Death of Rev. Father Walsh.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 5, 29 January 1903, Page 4

Death of Rev. Father Walsh.

• Many of our readers in North Canterbury ar.d Auckland will hear with regret of the death of the Rev. E. P. Walsh, who passed away on December 4 at ißleworth, London. The following particulars regarding the sad event have been supplied to the Tuemanian •Monitor' by the Rev. T. M. O'CalUghan, Rathcormac, County 1 The news of Father Walsh's demise will not cause surprise to those who knew of the state of his health for the past few years, in fact ever since his departure from Tasmania. The good works for religion he accomplished as well in Launceston while assistant to the late Very Rev. Dean Butler, as in Deloraine, where he was pastor for a lengthened period, will tell of the energy and selfdevotelnesa displayed in one Australian State. And in New Zealand his name will long survive as a type and specimen of all that is best, truest, and noblest among the ranks of the Irixh clergy. Many friends throughout Tasmania and New Zealand, more especially in Auckland and Kaikoura, will, on reading this obituary, breathe a hearty prayer for mercy, rest, and peace, for the soul of poor Father Edward Walsh. • A few years ago, feeling the weight of years telling upon him, and, knowing of a trouble in his right arm, caused by an accident sustained in mid-life, he determined to cease the active labors of missionary life, and prepare for the great recording day, which he knew but too well could not be long delayed. With this view he took his departure from the islands and lands that dot Australasian waters, and hied him to a French monastery in the Breton districts. Here he edified all by the deep, fervent, but unobtrusive piety that was ever bo remarkable in the genial priest. He entered upon many retreats for his own sanctification, and afforded considerable assistance as well to the good Fathers and Superiors of the Abbey, as to the English-speak-ing pilgrims who were wont to repair thither for rest and peace for body and soul. Learning of a dearth of clergy in Weymouth, England, and being assured by medioal experts that his vigor and frame were equal thereto, he proceeded to the new, but last, field of his labors and toils in God's service. But hie Btay was short. He knew not the rigors of the English climate, and his restless energy afforded him not the leisure to nurse his right arm, which ever demanded from him such vigilance and care. The result was the pain became more and more acute. Local medical advice recommended him to Guy's Hospital, London, for surgical treatment. Amputation of the right fore-arm was decreed. It was patiently and meekly borne, and as everything was supposed to be proceeding in good order, as a permanent cure was promised, the good priest was recommended to a convalescent home at Gunnersbury House, leleworth, London, under the care of the Nursing Sisters of the Company of Mary. In this sanctified retreat Father Walsh was as happy and contented as was possible for him to be. He had the constant sympathy and friendship of Bishop Bagshawe, late of the Nottingham diocese, who is a rtßident there. The good nuns lavished kindness ani care upon him. Bat despite all, cancer ensued.' Father O'Callaghan, who had crowed over fr.im Ireland to see his old friend, was at his bedbide on the morning of December 4, when the end came. The late Father Wakh was bom in Kilkenny, and on the completion of his ecclesiastical Bturliee at All Hallows' College he set out for Tasmania, reaching Hobart towarde the end of 1863, and was immediately appointed absistanfc-priest to Denu Butler m Launceston. Here he remained seven years, after which he took charge of the parish of Deloraine. After 20 years of zealous work in the Deloraine parish Father Wal-h left for New Zealand, and was appointtd a?sistant-priertt to the administrator of the Cathedral parish, Auckland, and later on was rt quested by Bishop Lu^k to aujept the position of Administrator, which he declintd. Shortly after (says the ' Monitor ') he left Auckland for Kaikoura in the archdiocese of Wellington Here again he worked with great fruit, and, after erecting a new and handsome church in the town, he decided to retire from active work in the ministry and left for Europe, as already mentioned by Father O'Callaghan,