Right Rev. Dr. Liston's Arrival at Auckland

New Zealand Tablet, 30 December 1920, Page 21

Right Rev. Dr. Liston's Arrival at Auckland

Gorbial TKKelcome to the Coabjutot^Biabop V Z T

...... :■ - -t ■-■■■•■-& - " ■* '■■■■ ''■'- •-.•-■ ■!■■•■■' - :'• ;■■; . >;.{:-.';.,; Imposing Solemnities popular IRejoicings

(From our own correspondent.)

: .' A cordial welcome was tendered to his Lordship Dr. Liston, Coadjutor-Bishop of Auckland, on Thursday, December 23, at the Auckland railway station. The train being more than an hour late,. many people had to leave the station before the Bishop's arrival, but he was greeted . by a large and enthusiastic gathering, including his Lordship Bishop Cleary, -Right Rev. Monsignors Mahony, Gillan, and Hackett, the local clergy, and many prominent Catholic and non-Catholic citizens. -Hearty cheers were given for bis Lordship as he walked along the platform .to the Bishop's ' motor and was driven to the Bishop's Palace, Ponsonby. s"On Christmas Day his Lordship Dr. Liston Pontifica-.,-ted at Solemn High Mass in St.Patrick's Cathedral. His Lordship was assisted by the Rev. E. Lyons as deacon, Rev. D. Silk subdeacon," and Very Rev. Father W. Forde, Adm., master of ceremonies. * His Lordship Dr. Cleary presided and introduced Dr. Liston. Deacons of honor at the throne were Rev. A. Moynihan, CM. .(Malvern,; Victoria) and Rev. J. J. Bradley (St. -Patrick's Cathedral) His Lordship Dr. Liston officiated at Pontifical Vespers in "the evening. Rev. Fathers Lyons and Silk being deacon and subdeacon respectively, and Very Rev. Father Forde, Adm., master of ceremonies.. His Lordship Dr. Cleary presided and preached an appropriate discourse. * On. Sunday his Lordship Dr. Liston-officiated at an ordination ceremony in St. Patrick's Cathedral, when the Rev. E. Lyons, of Auckland, a former student of Holy Cross College, Mosgiel, and latterly of St. Patrick's Ecclesiastical College, Manly, Sydney, was raised to the priest- . hood. Very Rev. Father Forde was archdeacon, and Rev. ■ Father Bradley master of ceremonies.. The young priest was assisted by Rev. Father Silk. Very Rev. Dean Cahill (Parnell) and Rev. Father Moynihan, CM. (Malvern) were present in the sanctuary. The official reception to his Lordship Dr. Listen took place on Sunday evening. Members of the Hibernian Society, in regalia, lined up outside the Cathedral and formed a guard of honor to the Coadjutor-Bishop; and as the imposing ecclesiastical procession entered the Cathedral the full choir sang the "Laudate," Mr. Hubert Carter taking .the solo. The Holy Rofeary was recited byFather. Bradley, and at '/the conclusion of the devotions Miss E. Lynch< sang "Hear Ye, Israel": Mr. Dixon "Ye People Rend Your Hearts" ; Mr. Dobbs ''Sanctum et Terrible"; and the choir the anthem "Adeste Fideles." the various parts: being! taken by Mrs. White,. Miss Desilda. Messrs. Dixon and Vehables. Addresses were then read and . presented by the Right Rev. Mgr. Mahoney on be- . half of the clergy, from the laity, by Mr...Kalaugh'er, Catholic Federation by Very Rev. Dean- Cahill,' and from the Hibernian Society by Mr. M. J. Sheahan. The address from the clergy was as follows: To the Right Rev: James M. Liston, D.D., ..'-"_V..; * - ~. Bishop of Olympus, ' - „'•* "" V' : ; ;; Coadjutor-Bishop of Auckland. 'Z.^f'A ' , -May it please your Lordship, -.: f - ~t\ Representing the . whole of the clergy of .the diocese of Auckland, we extend- to your. Lordship a hearty wel- " | come to this, the scene of your future labors. With all pur hearts- we rejoice that the Holy See lias, in you, chosen one whom we consider to be-eminently qualified ~. for the position of Coadjutor to our beloved Bishop. Your

