The Catholic World

New Zealand Tablet, 23 November 1911, Page 2383

The Catholic World

ENGLAND BESTOWAL OF PAPAL HONORS. In the last week of September an interesting ceremony took place at St. Mary's Seminary, Oscott, when Miss Mary Thorpe, of Walsall, received from the hands of the Right Rev. Dr. Ilsley, Bishop of Birmingham, the gold cross and diploma pro ecclesia et Pontifice,' which has been bestowed upon her by the Holy Father for her many distinguished services to the cause of religion. Her devotion to the Confraternity of Children of Mary as president since its inception at St. Mary's, Walsall, her conspicuous generosity in restoring and beautifying the church, and her recent munificence in erecting at her own cost the entire fabric of the new are among the reasons that led the Bishop to petition for this rare decoration. THE MARIST ORDER. The presentation of an illuminated address and a purse of £370 to Very Rev. Father Peter Murphy, the Provincial of the Marist Fathers in England, was the occasion of a large and enthusiastic gathering at St. Anne's Hall, Albert street, E., on October 2. Father Murphy, who, during the twenty years he has been connected with the Church of St. Anne, Underwood street, has endeared himself to the people of the parish, was born in 1860. In 1882 he made his religious profession, and was ordained in Dundalk four years later. Among the subscribers to the testimonial might be mentioned, in addition to many dignitaries of the Church, Mr. John Redmond, M.P., the Hon. Harry Lawson, M.P., Mr. Stuart Samuel, M.P., and the Dowager Duchess of Newcastle. The testimonial committee was composed of an energetic body of parishioners. Dr. E. G. Ambrose was treasurer, and Father Boyle, S.M., and Mr. Hanlon joint secretaries. The chairman (Dr. Ambrose) in calling upon Mr. Hanlon to read the address, said they honored Father Murphy as a distinguished Churchman and as a citizen. As a priest he had risen from the ranks to the highest position in the Order he could aspire to. As a citizen Father Murphy had occupied a public position in Whitechapel for many years, and the speaker could testify to the able manner he had carried out his duties as poor-law guardian. His motto had been ' the alleviation of the sufferings of the poor and the betterment of their conditions.' He did that to the best of his ability and efficiently. Mr. Hanlon read the address, an illuminated copy of which was presented to the jubilanan At the foot appears the inscription: Iwenty-five years at the altar; twenty years with us. Father Murphy made a suitable and feeling reply. FRANCE A BRAVE PRIEST. _ M. l"Abbe Antoine Richard has supplied French anti-clericals with a proof of the sterling worth and spirit of self-sacrifice which may lurk beneath the insanely hated soutane (says the Catholic Weekly). Abbe Richard, aged twenty-six, was one of the passengers in the ill-fated auto-'bus which crashed the other day through the parapet of a Paris bridge, and was precipitated into the Seine. As the vehicle mounted on to the pavement he had the presence of mind to rush into the first-class portion of the conveyance, where the windows were open. Getting on to the seat, he tried to throw himself through the window, but was caught by his cassock, and made the fearful plunge into the water still attached to the conveyance. Fortunately the force of the shock set him free from the conveyance, and, although an excellent swimmer, he resisted the natural impulse to make for the bank near at hand where a few strokes would have landed him. Forgetful of himself, the brave priest plunged for the windows or the bus, hidden under the water, in order to rescue

two children imprisoned within, whom he succeeded in bringing to shore. Though very short-sighted, he repeated the performance five more times, and saved several other passengers, in spite of the loss of his spectacles. At length his exhausted strength made further Rescues impossible. Hardly able to stand, he was supported on his way to the nearest pharmacy by some of the spectators, who would have liked to carry him in triumph. Thus does the French priesthood heap coals of fi*e upon an ungrateful nation. The City Council of Paris has petitioned the Government to confer the cross of the Legion of Honor on Abbe Richard. ITALY THE HOLY FATHER AND THE EMIGRANTS. The Holy Father has just taken an important step for the better safeguarding of the faith and morality of Italian emigrants. Within the last quarter of a century various institutions have been set on foot by the Catholic authorities in Italy for the benefit of intending emigrants, but many of the Italians going abroad have not availed themselves of the services thus placed at their disposal. His Holiness (says the Catholic Times) has now directed that systematic arrangements shall be made in their interests throughout Italy The Cardinal Secretary of State has addressed a letter to all the Bishops of the country explaining the Holy Father's wishes. In cities and districts which send forth emigrants the parish priests are to take special care that youth are well instructed as to the tenets of their faith. Doctrinal teaching is to be thorough, so that if those who receive it go later on to other lands they may be able to repel attacks upon their faith In each diocese there is to be a Catholic Emigration Society under the presidency of the Bishop. Through it men and women who intend- to leave Italy either temporarily or for life will obtain information with regard to the towns or districts in which they propose to settle, and will be supplied with letters of recommendation to the clergy. Losses to the Church will, it may be confidently hoped, be prevented through the zeal of the parochial clergy and the action of these societies. ROME BIBLICAL FOUNDATION IN JERUSALEM. In connection with the Pontifical Biblical Institute founded in Rome about two years ago (says a Rome correspondent), the. Holy Father has despatched to Jerusalem the Very Rev. Father Fonck, SJ first rector of that establishment, with orders to open' there a branch house for the sake of those students who have passed through the Roman institution. According to the practical mind of the Holy Father the best conclusion to a course of studies in the hall of the Bibli-al institute is a period passed in the Holy Land, where a student may see for himself the scenes so graphically described m the Holy Scriptures. As a matter of fact father .bonck, who has already arrived at the Holy Uty is now engaged in making arrangements for the building which is considered almost a sine qua non to the thorough success of the Institute in Rome This idea of the Pope has been long since carried into effect by the Dominican Order and by the Assumptionist .bathers with the most satisfactory results. CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS. . His Holiness Pius X. continues to make material improvements in the diocese of Rome (says a Rome correspondent) On the return of the Cardinal-Vicar, the seat of the Vicariate will be transferred from the I lazza S. Agostmo to the commodious buildings where the Banco di Roma once carried on business. Another large church which is being built mainly at the expense of the Capuchin Order, is rising on the Via Boncompagni. Catholic clubs are procuring larger meeting houses and Catholic, associations are growing stronger