Intercolonial

New Zealand Tablet, 13 April 1911, Page 691

Intercolonial

The Very Rev. Father Patrick Verling, of Subiaco, W.A., who was Administrator of the diocese of Perth in the interim between Bishop Gibney’s retirement and the succession of Bishop Clune, has been appointed VicarGeneral of the diocese. On the Feast of St. Joseph, March 19, a ceremony of reception took place at St. Joseph’s Convent, North Sydney. His Grace Archbishop Kelly officiated. Among the young ladies received were Miss Elizabeth Stack (in religion Sister M. Chrysostom), New Zealand; Miss Margaret Brosnahan (Sister M. Rita), New Zealand. The Very Rev. Father Field, consultor to the FatherGeneral of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, is at present in Sydney. Father Field is an Irxsnman, but his headquarters are in Rome, where he is associated with the Very Rev. Father Meyer, General of the Order, who himself visited Sydney a few years ago. By the R.M.S. Otway on March 29 Mr. Tighe Ryan, editor of the Sydney Catholic Press, sailed on a six-months’ holiday in Europe. He was seen off by a large number of priests and laymen. During Mr. Ryan’s absence Mr. H. A. Conant will be acting-editor of the paper. On the previous Monday at the Catholic Club Mr. Ryan, who has filled the editorial chair for fourteen years, was given a send-off by a number of his friends, who presented him with an illuminated address and a purse containing two hundred sovereigns. Immediately after Mass on Sunday, March 27, the congregation of St. Augustine’s Church, Yass, met in the new school-hall for the purpose of making Father Leonard a presentation of a purse of sovereigns prior to his departure to his native land on an extended holiday. Mr. Cusack, M.L.A., occupied the chair and made the presentation, while Mr. Sheehey read the address on behalf of the parishioners of St. Augustine’s. After attending Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, the delegates to the 31st annual meeting of the New South Wales District of the H.A.C.B. Society gathered in the Chapter Hall, where the conference was inaugurated. District President W. M. Fox was in the chair, and his Grace Archbishop Kelly opened _ the proceedings with prayer. The District President in his address said that the society had at no previous period shown such progress in a spiritual and material way as during the past twelve months. When the present executive took office a year ago its members set before themselves two goals—one to reach the 10,000 mark in membership, and the other to raise £IOOO for St. Mary’s Cathedral. That day ho was happy to be able to tell them both tasks had been completed. Ho opened a new branch at Merriwa on Sunday last, 73 members joined, and there was a prospect of a ladies’ branch being established in that centre during the next few days. The spirit of Hibernianism was very strong in the northern districts and the indications were that it would become still stronger. Archbishop Kelly in the course of his address said the delegates assembled represented more than 100 male and over 30 female branches. They had to make a great stride during the past year to reach a membership of 10,000, and, though there were some secessions, the net aggregate gain for the period reviewed in the report was over 1400. They were to be congratulated. The society was as a tree planted by the running waters, flourishing and bearing good fruit in season. At Adelaide last week his Eminence Cardinal Moran passed some interesting observations upon international affairs. Referring to the ’ Anglo-American Arbitration treaty, his Eminence remarked : ‘ I have a'ways advocated that it would be splendid to have a strong arbitration tribunal, which would have all the power of England and America behind it, and with Germany at their, back. to enforce the claims of peace, this would be a grand development of our Christian civilisation and its crowning work. lam confident that all the Powers would agree that the time has come to put an end to war. England, Germany ,and the United States have nothing further to gain by warfare. It is often said that Germany’s fleet m being built up against England. Ido not believe that. There may be war in the Mediterranean should the Emperor of Austria die; there would be trouble with regard to Italy’s position. The desire of Italy is to proclaim a Socialist Republic. If there were a revolution in Italy, of course Germany would step in; but I don’t think there is any desire to attack England. Germany would have nothing to gain from war with Great Britain. When statesmen have a certain end in view, they often distract attention by making people think they are aiming at something else. The present year is a very ominous one for Italy. All the revolutionaries of Europe are focussing their attention there, owing to the celebrations in' connection with the fiftieth anniversary of the/Unity of Italy. Now', with a Socialist Ministry, the outlook is gloomy, indeed. Remembering the unrest existing in other countries, I think we have reason to rejoice that Australia always enjoys peace and perfect freedom and is bent on maintaining the laws of equity and justice for all.’