Lordship has brought to jour work in this diocese high mental attainments ; and qualities of heart, and. soul which will not alone win for you the respect and., affection of priests and people, but will also be : a- source of 'great moral and spiritual power for the -extension of the Kingdom of God among us. Even in 'your j college days, you manifested those signs of high promise which have; been so richly fulfilled in your later ears -The. marked esteem in which you were held, by your, superiors during the years of your ecclesiastical training, "was deservedly followed, even in the early days of your4priesthood, by the confidence reposed in you by the late saintly Bishop Verdon, of Dunedin, when he placed you in the .responsible position of Rector of the Provincial Ecclesiastical! Seminary of New Zealand. This important appointment, for- one ; -so young in years, wasrthe testimony of an experienced trainer of youth, to your abilities as" a scholar, - as. an administrator, and as a student and moulder of human character. ' These and .other valued attainments, ripened by" years of experience and study, you will now bring to. bear upon your still more exalted and onerous work as Coadjutor-Bishop of this large and rapidly progressing See of Auckland. In your ministrations among us, your Lordship may count upon the respect, the affection; and the 'cordial co-opera-tion of the clergy of this diocese. You do not come among us as a stranger; for no bishop bearing as you do, a divine commission as a shepherd of souls, can ever be a stranger to the hearts of a Catholic people. But your Lordship is united to us by other bonds that drew you nearer to "our hearts"'even before the happy day our* Chief Pastor on earth bound you in a closer union to this episcopal See. For the »consecrated- years of your priesthood have been as the col den pages of an open book to us;; you have been the skilled trainer and exemplar of a number of our clergy, the able exponent and defender of Catholic truth and Catholic interests in the press, , ...the friend or acquaintance of many of us, the esteemed and respected of us all. Wo bid you, thus, a double welcome. We ask you to feel that, in coming among us, you are coming among your very own. ' The doors of our hearts-', are thrown .wide to welcome you, and wq pray God-to give you length of - days brimful; of blessing; "May He give to -thee according to thy own heart, and confirm all thy : ; counsels.' (Psalm, xix.). —We remain, your. Lordship's - devoted ;"servants in Christ, on behalf of the Clergy of the' Diocese: of Auckland : William "FT. Mahoney, William G. Van Dyk. * '26/12/20. - ':. , ../ .. ,- - s3|2 "| ■.-Following.;.* was:.?'the address from the laity:—' vr" :■■ To the Right Rev. James M. Liston, D.D., s ;-|;; Bishop of Olympus, >■ _ . Coadjutor-Bishop of Auckland, tj, « *s~ ( On behalf of the Laity of the diocese of Auckland. '" '• : - It is our ..privilege to. extend" to your Lordship a very hearty welcome and to feel deeply grateful to his -Holiness Benedict XV. for haying' selected you ,as the recipient of the high-dignity .of' Coadjutor to our " dearly beloved Bishop. Your untiring energy and great zeal .for .the love of -God have been proved and recognised in 'the parish over which you presided for 16 years. Not only ? ' by members " of your own flock were you loved .and revered, but your readiness at all times to assist' in the cause of sympathy and charity gained for. you ; the well-dese'rved esteem of \ the whole community: Monuments of your work you have left behind

