THE RIGHT REVEREND DR. VERDON: OBSEQUIES AND FUNERAL: TRIBUTES OF RESPECT

New Zealand Tablet, 28 November 1918, Page 27

THE RIGHT REVEREND DR. VERDON: OBSEQUIES AND FUNERAL: TRIBUTES OF RESPECT

We learned soon after the late Bishop’s death that a Solemn High Mass for the repose of his soul was to be held in St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Wednesday morning. Later the news came that permission had been obtained to convey the body to Dunedin for burial, and the Catholic people of the city were gratified to know that their beloved Bishop was to sleep amongst them, side by side with his great predecessor, Dr. Moran. As soon as the news of Dr. Verdon’s death became public wires and cables began to arrive from all parts of Australasia tendering the condolences of the Catholic bishops, priests, and people who held our late Bishop in such high esteem. The Apostolic Delegate was one of the first to cable. The following sympathetic message reached the Administrator, Father Coffey; Deeply grieved news Bishop Yerdon’s death. Sympathise with clergy and people loss of venerable and distinguished prelate. Unite with you in prayer for his eternal repose. Apostolic Delegate.

The Archbishop of Sydney, an old friend of our late Bishop’s, and one-' who had followed in his footsteps in Rome, cabled : - Clergy, people, and Archbishop of Sydney join in condolence -with brethren of Dunedin. Intend* to hold special Requiem in Cathedral on next Wednesday. Union in suffrages. Archbishop Kelly. , His Lordship the Bishop of Auckland, who as editor of the Tablet , worked for many years under Dr. Verdon, wired: Please express to clergy and laity my deep condolence on death of venerable Bishop. Bishop Cleary. The following messages were also received: Deepest sympathy and condolence on death of beloved and venerated Bishop. Archbishop Spence. Deepest sympathy death good Bishop. Regards. Archbishop Clune. Regret Joes dear friend and master. Bishop Dwyer. 1 heard with deepest regret of the death of Bishop Verdon, and I tender to you and those associated with you my deepest sympathy in the great loss suffered both by yourselves and 'the late Bishop’s flock. J. vjr , Ward. Deepest sympathy from self and community on death of Bishop . D. Kennedy, S.M. Father Paul Cullen, Provincial of the Vincentian Fathers in Australia, a cousin of Dr. Verdon’s, and like him a nephew of Cardinal Cullen’s, cabled: Deeply regret loss and offer warmest sympathy. Father Cullen. Monsignor McKenna wired Deepest sympathy Bishop’s death. Monsignor Mahoney telegraphed ; Sincere sympathy with diocese at Bishop’s death. From Dean Holley, Provincial of the Marist Fathers, the message came: Marist Fathers convey deepest sympathy to bereaved diocese on loss of Bishop and patron and founder of Holy Cross Seminary. From Dean Regnault ; Marist Fathers, Christchurch, send deepest sympathy Administrator and diocese. Exceedingly sorry unable attend funeral personally. Father Seymour and self laid up in Lewisham Hospital. From Monsignor llackett: Sincere sympathy death of Bishop. From Dean Darby, an old pupil of the Bishop’s in Manly, and one of the last to see him before his illness : In the death of Bishop Verdon cleric and laic in New Zealand and wherever the English tongue is spoken will see the termination of a life full of years and good works for God, crowned by eminent personal sanctity. Wires of condolence were also received from Father Quinn, Grey mouth; Father Eccleton, Reefton ; Father O’Dea, Omakau ; Father O’Neill, Win-ton; from the Christchurch Diocesan Council of the Catholic Federation, etc. Fathers Kavauagh O’Neill, Corcoran, and others sent messages of condolence and expressed their regret at not being able to attend the obsequies. On Tuesday the heavy, coffin of lead containing his Lordship’s remains was. laid out in state in the Cathedral, and during the day the faithful came and went continuously, offering their prayers to God for the happy repose of the soul of ; their Bishop and father. LYING IN state. On. Tuesday evenhig during the Lying in State of the remains of the late Bishop in St. Joseph’s Cathedral, his Lordship Bishop Brodie presided at Matins, a number of the clergy, already arrived, assisting.