DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 14 December 1911, Page 2525

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) December 11. At the last fortnightly meeting of the men’s division of the arch-confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament the occasional discourse was given by the Right Rev. Mgr. O’Reilly, of Auckland, who delivered an impressive address. At a meeting held after Mass on Sunday in the Marist Brothers’ School of the committee in connection with the annual Catholic outing and picnic, the arrangements were reported to be in a very advanced state. A separate sub-committee has in hand the care of the small children of the school, whose amusement will be well catered for, a substantial sum being voted to procure prizes for their sports programme. In all thirty-one sports events are provided in the different sections. The Stanmore Band has been engaged, and also a piper for the step-dancing contests. Tea and refreshment rooms will probably be provided. At Mass celebrated in the Chapel of Nazareth House by his Lordship the Bishop, who was attended by the Rev. Father Graham, S.M., on last Friday morning (Feast of the Immaculate Conception), fifteen of the little orphan children made their First Communion. At Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the evening the sodality of the Children of Mary was inaugurated, six aspirants being received by the Rev. Father Graham. His Lordship the Bishop addressed those present in appropriate terms on each occasion. On last Friday evening in honor of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception the Sacred Heart Convent and grounds were beautifully illuminated as is the usual custom, whilst open-air processions and devotions were participated in by the Sisters and children. His Excellency the Governor (Lord Islington), accompanied by Captain Shannon, A.D.C., visited the Sacred Heart Convent on last Saturday morning. He was met and welcomed by his Lordship Bishop Grimes, the Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., the Rev. Mother Provincial, and several Sisters. He was then conducted to the school, where the children were assem-

bled. As his Excellency entered they sang the National Anthem, and afterwards went through a short musical and elocutionary programme. At the conclusion, his Excellency thanked the children in very gracious terms, and asked that they should be granted a Holiday later, to be called the Governor’s day. Lord Islington also expressed the exceeding pleasure the visit had given him. - Speaking in the Cathedral and again in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at New Brighton on Sunday his Lordship the Bishop entered an emphatic protest against the crusade of calumny now disfiguring the political life of this. Dominion. In olden times there was (said the Bishop) a native of Athens in Greece, whose name was Aristides, whose fame as a statesman and a warrior won for him the title of the ‘Just. But he had his enemies who were jealous of his growing popularity, and Theraistocles, his great rival, growing still more jealous, gradually xaised a strong feeling against him by representing how dangerous it was for a democracy that any individual should be allowed to gain such influence as that of Aristides. The Athenians, uneasy at this idea, banished him by ostracism in 483 B.C. On this occasion, an ignorant fellow who did not know Aristides, came up to him and, giving him his shell, desired him to write upon it the name of Aristides. The latter asked in surprise if Aristides had done him any wrong. ‘No,’ was the reply. ‘I do not even know him, but it irritates me to hear him everywhere called the “Just.” ’ Aristides made no answer, but took the shell and wrote his own name thereon. I am forcibly reminded of this anecdote in the life of the great Aristides (continued the Bishop) by what has been happening in this Dominion for some years past, and more especially within the last few weeks. The one at the head of the Government of New Zealand is deservedly looked up to as a man of great worth, of integrity, diplomatic skill, and cleverness, but there is just this one thing against him he has the unpardonable fault of being * just ’ a Catholic. I know many who have the greatest regard for him as a politician, a citizen, and a patriot, but, they say, you know, he is. a Catholic.” Because of this fact I have reason to know for certain that people stop at no expedient to lower him in the eyes of our fellow colonists. Vile insinuations, wicked aspersions, have been made against or flung upon him, cowardly, basely cruel, unjust charges are made against, him, and the most brutal motives have been and are attributed to his mode of actinginsinuations, aspersions, _ charges, . and motives unworthy not alone of gentlemen, but of upright Christians, loyal and patriotic citizens.’ In conclusion, the Bishop adjured his hearers to regard the political situation as their own commonsense dictated, and to vote as their conscience bade them, having in mind always their duty to God, their country,'and their conscience, and not to be swayed by unworthy motives, personal or otherwise.