THE APOSTOLIC DELEGATE

New Zealand Tablet, 4 March 1915, Page 25

THE APOSTOLIC DELEGATE

OFFICIAL WELCOME IN SYDNEY. There could hardly have been a more enthusiastic or fitting tribute to the high office of the Apostolic Delegate than the splendid welcome accorded his Excellency, Archbishop Cerretti, on Saturday afternoon, February 13, on the occasion of his official landing in Sydney (says the Catholic Cress). Leaving Fort Macquarie at a quarter past 2, the Government launch Premier sped down the harbor to the Archbishop’s Wharf at Manly to embark his Excellency and convey him to the city. There were on board the launch, their Graces the Archbishops of Sydney and Melbourne, the Coadjutor-Arch-bishops of Brisbane and Adelaide, their Lordships the Bishops of Armidale, Maitland, Goulburn, and Wilcannia, a number of the clergy, and representative Catholic laymen. In the wake of the official launch there followed a flotilla of steamers bearing the priests of the various parishes, the members of the friendly societies, various lay officials and the general public. On reaching Manly no time was lost in embarking his Excellency, and the Premier swung her bows towards the city again, and took her place in the midst of the convoy, all the steamers of which tooted their sirens vigorously as the fleet proceeded up the harbor. Steaming at moderate speed, the fleet made proud procession. Bunting of gay colors waved from every shroud and masthead, the bands on board played lively airs, and the thousands who packed the decks of every steamer cheered and cheered again, their vociferous welcome reverberating loudly over the harbor. Immediately on landing the Apostolic Delegate was greeted by the Lord Mayor (Aid. Richards), who welcomed his Excellency to the city and introduced him to the waiting representatives of the State and Commonwealth Governments and the City Council. In extending his greeting, the Lord Mayor said: ‘ As Lord Mayor, and on behalf of the aldermen and citizens of Sydney, I desire to extend to you a respectful and hearty welcome as Apostolic. Delegate to Australasia. Moreover, since your official residence has been located in our metropolis by the Holy See, I rejoice in saluting your Excellency as a fellow-citizen.’ A graceful and courteous reply was made by his Excellency, who said he was deeply touched by the warmth and undoubted cordiality of the welcome extended to him, and expressed the hope that he would have the opportunity of showing his gratitude for the kindness of his reception. As his Excellency and party emerged from the wharf on to the roadway there was further loud cheering, which the Apostolic Delegate acknowledged. The

procession then formed up and moved up the hill into Macquarie street. First came, the mounted police, then the members of the A.H.C. Guild, the H.A.C.B. Society, the Irish National Foresters, the Catholic Federation, the leading priests and representative members of the laity, the Diocesan Consultors, the Bishops of Armidale, Goulburn, Wilcannia and Maitland, the Coad-jutor-Archbishops of Brisbane and Adelaide, the Archbishop of Melbourne, the Archbishop- of Sydney and stall, and his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate, escorted by a mounted guard of honor from the friendly societies. The procession, which extended almost the full length of Macquarie street, also included four bandsthe Westmead Home, Mcßride’s, St. Joseph’s (Hunter’s Hill), and Rozelle. En route tJie streets were lined with interested and enthusiastic spectators, and from every window and point of vantage people looked on and applauded the passing pageant. At St. Mary’s a crowd of many thousands broke into tempestuous cheering when the Cathedral bells chimed out their greeting to the approaching visitor. On arriving at St. Mary’s, the Apostolic Delegate, accompanied by the prelates and clergy, entered the sacristy, where he vested. A procession was formed, and at the main entrance his Excellency was received by the Cathedral clergy. . After the ‘ Ecce Sacerdos Magnus,’ ‘ Tu es Petrus’ had been sung, and the ‘ Te Deum ’ intoned, addresses were presented to his Excellency from the hierarchy, the priests, and laity. ADDRESS FROM THE HIERARCHY. His Grace the Archbishop of Sydney then read the following address : ‘ May it please your Excellency,• We, the Archbishops of Australia and Suffragan Bishops of New South Wales, desire to extend to your Excellency a dutiful and fraternal welcome to our Australian shores. Your advent revives our affectionate remembrance of the saintly Pontiff by whom you were appointed, and assures us of an equally paternal solicitude for our welfare on the part of his successor, by whom that appointment was cordially blessed. Although geographically we are the most distant portion of the flock committed in its entirety to the Roman Pontiff as successor of St. Peter, we experience the same vigilant and apostolic care as is enjoyed in countries much nearer to the centre of unity. Our very remoteness, coupled with the almost unprecedented expansion, within one century, of the Church in Australia, the unbroken union among its hierarchy, the zeal and priestly spirit of the clergy, and the faith and generosity of the people have, we feel sure, combined to move the Sovereign Pontiff To grant us a personal representative of the Holy See and a permanent centre of Papal juris-

