Reception of Bishop Verdon

New Zealand Tablet, 26 November 1908, Page 24

Reception of Bishop Verdon

A representative meeting of the Catholics of the Cathedra\ and South Dunedin parishes was held in St. Joseph's Hall on Friday evening for the purpose of making arrangements for the reception of his Lordship the Bishop on his return from Europe. The Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., presided, and the following clergy were also present : — Rev. Fathers Howard and D. O'Neill (South Dunedin), Hearn (Port Chalmers), M. Ryan and D. Buckley (Holy Cross College), Cleary, and Corcoran. Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from the Right Rev. Mgr. Mackay (Oamaru) and the Very Rev. Mgr. O'Leary (Lawrence). Messrs. W. P. Rodgers and J. O'Connor were appointed secretaries. The Rev. Father Coffey said the meeting had been called to take steps to give a fitting reception to his Lordship the Bishop on his return to his diocese. It was close on twelve months since liis Lordship had left for Europe, and during that time he had been engaged in the work of the diocese. It was not likely that at his age he would undertake such a long journey were it not that it was absolutely necessary. Every Bishop, unless excused for some cause, had to proceed to Rome every ten years and present a report on his diocese, and this being the jubilee year of the Holy Father his Lordship felt it his duty to attend the celebrations which took place in Rome on last Sunday. It is a rule of the Catholic Church that every Bishop when away from his diocese be tendered a reception on his return. This had always been the case in Dunedin, and he had no doubt that the people of Dunedin would accord the Right Rev. Dr. Verdon an enthusiastic reception on his arrival here about the middle of January. His Lordship during his visit to Ireland had made efforts to secure the services of one or two priests for the diocese, and had hopes of being successful. This would entail considerable expense, in addition to which his expenses during the last few years had been very heavy, and these had to l)e met by his private funds, which were very limited. The expenses of the upkeep of Holy Cross College had been very great indeed, but it was an institution for the benefit of the people, and was started at the express wish of the Holy Father. It was intended to give his Lordship a suitable reception on his arrival, and present him with an address and substantial testimonial, and he was sure the Catholics of Dunedin would not be behindhand in this work. Other parishes in the diocese had already made a move in this matter. The Hon. J. B. Callan, M.L.C., said, speaking from long experience, it had always been the custom for the Catholics of Dunedin on the return of the Bishop from Rome to present him with an address and a handsome testimonial. This had been the custom since Dunedin had been under the jurisdiction of a Bishop, and he took it that the same course would be followed and the same enthusiasm exhibited on this occasion. His Lordship had not gone for pleasure, but on the business of the diocese, and he could not travel without spending money, and as this was spent in the interests of his flock it was their duty to reimburse him for the expense he had been put to. He proposed that an address expressive of the people's gratitude for his safe return, accompanied by a purse of sovereigns, be presented to his Lordship. ' This was agreed to. All present then formed themselves into a general committee to carry out the object of the meeting. The following were appointed a sub-committee to arrange the details of the reception, etc. : — Rev. Fathers Coffey, Cleary, and Howard, Hon. J. B. Callan, M.L.C., Messrs. J. B. Callan, jun., C. A. Shiel, T. Deehan, F. Loughnan, J. J. Marlow," J. t Saunders, P. Hally, D. Corcoran, F. W. Petre, and Dr. O'Neill, and the secretaries. It was decided to publish the names of subscribers in the Tablet. On the suggestion of the Hon. J. B. Callan ,it was decided lo receive subscriptions for the testimonial at the church door on Sunday, November 29, and following Sunday. Rev. Father Coffey was appointed treasurer of the fund. It was decided to meet his Lordship at the railway station, and from there proceed in processional order to the Cathedral, where the addresses are to be presented. Subscriptions amounting to were received at the meeting.