Death of Father Mulvihill, Gisborne

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIV, Issue 13, 29 March 1906, Page 20

Death of Father Mulvihill, Gisborne

( By telegraph from our Auckland correspondent.) Father Mulvilnll, parish priest of Gisborne, died on Friday night. He was born at Tarbert, Kerry, Ireland, in 1867, and educated at Killarney and Maynooth colleges. He was ordained in 1E92 by the Most Rev. Dr. Walsh, Archbishop of Dublin, and went to Edinburgh, where he labored at St. Patrick's and also acted as chaplain to the late Marquis of "Bute. In the end of 1895, owing to failing health, he was compelled to relinquish his duties, and came out to New Zealand. He arrived in Auckland the year after tho death of Bishop Luck, and was appointed curate at the Cathedral, where he labored for two years. lie was appointed parish priest of Gisborne in 1898. The ' Gisborne Times ' of 21th inst , said : ' Rev. Father Mulvihill passed away after a protracted illness during which he suffered much pain, which he bore with great fortitude. For many years past he had been poorly, and at one time left Gisborne for a period in the hope of a change being beneficial, but he fully acknowledged that he was glad to return to his old home in Gisborne, and being granted assistance in the work, of his church he steadfastly remained at his post until he became too weak to continue. His saintly life was an example to all, and while tho members of the Church must keenly feel the loss of this great and good mam, the feeling of deep regret will be shared in tyy members of all denominations. He was ever of a retiring disposition, but he was gifted with a magnetic influence and persuasive eloquence, that gave him a great influence over all with whom he came in contact. He had a most kindly and self-sacrificing nature, and a firmness in carrying out his duties, and inspired "by the most generous disposition he was a guide, counsellor, and friend, a masterly scholar, and an able preacher, revered by old and young alike. His death can hardly come as a •surnrise. owing to his critical condition for some time past. He had 'faithfully fulfilled the work set him by his Master and the end was peace. He was rational till the last. In every respect he justified the confidence placed in him. He was a man of remarkable abilities. Failing health affected him for years, but he bravely and ardently annlied himself to the work of the Ohurch, and commanded the respect of all." Rev. Father Buckley, of Ponsonby parish, is a relative of the deceased priest, and lived near him at Home, and by the mail last Saturday he wrote the sad news to Father Mulvihill's parents. In Auckland the deerest regret is experienced at his loss. The funeral, which took place on Monday last, was the largest seen in Gisborne, all the business places being closed as a mark of respect to the memory af the deceased R.T.P.