diction. If any evidence of this spirit of faith and generosity were needed, it would be found in the institutions of religion, education, and charity, which abound throughout this young land. We are confident that his Holiness will be consoled and gratified when your Excellency, after having acquired a full knowledge of the condition of the Church in Australasia, will be able to assure him that “the Lord hath done great things for us,” and that if the pioneer priests and people “sowed in tears, now we reap in joy.” ‘ The majestic temple in which we are assembled — the Mother Church of Australasia—although still unfinished, is in itself an epitome of the history of the Church in this country. Undertaken by the first Archbishop of Sydney; greatly advanced by his scholarly successor; and brought to its present stage by the illustrious Prince of the Church whose remains it enshrines; we trust that its completion will be one of the memorable events in the celebration of which your Excellency will have the pleasure of participating. We need scarcely assure your Excellency that the Catholic people confided to our care are devoted to the Crown and Constitution under which they enjoy so large a measure of liberty and prosperity, and that generally harmonious relations exist between Church and State. ‘ In conclusion, we beg to congratulate your Excellency on your advancement to your present high and responsible position. The experience gained in other lands, and the marked appreciation of your lofty character and ability entertained by the Bishops of America as well as by the Holy See, strengthen our confidence that, with God’s blessing, your sojourn among us will be crowned with the happiest results.’ ADDRESS FROM THE CLERGY AND LAITY. The following address from the clergy and laity of the archdiocese of Sydney was read by the Right Rev. Monsignor P. L. Coonan, P.P., V.G. : ‘ May it please your Excellency,—The privilege of first approach to your presence falls to the lot of this diocese—the mother diocese of your jurisdiction through the fortunate circumstances of your arrival in this southern land through our port. Now, in your official presence as Delegate of the Sovereign Pontiff, we experience a sense of religious reverence, combined with loving devotion, which are inspired by the “Faith of our Fathers” in Christ and His Vicar, an inheritance from the old lands, which is dearer to us than life itself. The charge “feed My lambs, feed My sheep,” was confided to Peter by Him, to Whom, even as man, all power in heaven and on earth was given. From Peter this commission passed, according to the manifest intention of our Divine Lord, to Peter’s successors throughout all generations, to Linus, Cletus, and Clement of the first century, and through the unbroken line of Popes down to the reigning Pontiffßenedict XV. By Pius X. of holy memory this portion of the Catholic fold was erected into an Apostolic Delegation, and by him your Excellency was appointed as its first incumbent. Yours, therefore, it will be to safeguard among us the bonds of unity, both in faith and discipline. Yours it is to invest Australasia with that eclat which emanates from the actual exercise of supreme ecclesiastical jurisdiction. ' A century ago the Catholic Church in Australasia consisted of a few thousand afflicted souls, without a single priest. Eighty years ago the first Bishop arrived in Sydney. His clergy were few, and his flock scattered. Churches and schools had to be built. There were no nuns. But now in the episcopate of the fourth Archbishop of Sydney, the faithful number over 205,000; the churches ' count 194; secular and regular clergy amount to 229 ; there are 218 religious Brothers, 1496 nuns, 3 seminaries, 33 colleges, 53 superior day schools, 209 primary schools, and 33 charitable institutions. These figures stand to the credit of the archdiocese of Sydney only, over and above which .your Excellency’s jurisdiction comprehends several Archbishoprics, numerous Bishoprics, over 1100 priests, 5500 nuns, 360 religious Brothers, and 863,000 Catholics. ‘ Finally, your Excellency will permit us to congratulate you upon having been chosen and sent by

