Consecration of Archbishop Harty

New Zealand Tablet, 12 March 1914, Page 45

Consecration of Archbishop Harty

The consecration of the Most Rev. Dr. Harty as Archbishop of Cashel and Emly took place on Sunday, January 18, in , the cathedral town of Thurles, Co. Tipperary. An immense concourse of people thronged the historic town, and the impressive ceremonies were attended by many members of the Irish hierarchy, in addition to representatives of the religious Orders, of the clergy of the archdiocese, and by numerous distinguished Irish laymen. Thurles was en fete for the occasion, triumphal arches, banners, flags, and heraldic devices, with a host of bilingual greetings of welcome . to the new Archbishop distinguished the scheme of decoration on all sides. The consecrating prelate was the Most Rev. ,Dr.. Fennelly (late Archbishop of the See), assisted by the Most Rev. Dr. Browne, Bishop of Cloyne, and the Most Rev. Dr. Sheehan, Bishop of Waterford. About 3000 people witnessed the solemn ceremonies in the spacious cathedral, and the privileged laity in the sanctuary included the mother of the new prelate, Mrs. Mary Harty, of Murroe, Co. Limerick. In addition to the officiating prelates, the following Bishops were present;— Fogarty-, Killaloe ; Dr. O’Dwyer, Limerick ; Dr. Brownrigg, Ossory ; Dr. O’Dea, Galway; Dr. Kelly,' Ross; Dr. Mangan, Kerry; Dr. Cotter, Portsmouth; Dr. McKenna, Clogher; Dr. Morrisroe, Achonry ; the Lord Abbot of Mount Melleray; and the Lord Abbot of Mount St. Joseph’s, Roscrea. The consecration sermon was preached by the Most Rev. Dr. Fogarty. After referring to the episcopal office, its dignity and responsibility, his Lordship alluded to the character and gifts of the newly-conse-crated Archbishop. ‘ Sprung from yourselves,’ he said, • ‘ you know the blood that runs in his veins." Divine Providence, that makes its calculations in the silence of eternity, and sees the end in the beginning, endowed him with gifts of mind and character which distinguished him amongst his fellows, blessed his soul while still a child with light and grace, in preparation for the call that came to him, like Samuel, in the night, and placed him on the altar “a faithful priest of God.” And then, still steadily pursuing, but not yet declaring, its high ulterior ends, installed him a professor of theology in the College of Maynooth—that unrivalled institution, great mother of Ireland’s famous priesthood, and of many mitres— his hand was schooled and strengthened to carry honorably the historic crozier of Cashel that is placed in it to-day.’ In conclusion, his Lordship said ‘We hail the Most Rev. Dr. Harty as Archbishop of Cashel and Metropolitan of Munster; we rejoice at his appointment, we congratulate him on his exalted position, however much he himself may shrink from it; and, under God and with all our hearts and fervent prayers, we wish him many happy years of heaven-blessed rule to, reign over a loyal and devoted priesthood and a people, who, like their fathers, love their country dearly, but love God still more, His Holy Church and the Pontiffs who speak for it.’ When the procession had returned to the college, a series of addresses of congratulation and loyalty were presented to Dr. Harty in the presence of a great assembly of the people in front of the cathedral. The addresses were received from deputations representing the chapter and clergy of the archdiocese, and from scholastic, national, and public bodies throughout Munster. A banquet was afterwards held in the college, at which 400 guests were entertained, and in the evening there were firework displays in the College Park and a torchlight procession through the town. , '