HIS GRACE ARCHBISHOP KELLY FAREWELLED

New Zealand Tablet, 4 March 1920, Page 17

HIS GRACE ARCHBISHOP KELLY FAREWELLED

SYDNEY’S AFFECTIONATE TRIBUTE TO HER VENERABLE PRELATE. St. Mary’s Cathedral was the scene of a wonderful demonstration on Friday evening last (says the Catholic Press of February 19), when a great gathering, representative of the laity of Sydney, assembled to bid farewell to his Grace the Archbishop of Sydney, on the eve of his departure for his ad limina visit to Rome. The Cathedral and its grounds were beautifully illuminated for the occasion, and from 7 o’clock till 8"o’clock the Cathedral bells were continuously chimed. Such a huge and enthusiastic crowd has seldom been witnessed before in the historic mother-church of Australia. It was, indeed, a striking and eloquent tribute to the great affection anti esteem in which the venerable Archbishop is held by his people. His Grace the Archbishop entered the Cathedral at 8 o’clock, and immediately the great gathering rose, en masse. With his Grace on the sanctuary were their Lordships Dr. Shiel (Bishop of Rockhampton), Right Rev. Dr. Heavey (Bishop of Cooktown), Right Rev. Dr. W. Hayden (Bishop of Wilcannia-Forbes), and a largo gathering of the clergy. ~ The Hon. John Lane Mullins, M.L.C., in presenting his Grace with an illuminated address, said that the laity took the occasion of his Grace’s departure on a visit to the See of St. Peter to show their affection and regard for him. They were presenting him with a motor car, which would be awaiting him on his return, and with a portrait in oils, by a distinguished artist, which would take its place in the historic gallery of the Sydney archdiocese. This is a fitting tribute to their beloved Archbishop, who to-day celebrates his 70th birthday, and who to-morrow will leave, in discharge of an episcopal duty which takes him to Rome. It is fitting that such a ceremony as this should be held in the Cathedral itself, within the shadow of his Grace’s own throne. It is nearly 4r) years ago since an address was presented to the illustrious Archbishop Vaughan, on the eve of his departure for Rome. On two subsequent occasions, on the eve of the departure of the great Cardinal for Rome, and on his return, when he brought with him the Cardinal's Hat. St. Mary’s was the scene of great demonstrations of affection and esteem on behalf of the Catholic laity. There is another reason why this ceremony should be associated with St. Mary’s Cathedral. The extension beyond the limits of the present church is entirely due to the judgment and energy of his Grace. The crypt, which was built during the last couple of years, is an adjunct which was not contemplated in the plans of the distinguished Mr. Wardell, who designed the building. “We are here to offer our most sincere congratulations to the Archbishop on attaining his 70th birthday, and we further wish him very many happy returns of this present anniversary. On going’ to Pome, to present Ins humble duty to the Pope, his Grace will convey our good wishes, and the good wishes of all Australians, to the very worthy prelate, Archbishop Cerretti, who rendered signal services to the Church in Australia, and who by his charm of manner endeared himself to all of us, and whose memory

is very fresh in Australia. I have to thank their Lordships for being present' to-night, and assisting us in the honor which we- pay to his Grace. I have, likewise, to thank the members of the clergy and the distinguished ecclesiastics who, under ' the guidance of his Grace the Archbishop, may be said to bo the men behind the gun who have also done us the honor to be present this evening, and to assist in the ceremony. ”■ The Archbishop’s Reply. His Grace spoke as follows:-“I receive your address with consolation and thanksgiving—thanksgiving to God, consolation in my own soul. The gifts mentioned are intensified in their value by the feeling of reverence and affection for your Archbishop. You do not look at the person. You look at my office. You regard the Pope as the successor of St. Peter. You know that SS. Peter and Paul have found their resting-place, as to their mortal remains,, which shall yet be glorified in heaven, in the city of Rome. You revere the memories of the saintly Dr. Polding, who reigned over the See of Sydney from 1831 to 1878; Dr. Vaughan, who reigned from the latter year to 1884: and his Eminence Cardinal Moran, who was your pastor for 27 years. When _ a student, visiting in our evening walks the Basilica of St. Peter, I often heard the name of John Bede, Archbishop of Sydney. Frequently I met Cardinal Moran in Rome. What they did I am going to do. You recognise that this is one of the manifestations of the presence "of Christ, Who is the Son of God, in the Catholic Church. Universality must have a centre if it is to be one. It can have universality of compounds, of atoms, but one organisation which fills the world; if it must have a centre —a centre of authority, authority in jurisdiction, authority in teaching, authority in governing. That spirit is in our souls. “Separated from the Pope, 1 would be as a branch cut off from a tree. United to the Pope, I and you are branches of the mystic vine of Jesus Christ. That which grew from the mustard seed has become a great tree, and spreads its branches over the universe, so that all nations come and rest in its branches. Just as birds gather around a great tree and find repose in its branches, so we from Sydney and his Lordship from Rockhampton, and bis Lordship from Wilcannia-Forbes, and the other Bishops of Australia, like all the other Bishops of the world, the western continent, Europe, Asia, Australasia, and Oceanica, the whole world, are doing, and do periodically, what we are doing in this year of grace 1920. And you rejoice. This is the thing to be appreciated. “Are we less devoted to Australia because of our devotion to Catholicity? No! On the contrary, the love of our heart for everything worthy living on earth, the love of the parent for the child, the love of the child for the parent, the love of the citizen for country is sanctified, is rendered divine by our devotion to Our Lord Jesus Christ, and through the graces which we receive in Holy Church. It is heaven that is our true country. Australia existed before we came. When we are gone, Australia will still go on in her development. God grant it will be a happy development. Then the soul goes to the judgment seat to its reward. We are citizens of this world, and especially of Australia and Sydney. But, above this, we are citizens of heaven. There is a throne and crown prepared for every one of us in heaven, and

