Commonwealth Notes

New Zealand Tablet, 8 December 1921, Page 30

Commonwealth Notes

NEW SOUTH WALES. : V Very Rev., Dr, M. J.'O’Reilly, C.M., the Australian delegate to the Irish Race Convention to be held in Paris, was given an enthusiastic “bon Voyage” on Tuesday at noon at the Orient Wharf, Sydney (says the Freeman‘s Journal, for November 17). The Orvieto, by which steamer Dr. O’Reilly is a passenger, had its full complement of passengers. The scene on the wharf was quite inspiriting. Included in the gathering-to wish the delegate the best of voyages were the Right Rev. Mgr. O’Haran, who motored Dr. O’Reilly to the wharf, and a number of the clergy. The Catholic and National societies were well representedthe Self-Determination League by the treasurer, Mr. J. Donovan the Irish National Association by the president, Mr. John Sheehy; and the Catholic Federation by Mr. P. S. Cleary (N.S.W. delegate to the Paris Convention); the A.H.C. Guild by Mr. Burke (G.S.); the I.N. Foresters’ Society-by Messrs. S. McCormack (P.H. 0.R.), T. E. Avery (G.S.), R. Colbourne (P.H.C.R.). In addition, there were a number of students from St. John’s College, in charge of Rev. Father Sheehy (Vice-Rector), and representatives from the women’s branch of the I.N. Association. As the steamer drew into the stream “God Save Ireland” was sung, as well as “The Wearing of the Green,” and lusty cheers were -given for Dr. O’Reilly, de Valera, the Irish Republic, and Archbishop Mannix. Prior to his departure for Europe the Very Rev. Dr. O’Reilly was entertained at dinner by the students of St. John’s College, within the University. The Carlton was the sevene of the happy little function. Conspicous among the artistic table decorations were the ’Varsity colors and ’ those of the college. Mr. McMahon (house president) acted as host on behalf of his fellow-students, and amongst the diners were noticed Dr. Schlink (house patron), and a number of other prominent citizens. Mr. Flynn, in proposing the health of Dr. O’Reilly, eulogised the great ivork performed by the latter at St. John’s College. The transformation effected by him could be properly realised only by those who were connected with the college before the advent of the present Rector. The college stands to-day a monument to the untiring labors of Dr. O’Reilly. The Rector, in reply, said that no work gave him greater pleasure than that of laying the foundations of a Catholic University in Australia, and promised that on his return to Sydney he would complete the building of the college according to the original plans. Other toasts were proposed by Dr. Schlink and Mr. Breslin. An enjoyable musical programme was rendered by M. de Monchaux and Mr. Guinane. The executive of the Catholic Returned Soldiers and Sailors’ Association and the Catholic chaplains entertained the Very Rev. Dr. M. J. O’Reilly, C.M., at a farewell dinner at Paris House on Monday night. Mr. H. Sullivan, who proposed the guest’s health, referred to Dr, O’Reilly as the greatest democrat in Australia. The toast was seconded by Mr. Peter Gallagher (treasurer) and supported-by Mr.'F. J. Cahill (secretary). The latter handed to Dr. O’Reilly, for presentation to the Cardinal-Archbishop of Paris, a letter from the association, thanking the French Catholic people for their kindness to Australian soldiers during the war, and asking for some relic of the battlefields, such as a Calvary, in order to beautify and give a deeper feeling to the Diggers’ memorial in St. Mary’s Cathedral. On a recent Sunday his Grace the Archbishop fulfilled his promised visit to St. Michael’s Syrian Melchite Catholic Church at Waterlooa visit to which the congregation had looked forward for some time. In accordance with- his love of punctuality, his Grace arrived a few minutes before the appointed time, 10 o’clock, and was received at the church gates by Archimandrite Sylvanos Mansour and Rev. Sophroriios Khoury, vested in their Byzanthy robes, and accompanied by the cross-bearer and" two acolytes. The Greek, hymn, “Irmos,” a hymn in honor of an Archbishop of the Church, was solemnly chanted during the procession to the sanctuary by Rev. S. Khoury and Mr. A. S. Malouf. Rev. Sylvanos Mansour addressed the Archbishop on behalf of the congregation, and, speaking from the simplicity of his heart;' said that he felt on this day a very great man, and more than happy, in being able to welcome his Grace. He and all his flock appreciated more than he was able to express in *

,v V* ' n - ■ ■ .■ ■ • 7 '■ English the kindly goodwill of the Archbishop, as shown by his beginning his long day of many engagements with this visit to St. Michael’s. Rev. Father S. Khoury then delivered an. address of welcome. • The Archbishop then preached a most sympathetic sermon. His Grace reminded his hearers that though they had different ceremonies, and celebrated the Holy • Sacrifice in a different language, still they all professed the one Holy Catholic Faith. The three great pillars of the Orient Church, said his Grace, arc St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory Theologosj and St. John Chrysostom. . After an exhortation to live as faithful Catholics and dutiful citizens, the Archbishop recited in English the Credo and the Lord’s Prayer, and then followed with great interest all the impressive ritual of the Melchite Mass. There was a crowded congregation; an unusual feature, as his Grace remarked, was that there were Iwice as many men as women.

VICTORIA. Discussing the Irish situation 'at a gathering at Bendigo, recently (says a the Advocate, Melbourne), Dr. Mannix said he hoped that the present conference in England would lead to a lasting peace for Ireland, and one that would be just and honorable on the part of the British Empire. It was, he considered, a very hopeful sign, that Mr. Llyod George had not started for America, for he knew he could do little good there until he had settled the Irish question. He was glad that Mr, Lloyd George was remaining in England, as there was urgent work for him to do there. If Mr. Lloyd George was to go to Washington, he wanted him to go with clean hands, and until he could go with clean hands there was more pressing work for him to do at home. The so-called Ulster Parliament was not an Ulster Parliament at all, for it merely represented a little section, and he hoped that, now Mr. Lloyd George was beginning to recognise that, he would continue to interest himself in the matter. Had Mr. Lloyd George been a statesman and not a politician, he would never have set up that Parliament in Ulster, It was hard to forgive him for his action in that direction, for, in setting up that Parliament, he did so merely to please a small minority. Ireland had been told that she could : not get Home Rule, or Dominion Home Rule, because there was a certain minority in one portion of Ulster; yet the Government set up a Parliament in Ulster with an Orange majority which it was careful x to provide. What was sauce for the goose should be sauce for the gander. It was, as ho had said, hard to forgive Mr. Lloyd George, but if peace was established for a United Ireland they would try to forgive and forget, if only in the end they could get justice. That was what they were looking for. As far as the British Empire was concerned, he had no enmity towards it as an Empire. He supposed it was as good as any of the rest, and perhaps better than ..some of them, but he protested when an endeavor was made to trample x on his own people. He hoped to be able to extend'the hand of friendship to England and the whole of the British people, but that would only be when they had done justice to Ireland. There were no people in the whole world to-day more united than the Irish. He asked his hearers not to believe those who said the people of Ireland were murderers and assassins. The people who had been called murderers and assassins were to-day considered good enough to come over to England and discuss relations between the two countries. He did not believe the person who called a man an assassin one day and took tea with him the next. He only wished that those who called names to de Valera and his friends had half as much religion and morality as they had. When the trouble was over, he hoped Ireland would have secured the power to shape her own destiny. That was all she wanted. In conclusion, Archbishop Mannix said he believed the prospects of a just and lasting peace for Ireland were very hopeful.. As long as that prospect remained he trusted and prayed that their hopes might be realised. (Applause.)