in 'the buildings you' have erected;*lmt who ican .estimate what golden treasures*' of > ; goodness you have left in the hearts of those who have come -under! your f holy influence? Year'; after year you have labored-sin ■■} the College «b?, Mosgiel arid sent out into the world young* Levites, upon whose brows, after patient years of prayer and study, have been placed the'triple" aureola 1 of priestly power, holiness : of life and learning. We ; are told that he '•■■ who writes a, sweet song/ which; lifts men's hearts to God, which kindles praise and devotion, which inspires joy and hope in sorrow and which gives new impulses to holy living, has done one of the noblest services which it is permitted ; to mortal to do on, this earth to his fellow-men. You, by''your deep learning, zeal and exceptional ability have succeeded in setting the name of God in clear light before ' men, ' so that its glory shall shine more widely arid its influence touch -more hearts and lives. Tims truly have you used the talents liestowed upon you by the Giver of all gifts and fulfilled the mission assigned to you by Divine*'Providence. Dunedin lays claim to you as the place. of your birth', but Auckland claims you* as a ; descendant of Ireland, that land of Saints, Martyrs, Bishops and Priests, a land with which : you have ever sympathised, loved, eulogised and with your pen defended. In this your new home and sphere of greater and more onerous duties, we. pray God to pour on you His en est blessings, so that for many years' you may here he His worthy representative and the Father of His people who humbly and fervently crave your Lordship's blessing. On their behalf and on our own we subscribe ourselves: Mary J. Mcllhone, .J. I*. Kalaugher, J. T. Fitzgerald. '"'■ ■' " PR. PISTON'S REPLY. The cordiality of your welcome goes right to my heart. I knew the clergy and people of Auckland would receive me kindly, but I could not have anticipated that they would have met a stranger, unknown and untried, with such warmth and affection. I gratefully accept the compliment you pay me, as a token of your esteem.for the sacred character of the episcopate; and as a." tribute .of your loyal devotion to "Our Holy Father Benedict XV.. to whose good will and not to'any merit of mine, this appointment is due in the ways of Divine Providence. I accept this welcome also, and with special gratification, in the further sense in which I conceive it to be offered, that is, as a pledge. of your devoted loyalty to your revered Chief Pastor, whose labors I have come to lighten. This is a moment of solemn interest to you and me, the painful sacrifice of- separation from the diocese and work and friends I loved and love so tenderly, is consummated. I confess that I. should have been glad to spend all my life in the work of training aspirants to the priesthood. I should have preferred to remain a soldier in the ranks than become a leader in the fight. I have often asked of God to be left in the gentle swell of the harbor, out of the swing of the sea and the rush of the storm. But seeing that He had destined me for higher responsibilities I am grateful to Him for sending me to work with priests, Brothers, nuns and people under his Lordship Dr. Cleary' I am sure we all thank the Giver of all good gifts For havmg kept our Bishop For his people in spite, of much sickness. All rejoice—l especially have reason to be gladthat he is yet able to rule us,'- to light our battles, and to lead us, as he has led you. happy people of Auckland for many years, to the riches, 'fields of Mis sacred kingdom. We all pray, I for one pray with a full heart, that God -may spare him as long. as it is good lor his people—surelv a long, long time— that the evening of his da\s on earth may be radiant with peace. Of old a Catholic bishop was called the Jhix Verb},] Captain of God's Sacred truth, the leader in the keen intellectual combat that goes on unceasingly, between the followers of Christ and the forces ignorance and error. The Bishop of Auckland well merits this title, for he has during. 23 vears fought the battles'of. our faith i from .'paper and platform with ability, power, energy, a.id success that recall the glories of. the. old episcopacy. He, has carried throughout New Zealand, for he belongs to no one place, the light and sweetness, the moulding influence, the glories and consolations of our holy religion. I am ready now like a dutiful soldier to aid and cheer this veteran of the Church's army Vour,..we.come. breathes encouragement, and- I sneak all sincerity , when ■ T -■ say-that ■* stand in need of all the sympathetic, help you can give me. I have no high ".rifts oi intellect or wisdom or eloquence or- character with which dev^7 e H y 7r- ; A " T ha , VP is " heart, that is determined to deiot 6| itself to your best interests. J 1 come with the prayer of Solomon i on my lips: "Lam but a child and know not how to go out. and how come in. I am in the midst or a people whom thou hast chosen, an immense people Give, therefore to .Thy servant an; understanding heart to judge Thy. people,.and.discern between good and evil " ' , But. much ; as J,feel .my unworthiness. I find many .reasons for abounding confidence. First, I have a living faith m the- vitality Church. She never dies She

