeal, have held out aDd hoped against hope for better days. These have at Kst dawned, and through this unsuspected Fijian channel. The majority of the Hebrides native laborers here become Catholics, and returning periodically in little colonies, carry back to their homes knowlege, faith, and good Christian lives, and form Catholic centres from which the faith is rapidly spreading among their fellowoountrymen.

To return. Ah time werjt on it was found that a larger church was of urgent necessity, and the zealons Bishop of Fiji (Monseigneur Vidal), who haa much credit in the bank of Divine Providence, and unfailing confidence of success in works demanded for the glory of God, determined, in spite of the pressing needs in other parts of his extensive vicariate, to have a substantial and spacious pro-cathedral erected. It was a bold determination — ore calling forth much energy, courage and perseverance. An attempt to build with a sort of limestone rock found near Snva proved very unsatisfactory, and, perhaps without weighing to the fall what a gigantio undertaking was before them, it was decided to get stone from Sydney, Bince none fit for the work was available in Fiji. It may be of interest to note that, according ro report, there are to be found in certain portions of the group beds of free stone, and also marble of every tint ; but they are in places difficult of access, and no one has attempted to open quarries.

At last the foundation stone was laid by Archbishop Redwood on July 22 1894, and in January, 1895, the great work was begun in earnest. Month after month shiploads of etone were brought from Sydney to Suva, worked up and ipnt into the building at an estimated co^t of not less that £1 sterling per dressed block. The financial burden was greatly increased by a heavy ad valorem duty of 12^ per cent, on the imported stone. The resourcefulness of Mgr. Vidal was severely tested to find means to meet the heavy expenses. More than once he travelled to Europe seeking aid to carry on the great work. As it was not intended to get into debt, the progress was necessarily slow, and the number of hands very limited. The drain on the mission was bo severe that at last it was

found to be a sad necessity to dismiss all the skilled European workmen ; and sines that time, under the direction of the devoted Brother Bourdier, who is arohiteot, mason, smith, and oarpenter by turns, a few half-oastes and Polynesians have carried on the work slowly, but surely, to its present state of advancement. Though far from complete it is used for divine service, and will probably be opened with solemnity during the course of this year. The Cathedral is a little gem of its kind, and the only buildin? in Suva worthy of the genius and energy of Europeans. Nativeß are simply amazed when they see it for the firet time, and all others are load in praise of its beautiful interior finish. The people of Suva of nil denominations eeem very proud of it, and only regret that it is not situated on a more prominent site, that the town might enjoy to the full the possession of such a gem. The style of the building is Romano-Norman of the eleventh century. At present the nave and transept are finished. The towers reach half their height only. A temporary apsis has been ereoted, and the existing sacristy and verandahs are also temporary. The nave, inoluding the centre of the transept, is 80ft. by 37ft. The transept forms two side chapels, each being 32ft. by 18ft. The temporary apsis is 30ft. by 28ft. The top of the ceiling is about 30ft. from the floor. There is a crypt below the ohuroh which is 80ft by 37ft. and 17ft. high. It will, no doubt, be put to good us« later on as a hall or school.

The height of the walls from the bottom of the orypt is about 45ft , and about 35ft. from the ground at the lateral face, The floor is supported by oastiron columns, girders and joists strong enough to resist with security the weight of any crowd that might assemble on it.

The lowness of the walls has not "permitted the adoption of a single arch, la order to redaoe the weight of the spring, the width has been divided into three arches — big one in the centre. To provide against hurricanes great care has been given to secure great strength of roof. Heavy timber has been employed for this purpose, and the frames are fastened with tie beams on the tup of the walls. A special disposition has been made for the centre of the transept. The roof is covered with corrugated galvanised iron, which seems the most reliable for a country exposed to the ravages of hurricane visitations. The ceiling is made of ..timber. It is composed of cylindric arches, and arohes with edges. It is painted in stone color with borders and simulated joints reeembling tile work. The windows are fitted with stained glass. Some contain personages, and others are ornamented with various designs, The^choir occupies a position in the nave over the main entrance,