RETURN OF HIS LORDSHIP BISHOP GRIMES

New Zealand Tablet, 18 December 1913, Page 22

RETURN OF HIS LORDSHIP BISHOP GRIMES

AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION (From our Christchurch correspondent.) His Lordship Bishop Grimes, who was a passenger by the Maunganui from Sydney to Wellington, came on by the ferry steamer Wahine to Lyttelton, where he arrived early on Thursday morning. He was met by the Very Rev. Chancellor Price, Adm., and a large number of the diocesan clergy, and accorded a very warm welcome home. His Lordship celebrated a Mass in the Cathedral at 9 o'clock. During the afternoon he presided at the prize-giving and annual entertainment in connection with the Sacred Heart High School, and in the evening was accorded a public reception at the King's Theatre. Interviewed with regard to his travels, his Lordship, who seems now to be enjoying good health, stated that he had had a trying time, but now felt considerably improved. It was at Colombo that he was overtaken with illness. It seemed to be of a somewhat mysterious nature. About forty stewards, fifty first-class passengers, and some of the other passengers were attacked. Apparently it was some kind of cholera, which brought about extreme weakness. The doctor decided that it would be better for him to stop at a nursing home at Marseilles. The Marist Fathers, who were communicated with by wireless, came down from Lyons to meet him. He was met also by Father Aubry, who was well known in Canterbury. He went to one of the colleges of the Marist Fathers in the South of France. Although it was the beginning of summer the weather was cold, and later on he went to other parts, where he regained his strength. A Message, from the Holy Father. Bishop Grimes had several interviews with his Holiness the Pope, who gave him a message to the people in the Dominion. His Holiness sent a special blessing to' priests and people in New Zealand, and he wished to assure them of the interest he took in their work and the gratitude he felt for their zeal and devotedness. He authorised Bishop Grimes, when going through the parishes, to give his Holiness's blessing as if he had given it himself. His Holiness was very anxious to learn as much as possible of New Zealand and the progress made by the Church in this country. He spoke of the good feeling between the priests and the people, and expressed gratification at the feeling shown towards the Catholics bv their fellow-citizens" of other denominations. He also spoke of the fact that persons in authority in New

Zealand, if they could not help the Church, did not thwart it. He was delighted with the progress made in regard to the erection of Church buildings and presbyteries and the establishment of schools. At first Bishop Grimes was much alarmed at his Holiness’s appearance, on account of his health, and he thought it advisable to make the interview short, but the Pope showed that he did not wish that, and continued to ask questions on Church matters. Cardinal Merry del Val, Secretary of State, told the visitor that the Pope’s illness surprised nobody more that the Pope himself. He belonged to a strong and robust family, with magnificent constitutions, and, apparently, he did not anticipate that anything in the nature of an illness would attack him. His predecessor, on the other hand; was delicate from childhood, and had learnt to take care of himself, and in his old age to seek frequent rests after attending ceremonies and doing other work.

Prosperity at Home.

In both Ireland and England Bishop Grimes saw fewer signs of poverty than when he made his previous visit a few years ago. In the country districts of Ireland, he said, the changed conditions of tenancy induced the people on the land to take more interest in their farms and to make improvements. He left before the Dublin strike, and did not see the evidences of the hardships it brought about, and his remarks had quite a general application. He expressed an opinion that many of the troubles at Home were brought about by agitators, who, having facility for public speaking, inflamed the public mind in regard to grievances, some of which existed, and some of which did not. If there were real grievances the agitators did not wish to have them redressed. He was told that often the agitators were paid only during the continuance of strikes. The deduction was obvious.

On all sides in Ireland and England he saw signs of comfort and ease among the working classes that he had never seen before. That was specially noticeable in England, where usually the two extremes were only too noticeable. There was an absence of drunkenness that was very gratifying. It was attributed to that fact that many places were open now where light drinks, tea, coffee, and other refreshments could be obtained.

The Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

On the Continent he took part in the pilgrimage to ‘Lourdes, and saw one of the cases. It was that of a woman who was suffering from a disease called Pott’s malady. After she had been immersed in the well she suddenly said ‘ I am cured,’ and, as far as could be seen, certainly had been cured. During two days he helped at a medical inquiry into the antecedents of the patients, the nature of the maladies, and the circumstances of the cures. The inquiry was conducted by a number of doctors of different nationalities, including an Englishman, two Frenchmen, and a German and a Belgian. One of the most noticeable features of the pilgrimage was the splendid feeling of humanity disclosed. Sick people, sometimes carried on stretchers, might be heard praying that their neighbours might be cured instead of them; and in many cases leading people and members of the aristocracy were seen doing the most menial offices for the sufferers. He saw a French admiral, with apron on, attending to several patients, and women of all ranks in society acted as nurses.

In Other Parts.

Bishop Grimes spent a good deal of time in different parts of Italy, notably in Tuscany. In Florence, he visited the chapel of the Annunziata, celebrated largely on account of the famous picture by Bartholomeo, painted in the thirteenth century, representing the Madonna. The legend is that the painter began with the Madonna’s feet, and that his confidence failed him when he confronted the task of painting the head, and that it was painted miraculously. Bishop Grimes said that the picture was as perfect to-day as when it was first painted, nearly 700 years ago ; and he described it as the most beautiful painting of the Madonna he had eve^ - seen.

