Death of Right Rev Br. Vidal, S.M., Bishop of Fiji

New Zealand Tablet, 27 April 1922, Page 31

Death of Right Rev Br. Vidal, S.M., Bishop of Fiji

After a glorious and most fruitful missionary life in the Islands of the Pacific, the revered Bishop of Fiji, the Right Rev'. Dr. Julien Vidal, S.AL, D.D., passed peacefully away in his cathedral parish during the week, at the advanced age of 76 years (says the Italic Press for April G). The sad news was received on Saturday at St. Patrick’s Presbytery, Church Hill, by the Rev. Father Courtais, S.M. (Procurator of Marist Missions in Oceanica). The late Dr. Vidal was born at Rodez, France, in 1846, and was ordained a priest in 1871. lie arrived in Samoa from France early in 1871, and remained there for 16 years, engaged in missionary work. He was appointed to the Bishopric of Fiji in 1887, which he held right up to the time of his death, a period of 35 years. Dr. Vidal travelled extensively in the Islands, and also visited Rome and France several times. He started the mission in. the British Solomon Islands in 1898, and was also responsible for the erection at Suva of the cathedral, which is considered one of the finest buildings in Fiji from an architectural point of view, It is built of Pyrmont stone. Bishop Vidal was actively interested in the Lepers’ Hospital at Makongai, Fiji. The Right Rev. Dr. C. J. Nicolas, S.M., D.D., who was consecrated Coadjutor-Bishop of Fiji, with the right of succession, by the Papal Delegate (Archbishop Cattaneo), at Villa Maria, Hunter’s Hill, on February 2, 1919, will succeed Dr. Vidal as Bishop of Fiji. Dr. Nicolas, the new Bishop, was the parish priest of Suva for a number of years. Prior to being appointed CoadjutorBishop of Fiji, he was for eight years Provincial of the Marist Order in Oceanica, with headquarters at Villa Maria, Hunter’s Hill. His Lordship Or. Nicolas has been absent from Fiji for nearly two years, and only left Sydney last week on his return there, after visiting the late Pope Benedict XV.R.I.P.

Death of Father Burke, C.SS.R.

English files announce the death at Clapham, on January 19, of the well-known Redemptorist, Father John Burke. lie was born in Manchester in the year 1846, so that he had already attained the age of 75. He was educated at Ushaw College, until his ordination, which took place in 18<0. During his college course he graduated B.A. at London University. After receiving the Holy Order of priesthood, he proceeded to take up parochial work in the Salford diocese. After a term at Clapham, he was sent as visitor 4to Australia, and in the following year formed one of the first band of Redemptorists sent to begin a foundation at Pretoria, in the Transvaal. ( There, as in Australia, ho spent seven years in unwearied missionary labors (which were extended to New Zealand). Ho was recalled to England in 1919, and spent his last three years occupied with the ministry in the pulpit and confessional at St. Alary’s, Clapham. The golden jubilee of his priesthood was celebrated in the presence of the Bishop of Southwark. —R.I.P.