whereas we were all going astray as sheep . without a pastor, God Himself, our Creator, cam© down. He- showed the way to heaven by His own living example and teaching. We, dared die for Australia, and we honored .-God by it, and we died as Christians. Thousands and thousands of our boys have so died, and so sanctified themselves. We will yet meet them in their heavenly glory. “But are we not separated from our fellow-citizens Put away absurdity. I am speaking to the press now, and I would speak to every soul in Sydney. Put away the absurdity that anyone who loves our Lord. Jesus Christ, Who died for mankind, can even think unfavorably of his fellow-men, much less judge and condemn them. Christ says that you must believe, and you must be baptised. We ! must preach His doctrine, but we do not apply the judgment. We believe in the sincerity of all, and in civic matters we have the right hand of friendship and co-operation for our fellow-citizens in every good work. I would protest before God that there is not a living soul in Sydney, no matter what religious denomination he may profess, let it be the old Jewish religion, or some modern development of the religious revolt of the 16th century, in whom I do not have an interest. I have an interest in them all because of my priesthood, because I am the servant of Jesus Christ for the salvation of souls and the happiness and peace of every soul in this world. God forbid that a thought of judgment or condemning anyone would be in my mind and heart. “Will these absurdities ever he repudiated Yes, in many individuals, but they will still hold root, and people born outside the Catholic Church will be reared up in an atmosphere of distrust and fear concerning us. So unreasonable is this spirit of mistrust and fear that w-hen people are converted to Catholicism and look back at their opinions of the Catholic religion, previous to their conversion, they shudder. In the words of Cardinal Newman himself, ho shuddered when he looked back at his non-Catholic days at the condition in which he was then living. They penalise the Catholic parents. In man establishments Catholics are ostracised and put down. So was our Lord. By these trials we make ourselves more sure of heaven. Wo are separated from the world. Our ambition is not wealth and worldly or animal pleasure. Our ambition is love of God and the kingdom of heaven, and during this life, fidelity to Jesus Christ, obedience and love for our Holy Mother the Church. “Now, see how false the world is. If I, as Bishop, bless the conscripts and recruits, and visit Liverpool Camp, and encourage the men to train themselves in the use of arms, and be strong men in defence of the liberties of their country, they say, ‘Oh, yes; that is right.’ and I am congratulated. If 1 say that if Germany "was wrong in persecuting Belgium and trampling on the Belgians lights, the English Government is wrong in trampling on Irish liberties and Irish rights, what will they say to me then? ‘No priest in politics; keep to the sanctuary.’ I might leave the sanctuary and I would be invited to go to Martin Place on the platform. 1 can hardly ’ conceive the possibility of standing for conscription. The law of conscription is a just law when brought in justly. But in a country that is free, that is doTng its duty amply by voluntary effort, who would preach conscription? If you did you would be in big letters in the daily press, and for the time being Cabinet Ministers and others would call you public benefactors. I am doing them greater service when I tell them the truth. Before God, mankind is equal; nations are equal. force can never he sanctioned as right, and when force keeps right down it is iniquitous, and when that force pretends to stand for liberty elsewhere if is hypocritical It is not excusable. And I say that not as a ' politician! but as one who believes in the Ten Commandments of God, who believes in justice and duty, and who believes in national peace. Peace has no other foundation but justice and liberty under the law of God. ,} am no ' v ‘0 years of age.” continued his Grace “twelve years ago I went to Borne, representing the Cardinal, and as it was just as easy to go round the world as go to Rome and back again. I went right round. Someone told me the other day I had death in my face for three or four years. If I go to Ireland it will not be for making speeches. I will visit the "raves of my father and mother. I will go to stroll along the old shady walks I knew in old days. The hands of the Bishops in Ireland are full now. They are crying out that the military regime should be put an end to asT soon as possible. “The soldiers are quartered there. They have all the appliances of war there. We hear in the papers just what suits the other side. The Irish Bishops speak out sometimes. Let us pray that the voice of the Irish Bishops

will be heard, especially by the Government, and that when Igo home I may have a real Irish Parliament.to go to in College Green. What is to hinder it? 'lf New South Wales has its Parliament in. Macquarie Street, why should not Ireland have its own Parliament? She goes back for centuries and centuries, and the English used to go to school in Ireland. “May God keep you all safely and happily. Do not have any mixed marriages while I am away. If a good Catholic young man cannot suit himself among our good Catholic girls with a partner for life, let him say to his intended, ‘first learn what Catholics believe. If you do not believe, then pray to God for faith,’ and then he will convert this person, and there will be no mixed marriage. Let Catholic parents do the same.” In conclusion, his Grace imparted his blessing to the congregation, which then dispersed. After the ceremony in the Cathedral, his Grace moved about the throng in the grounds adjoining the presbytery, meeting and personally receiving the salutations of his devoted people.

On Saturday afternoon, a large gathering of the clergy and laity assembled on the P. and 0. Company’s wharf, Circular Quay, to bid their last farewells to Archbishop Kelly, who left by the Indarra at 4 o’clock that day. His Grace, in company with their Lordships Drs. Heavey and Shiel, and Mgr. Coonan, leaned over the railings of the vessel and smilingly acknowledged the enthusiastic cheers of the people. At last the gangways were withdrawn, the huge liner slowly and majestically moved into midstream, and when last seen his Grace was waving his final adieux to the cheering throng on the wharf.