Diocese of Perth

New Zealand Tablet, 13 February 1913, Page 27

Diocese of Perth

It was announced some time ago (says the W.A. Record of January 18) that his Lordship Bishop Clune would pay his ad li/nina visit to Rome this year to render an account of his stewardship of-the diocese of Perth to our Holy Father Pope Pius X., and give l a detailed report of the spiritual • and temporal state of the diocese over which lie has ruled for the past two years. Only this week his Lordship has been able to complete his arrangements, and he has decided to leave by the Maloja on February 3. By the same boat Father R. O'Neill, of Cottlesloe, and Father J. Kiely, of Boulder, who have labored in West Australia for over twelve years, will leave for a well-deserved holiday. Our readers will remember that in 1911, the Bishop made an arrangement with the Union Bank whereby the general manager agreed to forego all interest up to May next, provided a reduction of the central debt to the extent of £40,000 prior to May 1, 1912, and. a further reduction of £20,000, were effected before the Ist of May next. The first report of the assets and liabilities of the Perth diocese, published by his Lordship last May, disclosed the fact that the big central debt had been reduced in twelve months by the very substantial sum of £52,180 19s 2d. We are pleased to inform our readers that complete arrangements have been made for the payment of the required balance before next May, and that the Bishop will be able to render a very satisfactory, account of.the temporal as well as the spiritual interests of his extensive jurisdiction. The obligation of going to Rome is incumbent on every Catholic Bishop. In the ordinary course of events Bishop Clune should have gone last year, but pressure of urgent business was accepted as a justifying cause for deferring his ad limina visit to this year. Some time ago his Lordship was approached by representatives of the clergy and laity, who were anxious to mark their appreciation of his excellent administrative work in the diocese, by a public testimonial. But his Lordship has definitely refused to accept any testimony whatsoever.