The Late Cardinal Vaughan

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 35, 27 August 1903, Page 29

The Late Cardinal Vaughan

The late Cardinal (writes a correspondent of the Catholic Times ') was not at all averse to outspoken criticism of his conduct by those whom he esteemed. I remember being introduced to him when he was Bishop of Sallord by Monsignor Nugent ; also to his VicarGeneral, Monsignor Gadd. They were at the moment grand figures amidst a great assemblage of members of the Protection and Rescue Society. Morasignor Nugent was asked to speak, and, in addressing the vast meeting he criticised Dr Vaughan for not preaching total abstinence. The criticism was so strong that I felt almost certain the Bishop would feel hurt, but not at all. He was as friendly as ever with Monsignor Nugent ; he did not, however, take up the total abstinence principles.' On the morning of Dr. Vaughan's consecration as I'.ishop of Salford he walked into St. John's Cathedral, Salford, bag in hand, like the other clergy, and was thifs accosted by the late Canon Kershaw : ' And who are you ? ' the Canon thinking that he was a young priest iiom another diocese, and being about to show him to a place among the junior clergy. 'My name is Herbert Vaughan,' was the reply, and from that moment commenced a friendship of which it is impossible to estimate the value in the Bishop's episcopal career. Dr Vaughan, whilst Bishoo of Salford, travelled as the representative of the Eriglish Catholic hierarchy through Spam and Portugal, inspecting the English colleges for the training of priests. In the course of his travels he came to the small College of San Lucar, near Cadiz, and this, he discovered, had originally been a hospice for English sailors. In the reign of Elizabeth it was diverted from its original purpose and used as a seminary for priests to serve in England. After this it fell into other hands, and so remained for centuries. Through the persevering efforts of the Bishop the college funds were again used for the training of English priests.

Writing in the ' Manchester Guardian,' a contributor who signs himself ' B ' quotes the following words from a message which the Cardinal sent him before his death . ' I do not esxpect to survive long. I have no right to count on days or weeks, still less months or years. I thank God for the great grace. . . to have no other desire than the Divine Will in every detail.'

As the Bishop of Salford, says the ' Manchester Evening News,' Dr. Vaughan and our own Bishop of those days (Dr. Fraser) were brought into the closest contact They were both physically, mentally, and morally great men of the same type. To watch them walk aim in arm along our busy streets as many of us have done was an experience never to be forgotten. Such an incident, which was not occasional but frequent, was an object-lesson in the brotherhood of all Christian Churches which has never been forgotten. Who can pretend to calculate its value ?