Commonwealth Notes

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 32, 16 August 1923, Page 35

Commonwealth Notes

NEW SOUTH WALES.

The Visitor of the Jesuit Order in Australia, the Very Rev. W. Power, S.J., was (says the Freeman's Journal for August 2) obliged to interrupt the visitation in Sydney and return to America in order to prepare for his trip to Rome to be present at the General Congregation of the Society of Jesus, to which he has been summoned as a representative of his American province of the Society.

A party of over 50 friends of the Divine Word Fathers journeyed to the Epping Monastery the other Sunday to honor his Lordship the Right Rev. Dr. Francis Wolf, S.V.D., the first Bishop to be appointed to the newlyraised Vicariate Apostolic of Eastern New Guinea, formerly known as the Prefecture Apostolic of Northern New Guinea. His Lordship was introduced individually to all present, and after refreshments had been partaken of, delivered a long and very interesting address to the visitors. After expressing his unbounded delight and gratitude to those who had come so great a distance in such large numbers to meet him, Bishop Wolf related some of his experiences as a missionary for over 17 years, in Togoland, on the West Coast of Africa, amongst the negroes, stating that at present a native priest is now laboring very zealously amongst his own kith and kin. The Vicariate to which Dr. Wolf has been appointed is situated in about the remotest corner of the Australian Commonwealth, for a steamer from the mainland only arrives once in every six weeks at the port of Madang. Covering an area of about 460,000 square miles, the population numbers about half a million natives. Founded in 1896 by three priests and three Brothers, the Society of the Divine Word now has 47 stations, 21 Tegular priests, 19 Brothers, 34 nuns, 25 catechists, 55 schools with 3119 pupils, one orphanage, and one hospital. Since 1910, five Fathers, three Brothers, and .12 Sisters belonging to the mission have died. The head station is at Doilon, near Madang, for which a cathedral is now being planned. The principal difficulty is the variety of languages. However, all instructions are given in the native tongue, which differs in almost every village. A leper settlement was at one time proposed, but owing to the deep superstition of the natives, who have an easier way of disposing of these crippled and afflicted creatures, this work failed. All the natives belong to the Papuan race, but along the coast are found a few Malays and Chinese. In 1913 the first interior missions were established on the Sepik River, some being founded at a distance of two days inland. For these journeys the mission possesses the fine steamer Gabriel, which was brought from Hong Kong. In 1915 Right Rev. Evrad Limbrock, S.V.D., Prefect Apostolic, resigned, Father Andrew Puff, S.V.D., succeeding as Administrator, who will in turn hand the administration over to the Bishop on his arrival in the middle of August.

On Friday last (says the Catholic Press for August 2), Most Rev. Patrick Murray, Superior-General of the Redemptorists, accompanied by Rev. Father Cotter, C.SS.R., and Very Rev. Father E. Gleeson, C.SS.R., dined with his Grace the Archbishop at St. Mary's "Cathedral Presbytery. In the afternoon Father Murray and Father Cotter took their departure by steamer to New Zealand, where Father Murray will make canonical visitation of the Redemptorist house. From New Zealand the travellers will pass to Canada on the same errand.

What Catholic was afraid of the Ne Terns-re decree? — asked the Archbishop of Sydney at Kogarah the other Sunday. Catholics understood it. It was what the father or mother would say to their daughter or son about to marry. Once married, they were free no longer until death separated them. Therefore they should not marry rashly. Out of Heaven what was more desirable than a happy family, and out of hell there was nothing like an unhappy family. The Church knew that without the fear and love of .God there would be a coveting of men's wives, perhaps followed by means to bring about death. Marriage was a contract, and the Ne Tcmere decree was against rash marriages, which were something to be dreaded, just like hidden marriage. It would not do if there were any

opening for bigamy. The State recognised marriage in secular matters, just as the Church did in a spiritual way, but was not concerned with marriages outside its fold, and obeyed God before man* A VICTORIA. The Right Rev, Dr. R.- Ryan, C.M., who was consecrated Bishop of Geraldton on Sunday, the 29th ult., has hardly been 16 years a priest (says the Freeman’s Journal). It is not often that a mitre comes so early. One of the gifts to be presented to the proposed memorial chapel at Xavier College, Kew, is a gold chalice of beautiful design and exquisite workmanship. It weighs 1/oz, is eight inches high, and was made from old jewellery collected in Melbourne and Sydney. Engraved upon the base is the inscription, “Xavier College, 1923.” The following letter has been received by his Grace Archbishop Mannix from his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate : 40 Edward Street, North Sydney, N.S.W, 18th July, 1923. My Lord Archbishop,l take the liberty of sending you, as my personal gift to Corpus Christi College, the complete collection of the Ada Apostolicae Sedis, together with the Code of Canon Law (15 volumes). _ As lon g as I remain in Australia as Apostolic Delegate, it is my intention to provide for the college, at the end of each year, - the forthcoming volumes of the same collection. It is a small thing in itself, but with this I desire to express my deep appreciation of, and affection for, the new institution, from which we all expect such great blessings for the Church in Australia, With every kind wish, I remain, yours sincerely in Christ, B. CATTANEO, Apostolic Delegate.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Archbishop Spence, O.Pof Adelaide, has justi published the 24th report on the liabilities of his archdiocese. Speaking of the progress made during the past year, his Grace writes? During the year the following buildings were erected and acquired: Brighton church, Hamley Bridge church, Kadina presbytery, Riberton presbytery, Kingswood presbytery. Goodwood presbytery (additions), Balaklava convent. The following works were commenced, and are now in the course • of election: Cathedral additions, Salisbury church (renovations), Edithburgh church, Yorketown presbytery, Calaroga hall, North Adelaide. New land was purchased at n Alberton, Rosewater, North Adelaide, Prospect, Thebarton. In addition, convents were erected by the Sisters of Mercy at Parkside and Henley Beach, and extensive additions were made to Angas Street convent, St. Dominic’s Priory, North Adelaide, and the Home for the Aged, Glen Osmond. The total reduction >of debt for the year amounted to £/643. The total indebtedness of the archdiocese at March 31 last was Old liabilities, £2585 8s 9d; new liabilities, £52,729 4s 3d (55,314 13s), being a nett increase of £8374 4s lid for the year, which increase, of course, is due to new buildings. Since March 31, 1895, the total amount i raised amounts to £1,003,771 9s 4d, and the total amount expended £1,002,117 8s lOd.” Of the Cathedral, his Grace says: “The contract for the additions to St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral was signed on March 9 last, and the contract price was £46,455 11s 6d. We had £8948 11s 8d in hand before beginning the work.”

—— Self-control, self-confidence, courtesy, a mind eager to know and understand, and a resolute but well-disciplined will play an important part in the building of a strong personality.