Catholic World

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLIX, Issue 20, 18 May 1922, Page 39

Catholic World

IRISH GIFT TO THE POPE. The Holy Father received in private audience on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day the Marquis MacSwiney, of Mashanaglass, who presented him with a fine collection of works on Irish history and archaeology offered by the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, the Royal Irish Academy, and various authors. His Holiness was very pleased with the presentation, and ordered it to be placed in the Vatican Library, which will thus have the finest collection of Irish works in Italy, His Holiness warmly thanked the marquis, begging him to convey his thanks to all contributors. POPE’S MESSAGE*TO CATHOLIC WOMEN. The President of the English Catholic Women’s League has just received from Rome the following message through the lion, organising secretary, Miss Balfe, who has been granted a private audience by his Holiness Pius XI: “His Holiness gives Apostolic Benediction most cordially to the Catholic Women’s League of Great Britain and to all members of the C.W.L. and their families.” The first post-war Conference of Catholic Women’s Leagues will be held in Rome from May 18 to 24. There are now 38 leagues in the International Union, representing 19 nationalities. A large attendance is expected. The Holy Father will nominate his representative, who will be present at all the sessions. Miss Streeter and Miss Margaret Fletcher will attend as members of the International Bureau elected in 1913, and the English C.W.L. will be represented by Lady Sykes, Mrs. Taylor, and a member of the Roman branch as official delegates. Other members (says the London Catholic Times ) may possibly be present a titre consultative. FAMOUS CHURCH BURNED. A telegram to a London exchange dated Quebec, March 29, says: The Basilica of St. Anne do Beaupre has been destroyed by fire. The cathedral was famous for its shrine. The statue of St. Anne, with historic relics, to which miraculous cures arc ascribed, has been saved. The flames started in the sacristy, from which they spread to the monastery, afterwards attacking the roof of the basilica. Father Bruneau and others risked their lives in carrying precious relics and the statue of St. Anno from the burning building. In an incredibly short time the towers, 60ft high, comprising the facade of the building, crashed to the ground. ■>. * The monastery officials estimate the damage at $1,200,000 (nominally £250,000). The outbreak is believed to bo due to the fusing of electric wires. The only building saved is the old chapel where the shrine was'originally housed, and whither the statue has been removed, pending the rebuilding of the basilica. OXFORD TO THE POPE. Pope’Pius XI is (says Catholic News Service.) the first of the long lino of Roman Pontiffs, reaching back to Apostolic days, who studied in the University of Oxford, and in the world-famous Bodleian Library, and to commemorate this unique event the curators and officials of the Bodleian are presenting an address to the Pope, congratulating his Holiness on his accession to the Chair of Peter. The address of congratulation to the Pope is composed in Latin by one of the first Latin scholars of the university. The text is being beautifully inscribed by hand on vellum, and will be bound in a rich silk covering. This is the first time in the centuries-old history of the Bodleian that a distinction of this kind has been bestowed on one of • the frequenters of the library. Although Pius XI is the first of his name and dignity to make use of Oxford for purposes of study, his Holiness was preceded some centuries ago in Oxford by the famous Cardinal Aeneas Sylvius Piccolomini, who later became .Pius 11.

BOLSHEVISTS TO ADMIT CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES. An important change of mind on the part of the Bolshevist rulers of Russia is reported in the Russian paper the lioul. According to this journal, information has been received from a very trustworthy source, which states that after prolonged negotiations with the Vatican, the Soviet Government has agreed to authorise Catholic missionaries to take up their abode in Russia, and to open up missions. Under the pre-revolution arrangeme.nts, which remain unaltered up to the present, the whole of the Russian Empire formed the ecclesiastical territory of the Catholic Archbishop of Mohilev, who had as one of his suffragans the Polish Bishop, Mgr. Cieplak, stationed in Pctrograd. SiCrSNN'NNN'v’N ■ MANCHESTER GREETS THE POPE. Some twenty years or so ago the present Pope, then simple Dr. Ratti, made a visit to the city of Manchester. In memory of that visit the Bishop of Salford and the Catholic citizens have sent to the Pope a letter of loyalty and congratulation. The Pope has replied, through the Secretary of State (Cardinal Gasparri), and in thanking the Bishop and ' citizens of Manchester, his Holiness recalls the gracious courtesy that made his visit to Manchester so agreeable. The letter imparts the Papal Benediction. NEW ARCHBISHOP FOR MILAN. Pope Pius XI has appointed Mgr. Eugene Tosi (Bishop of Andria) as his successor in the Archbishopric of Milan. The new Archbishop is a Milanese, and was born at Busto Arvizio. After serving for several years as Vicar-General of the Diocese of Rimini, Mgr. Tosi was appointed Bishop of Squillacc. In 1917 the late Pope appointed him to the Bishopric of Andria—a diocese which is celebrated in ecclesiastical annals on account of the miracle of St. Epina. ST. JOAN OF ARC IS SECOND PATRON OF FRANCE. A Papal Brief of Pins XI has been published in Paris, according to which the Pope declares St. Joan of Arc, to be the second Patron of France, ranking after the Blessed Virgin. • ' The Brief, which is a colorful ecclesiastical document overflowing with historical allusions? of the greatest interest, narrates how. the late Pope had intended to proclaim St. Joan as the second Patron of France, shortly before his death. ’ “We declare” says Pius XI in tin l Papal document, “in the plenitude of our Apostolic Power, and confirm that the Virgin Mother of God, under the title of her Assumption into Heaven, has been chosen as the principal Patron of all France, after God. . . And, We declare with the greatest joy and ordain the Illustrious Maid of Orleans . . . the secondary Patron of France, and once again, by Our Supreme Apostolic authority,- concede equally all honors and privileges which accord with the title of second Patron.” - ■ <*><> . Very Rev. Dean Lane Honored A pleasant little function, which took the form of a banquet (writes a correspondent) was held in the Judgeford schoolroom recently, with the object of tendering a farewell to Very Rev. Dean Lane, of Lower Hutt, on his relinquishing pastoral charge of that portion of the former parish. A number of the residents of Pahautanui, which district is now comprised within the new parish of Johnsonville, assembled for the occasion; Rev. Father Griffin, of Johnsonville,' being also present/ Musical and vocal items were contributed, am] ' several speeches were made eulogistic of the devoted zeal exercised by the Dean during the lengthy period (37 years) .of his pastorate. During the evening an illuminated address conveying the people’s regret at their revered ' pastor’s severance from them, and expressive of their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation of the many self-sacrificing services rendered them by the Dean, often under the most strenuous conditions. “Your genial and sympathetic nature has won for you the esteem and admiration of non-Catholics, as well as of Catholics” was the concluding tribute paid, in the address, which was read by Mr. O. Abbott, and its presentation was accompanied by’that of a well-filled' wallet.