RECEPTION AT THE KING'S THEATRE. Rain fell incessantly all day, but although ceasing towards evening, still the uncomfortable conditions certainly interfered with what otherwise would have been a notable gathering. As it was, about 500 persons attended what was really a very cordial reception to his Lordship the Bishop, and in itself a most enjoyable event. His Lordship arrived promptly at eight o'clock, accompanied by the Very Rev. Chancellor Price, Adm. Already a large number of clergy were present.

The following musical programme was given : Pianoforte solo, ‘ Valse in A flat (Chopin), Mr. A. W. Bunz; song, ‘Morning and you (F. Aylward); Miss Daisy Grant; song, ‘The lute player’ (F. Allitsen), Mr. B. Rennell; song, ‘I think’ (Guy D’Hardelot), Mrs. C. R. Kiver; ’cello solo, ‘ Zig zag (Squire), Mr. H. H. Loughnan; songs — (a) ‘Poppies for forgetting’ (Connongsby Clark), (b) ‘ln my garden’ (S. Liddle), Mrs. J. C. Palmer; recitation, ‘The student,’ Mr. Frank McDonald; song, ‘Revenge’ (Hatton), Mr. B. Rennell. The accompanists were Miss N. Loughnan and Mr. A. W. Bunz.

At the conclusion of the musical portion of the proceedings, his Lordship, accompanied by the Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G., the Very Rev. Chancellor Price, Adm., and Mr. H. H. Loughnan, appeared on the stage. Long-continued applause greeted his Lordship, which was renewed when he was about to reply to the address of welcome, and frequently during the course of his remarks. The Very Rev. Dean Hills read

The Following Address:

‘ May it please your Lordship, —With great joy we, the priests and people of your diocese, are assembled to congratulate you qn your return to the midst of your flock, and to offer you from the depths of our hearts a hundred thousand welcomes. During your Lordship’s absence we have watched with love and devotion your travels abroad, and whilst your serious illness caused us grave anxiety, we rejoice that our prayers for your safe return have been answered. We read with filial interest of your ‘Lordship’s visit to our Holy Father the Pope, and in spirit we were with you at his throne when you tendered to Christ’s Vicar on earth the love and fidelity of your people. We offer your Lordship our heartfelt thanks for the untiring energy with which you have labored in Europe on behalf of the great Cathedral which it has been your life’s work to build, and in tendering you at once our congratulations and our thanks, we beg to assure you that we shall co-operate to whatever extent we can in any scheme for extinguishing the debt which still encumbers it.

' With heartfelt rejoicings that you are again with us, and wishing you years of health and happiness, we beg to subscribe ourselves, on behalf of the priests and people, Francis Hills, S.M., V.G. Thos. W. Price, D.C., Adm., H. H. Loughnan. J. J. Wilson, Hon. Sec. This was supplemented by the Very Rev. Dean Hills in an eloquent verbal address, in the course of which he said that the news of the Bishop's illness on the way back to the Dominion had caused alarm. ' You began badly, my Lord,' he said, ' but you finished strongly, and we are now able to welcome back the same Bishop Grimes that we have known for so many years.' Hi's Lordship's absence had been keenly felt throughout the diocese, and nowhere more so than in the great Cathedral which he had made a life work. In conclusion the Very Rev. Dean handed his Lordship a cheque for nearly £I4OO, as a result of the carnival, with an assurance of priests and people to loyally cooperate with his Lordship in whatever scheme he might suggest to entirely wipe off the comparatively small debt now remaining upon it. Piles of messages of welcome, the Dean said, had been received from all parts of the Dominion.

Mr. H. H. Loughnan, on behalf of the laity, expressed the pleasure and gratitude of the whole diocese at having his Lordship once again in their midst. We had serious misgivings, Mr. Loughnan said, regarding the Bishop’s health, and were even alarmed, but all were doubly grateful and pleased now to welcome him back to Christchurch. In particularly, appropriate and feeling terms Mr, Loughnan voiced the people’s sentiments of loyalty to the Holy Father, and the love they bore their own devoted prelate.

His Lordship’s Reply.

In his reply his Lordship said that it was impossible for him to find words to express his deep gratitude to Almighty God for his restoration to health, to the priests and the laity for their loving reception. Speaking of his illness, Bishop Grimes said that fearing after it he would not be strong enough to carry on the duties as head of the diocese, he had decided to place his resignation in the hands of the Sovereign Pontiff, in order that one stronger in health and with more vigor for the work could take his place. His Holiness had refused the request, and had encouraged him to go on. If assistance were required this would be granted. With the encouraging words of the Holy Father, said the Bishop, he had returned to his home restored in health. On the occasion of both visits to the Pope, his Holiness had referred to the great work done by the diocese and expressed in the beautiful Cathedral. He had directed him to convey to the diocese his Apostolic blessing. His Holiness had expressed his delight at the relationship of the Church with those outside of it. He had said that he was delighted to hear that in Australia and New Zealand the Governments, while they could not help the Catholic Church, placed no obstacles, in the way of her natural duties. Referring to the gift towards the extinction of the debt oh the Cathedral, he said that though the total sum involved had been £60,000, there was now only about £6OOO left as a debt. It was a most satisfactory position, and he was deeply grateful. He thanked the priests and all who had co-operated with them to carry on the duties of the Church during his absence, and those who had assisted in making the reception accorded him such a pleasing success. He had returned restored in health, and determined as long as God gave him strength to spend and be spent in the service of the diocese (applause). On Friday his Lordship presided at the breakingup and prize distribution at St. Bede’s College and St. Mary’s Collegiate School.