lives in the 'world' in good report and evil, in honor and dishonor, ;in 'sbr row ■ r arid iJ joy, ■in humiliation and triumph: J; ever courageous and confident, pursuing her way, fulfilling 2 her 'mission of 'truth arid mercy and ( ace. V The; fortune of the battle ; may ; at times' seem r ' doubtful,: but j the issue can never be doubtful." Storms may blow; hut in [God's own time the blustering' wind drops, and the furious sea calms. I know she is strong and beautiful as when she first came from the hands of the Maker. lam sure oL, see the veil being lifted with which ignorance and passion have so long hidden her divine countenance in-this country, and I am confident that the world must again kneel at her feet and ask to be forgiven and taught. . With, all their -pride, in their religion of irreligion, * men, outside the Church are torn by great misgivings, and are sick , with . spiritual longings, half revealed and half concealed: they know they have drifted and want to come back. Let us. favored children of faith, hasten their return by work and prayer. We must pray, but we must also work for them. Our feet must wear the steps of our Divine Friend's house, but they must also carry us to the homes and into the lives of these other brothers of t Christ. Our countrymen are dying of spiritual 1 starvation. We must Seek them out, know them, love them, labor, for their conversion, deliver to them the message of our Saviour, speak, it in language that will reach their minds and hearts; speak it from the platform ; "compel them to come in." Next, T find strength when I recall and see for myself the work: that has to lie done, the ground that lias been gained by bishops, priests, and people. ' It is no exaggeration to say that 'the Church in New Zealand . has been a fruitful mother of heroes. When we look back at the' men and women who hurried here from their own sweet homes and dear countries chiefly from Ireland, but also from France, Holland, England, and Scotlandwe may justly claim that not often in the long and wide story of the Church has the world seen devotion to duty., so absolute and intelligent. I should need the brush of an angel to paint, the picture for you: the incense of prayer ascending to the Creator from the hear us of priests, Brothers, , nuns, reflected back upon this world of sin and sorrow in rich streams of heavenly Tavois; burning charity, Christ-like in ardor; all the virtues of the Gospel alive in. sweetest and fullest bloom. The. details of the picture :. the daily works of Christian mercy, the comfort poured into bruised hearts, the ""rescuing; of the weak, the absolution of the', sinner, the education of the young. The details of the picture: the daily lives and homes of our Catholic peoplesolid piety religious education of - children, edifying deaths, - the glorious traditions and virtues of Irish faith planted deep ami strong in the grateful hearts of young New Zealand. Thanks to the bishops, priests, Brothers, nuns, and people who have lived and labored here down to this day, the foundations of religion have been laid .wide and deep; massive and enduring is the structure raised; graceful and strong are the pillars and adornments. We recall with grateful memory that these treasures have come from the Giver of good gifts, for the most part ...through the generous faith of ihe Trish exiles who have made their home here and have built \up the Church irk this country, as in so many others. It is our proud boast that the spirit of our Mother, the Irish Church, has passed to us, her children. We, the last comers, must see to it that this inheritance of faith shall be transmitted "not only unimpaired, but in increased honor and usefulness.! No doubt it will put on characteristics of its own as time goes by, and the Church in New Zealand is able to supply out of' its own resources more priests and religious teachers; but we can never forget our Mother and all Ave owe her. Gteat issues are at 1 stake these days for God and; souls, for Church and State. The world is awake to new ideas, and Catholic, laymen feel that they stand in. the light of a new and prophetic dawn. A new spirit is being breathed into them ; they are growing in the realisation of their rights and even % more of their responsibilities, and are in ; happily increasing numbers assuming with cheerfulness the duties of zeal and charity which these responsibilities impost'. They recognise that the Church has been too often, is still too often one-handed in her mighty struggle against' the powers of evil; they feel it is not fair to • leave the busy, wayward world with its sins and its follies, its miseries and its ignorance, its dooms and its destinies, its false friends,-,. noisy patriots, and scheeming /politicians; and so. as becomes educated and loyal sons, -they are offering themselves to-the Church—their talents, energies, and personal service her onerous mission' to men. ;ij ... Catholic instinct is a. good guide .to ,- these workers for rf the work to bo done for God and country falls on the laity as .welt as on the priest. -God does His part ; and ! never fails; but He leaves us, priests and laity, > much to do. He appoints each one of us ; a vicar, of Jesus Christ, to labor with mind ■ and heart j arid hand for the welfare, spiritual a rid temporal, of our ; fellows; that ■ commission we «are. free to accept or refuse. If we take our place in the