the Chair of Peter as our first Apostolic Delegate. ‘ Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, to direct our feet in the way of peace.” We pray that your term of office may be fruitful for religion and enjoyable to yourself. The choice of a residence is, of course, reserved to the Holy See; but wherever in the future your official residence may be located, we, your devoted children, the clergy and laity of Sydney, shall rejoice in having had the providential privilege of being the first diocese within your jurisdiction to lay our greetings at your feet.’ HIS EXCELLENCY REFLIES. His Excellency, in replying to the address, said: Allow me, in the first place, to congratulate you on the recognition and high honor which you have received from the Holy See, through the erection of the Apostolic Delegation for Australasia. The fact that you have now a personal representative of the Holy Father among you is at once a great dignity and a recognition of the marvellous work accomplished by you under the Southern Cross. When the great Pontiff Leo XIII., nearly twenty years ago, established the Apostolic Delegation for the United States of America, he said; ‘ 1 am going to treat America as the greatest monarchies and empires have been treated ; 1 am going to send there a permanent Apostolic Delegate; the wonderful development of the Catholic Church there requires it; the episcopate, clergy, and people deserve it.’' The saintly Pontiff Pius X. used nearly the same words when he issued a decree last year by which the Apostolic Delegation was erected for Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania. You know better than I how much he loved this distant portion of his flock. When I had the consolation of kneeling at his feet—just a month before he departed this life—l heard from his lips most affectionate words in your regard : ‘ My dear children of Australasia,’ he said, ‘ arc furthest from Rome, but nearest to my heart.’ You have now a lasting pledge of his affection in the erection of the Apostolic Delegation. ■ Benedict XV. gloriously reigning, succeeded Pope Pius X. on the Throne of Peter, and I can assure you that his interest in and his affection for you are not less than that of his predecessors. At his feet I learned how much he has at heart this new foundation, and what great fruit he expects from it. If, however, I must congratulate you on the great honor you have received from the Holy See, I cannot congratulate you on this election of the first occupant of the Apostolic Delegation . I can assure you sincerely, that anybody else who would have been selected for this high office would have been better qualified than your humble servant. However, I had to obey, when I was sent to be your first Apostolic Delegate. The cordial welcome I received on my arrival, and the magnificent reception to-day, have banished all feelings of fear and anxiety, and have made me feel quite at home. I have been present at many receptions of the kind in various countries, but I can state with truth that none has surpassed this one. Appreciation of Welcome. It is to me a great consolation and a great honor to be surrounded on my arrival by so many of the Archbishops and Bishops of Australasia, and in addition by so many of the distinguished clergy and laity of this fair land. It is impossible for me to express as I would wish my sentiments of gratitude to his Grace the Archbishop of Sydney, and to the venerable Archbishop of Melbourne, and to all the other Archbishops and Bishops. Nor can I fully express my deep appreciation of the welcome extended to me by the civil authorities. I could not have expected from them a treatment more gracious or more expressive of the good feelings which I trust will always characterise our relationships. I wish to thank in particular the hierarchy for the kindly and inspiring sentiments expressed in their address. For long years, my Lord Archbishops and Bishops, I have known of your labors and of the qualities of mind and heart that you brought to your work, as well as of your loyalty and devotion to the

Holy. See. I have an eloquent testimony of these virtues in the hearty manifestation of sympathy and respect to-day. The Irish missionary spirit has been, in all countries speaking the English tongue, the great factor in building up and extending the Church of God, And that this country is no exception to the rule is proved by the many flourishing institutions of religion, education, and charity which abound throughout the land. Loyalty of Catholics. And among such institutions, this majestic temple well deserves the special mention you have made of it. It has grown out of the soil on which the first Catholic church in Australasia rested, and it will remain monumentum acre perenni-us of the faith and generosity of the Catholic people. It would be a great pleasure for me to participate in the celebrations which are to mark its final completion. I am not surprised to hear that the Catholics under your care are devoted to the Crown and Constitution. Catholics in every country have ever been loyal to lawfully-constituted authority, and when they enjoy so large a measure of liberty and prosperity as in this country, as mentioned by you, the State cannot but expect from them their cordial co-operation. Finally, I desire to thank you for the kind expressions directed to me personally, and which I feel deeply and appreciate fully. Permit me now to thank the clergy and laity of the archdiocese of Sydney for the words of welcome addressed to me by the Vicar-General, Monsignor Coonan. lam very happy to be now one of your fellow-citizens, and I look forward to the enjoyment of the many charms of your city and surroundings. I am very pleased to hear of the great number of Catholic institutions in this archdiocese, the Mother Church of Australia. It speaks very highly of the zeal of the Archbishops and clergy, as well as of the generosity and piety of its people. The Holy Father’s Message, This royal reception is directed, not to me personally, but to him whom I have the honor to represent among you, to our beloved Pontiff, Benedict XV. In his name 1 thank you all. When he learns that you have honored his representative so highly, he will rejoice in the midst of his many sorrows. My Lord Archbishops and Bishops, a new page begins to-day in the annals Of the Church in Australasia. May it be but a continuation of the glorious pages already inscribed bv you and your predecessors, and particularly by his Eminence the late Cardinal Moran. May God bless you all, this country, and its people. This is the message I bring to you from our Holy Father, Benedict XV. After the conclusion of the ceremony the procession of prelates left the sanctuary, and passed down the aisle, his Excellency blessing the kneeling congregation, the choir singing the ‘ Hallelujah Chorus.’