ranks of "the army, the work will be done; if we stand * down, -it'- will remain, unfinished.- The/. Church will- sur- - vive 3 our neglect; but its comparative success depends on its i: members. 'TV can be made or, marred, by the 'words, the T deeds, and the manners of , its soldiers. It possesses : an inexhaustible U /fouirbajin of ; .spiritual lenergy for the J world's : regeneration; but if . this energy, is to flow over ; the earth and pour . its divine healing into the sick and hungering souls of men, it can only be through God-like men; priests and. laity. .On us, therefore, it .depends whether the sacred * ark of salvation shall ride in safety, bearing the most'priceless of treasures—our faith and all its gifts on : the • ever rising waters of modern Democracy. It is ours to prove that the Church holds the key of the '■> problems with which men are confronted, as no human ■; power, however imposing, does; that with her and through her alone the world's best hopes and noblest ambitions, may be realised. It is in our 'power to make, this fair country the grateful and devoted child of the Church. That is what we have to work for. Come up, then, I call to you with all the warmth of my soul, come up from the ~ Catacombs and step bravely into the arena, priest and laymen. This is no time for apologising for ourselves or our religion. Fear no foe, turn aside from no danger, strike . at every enemy. "Civil society," wrote Leo XIII., "no less than religious is imperilled; it is the sacred, duty of every right-minded" man to be up in the defence of both the one and the other." The Catholic Church alone conies down from Christ through all the centuries to bring to men 'His message of justice and charity. At the present moment it is more important than ever that this message be placed before the world in all it-s strength and clearness. I could not begin my work in Auckland without- touching'upon the education question. That question is not yet settled and will remain unsettled until the rights of God, of the parent, and of the child are fully vindicated. Let me state the Catholic position once more, so that all may see how just are. our claims. . We claim that in a national system of education, all citizens should stand on the same ground before the law; that no single citizen should be penalised on account of his religion. We insist that if the' Government niay tax all citizens lor purposes of education, then all have a right to share in the beneficial use of such taxation, without having disabilities' and restrictions and penalties placed upon their religion.' We say' that because they, are equal in all things to their fellow-countrymen as sharing all the principles and burdens of the same land. Catholic parents have a strict right to have their children educated in the: schools of the country in conformity with their religious convictions. We claim therefore Catholic schools, staffed with Caholic teachers," with effective Catholic oversight in matters of religious teaching and influence. We ask for these. schools only where it is feasible. That is what we want and what we are determined to have"at all costs. We have the schools: we want justice for them. But that is not all. We ask nothing impossible or unreasonable; we look for nothing that has not been granted years ago in England, and now, at the request of the Education authoriies themselves, in Scotland. Once a true Christian education is secured to our children in the school and out of the taxes we ourselves pay, we are ready to fall in with .whatever arrangements" authority may provide. - These claims of ours for simple, justice have so far been disregarded and our appeals for consideration set aside. But let no man imagine that a final settlement has been reached, or that Catholics are content to bear this wrong in silence. If our Catholic schools are kept going by the truly heroic "sacrifices of priests, teachers, and people, that is ho excuse for perpetuating an act of tyranny. Nor can we ourselves-look on quietly and make no effort to secure the recognition of our reasonable demands. We must urge our claims unceasingly and unflinchingly. Many of our fellow-countrymen already share our views ami with these we must combine. Others are opposed to us largely from sheer. ignorance and prejudice; these we must eriHghten. I have'sufficient confidence in the fairness of New Zealanders to hope that they will in the end do us justice. But- that depends on ourselves. We 'will get nothing for the-asking. Wo must fie determined at all haz-' ards and at all costs to fight for our schools and put our case before our. countrymen. . No public cause worth the winning is ever?, won without a . fierce struggle. No just cause—and ours .is overwhelmingly just—is ever lost for 'which even a minority of earnest men will fight. I hopeto do all I cam to help you' in fighting for this righteous cause. If we are but true to'God and to ourselves, we must and > shall succeed. u ? I thank you once again, dear priests and people, for the most kind -manner in which you have received me into this diocese. The warmth of your welcome proves to me that I am building my future work on the gracious affection of my Bishop, -the brotherly friendliness of my fellow'workers in the sacred' ministry, and the loyal co-operation.

?-* »--'lk\'. -/fvX <]'-.•-. '.■■■■.•'■•'. '".■."■•.."• ;•" ■•',■■'- ■'".- 'y J'■:.-'■'-.■■'■&&>';■■ -r-" of a big-hearted -people. What more could ..any , man ; desire ? I trust ; I shall ever keep your sympathy •• and your; devotion,. and in time I hope also: to win your affection. •i ! ' May the Divine Child Jesus • really develop, iin us ':,■ by, the - intercession, o protection' ■,£ and '■ example of His \ ■ ■ ever Blessed Mother, :who has preserved and strengthened the unspeakable gift of our faith until this day. May St. Patrick, the apostle vof the Irish race, the patron of this Cathedral and ' Diocese, bless" us all ; and make us walk faithfully and courageously in our high calling.;.. .-". ''■'."..'": PONTIFICAL BENEDICTION OF .THE BLESSED ■' '.. ; : ' ;; 'SACRAMENT. -,.. w At the cbWiision. of his : Lordship Dr. Liston's disburse, Mrs. ..White sang the "Ave Maris Stella," and Mr. Hubert, Carter the "Ciijus Animam," from Rossini's "Stabat Mater.. Pontifical Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was then given by the Coadjutor-Bishop, assisted by Rev. bathers Silk and Lyons as deacon and subdeacon, respectively ; Very Rev. Father Forde being master of ceremonies. The e |;o Salutaris" was sung by Mr. Venables, and Miss Coleman rendered the solo in the "Tantum Ergo" • !Vi? n , • ( '} U "Z, the Te Delll -" In conclusion Handel's Halleluiah ; Chorus" was splendidly given by the choir. Mr. Leo Whittaker conducted and Mr. G. Ingleby Allen presided at the organ. - The Cathedral was crowded, the congregation numbering over 1600. " "'■ A garden party and reception will be tendered to the Bishop m the grounds of the Sacred Heart College, 'Richmond Road, Ponsonby, on Thursday, December 30, at 3 p m