DEATH OF MONSIGNOR MAHONEY

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 22, 17 June 1925, Page 29

DEATH OF MONSIGNOR MAHONEY

The Right Rev. Mgr. Mahoney, pastor of Onehunga, one of the most widely esteemed Churchmen of the diocese of Auckland, passed away at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital ( n Monday, the Bth inst. The death of Mgr. Mahoney is deeply lamented by his parishioners, and cast quite a gloom over the town of Onehunga. The Mayor, referring in feeling terms to the sad event at the last meeting of the Borough Council, said Mgr. Mahoney had always taken a keen interest in the spiritual and material welfare .of the borough, and was held in the highest esteem by all sections of the community. He was looked upon as one of Oiiehunga's most respected citizens, and his familiar figure will ; be greatly missed from the district. A vote i of condolence : with the relatives, of the de- • ceased Monsignor was carried in silence, all , presnt standing. ... The late Monsignor Wil- • Ham Henry Mahoney was born ,in Auckland • 68 years ago, and the first native-born New -. Zealander ordained priest. From the Church * in New Zealand:) Memoirs of the Early .Days, {. published in. 1910, we extract the following * record of his career: —"He was born at Auck--1 land in October, 1857, and educated-by; the

SOLEMN OBSEQUIES AT ONEHUNGA. (From our Auckland correspondent.)

Sisters of Mercy and at the Catholic boys' schools in Auckland. In February, 1876, after a short classical course in Auckland, and upon the recommendation of the Most I Rev. Dr. Croke, Archbishop of Cashel, who was translated a few years previously from Auckland, Father Ma honey went to Tliurles, where the Archbishop resided, in order to study for the priesthood. While there Dr. Croke took a great interest in his young protege, whom he . had confirmed in Auckland, and of whom he held a high opinion. His health failing him after a. few years, the young student went to St. Omer (France) to read his course of philosophy, but finding the climate of northern France rather trying he eventually went to St. Mary's College; Oscott, near Birmingham', where the venerable Bishop Ullathorne, so well known iii" Australia, then' resided. Here Father Mahoney finished his course after having received Minor Orders a few years before at Ramsgate from . Dr."; Luck, just then consecrated Bishop of Auckland, arid upon the same occasion that BishopLenihan was ' ordained priest. On April 12, 1884, Father Mahoney'w as raised ;to the priesthood jby

Dr. Ilsley, the present Bishop of Birmingham. After touring through Europe in company with his elder brother;. Mr. Thomas Mahoney, he returned to New Zealand in October, 1884, and was sent by Bishop Luck as assistant for a short time to Monsignor Paul at Onehunga. In June, 1885, he was appointed to the charge of the district embracing the whole of the north of Auckland from the North Shore to the North Capo, ■with the exception of the Kaipara, Wairoa, and Hokianga,. and having his headquarters at the German settlement of Puhoi. Here Father Mahoney, remained for nearly fifteen years, with the exception of about ten months iii 1891, when he accompanied. Bishop. Luck to Europe, and, together with his younger brother, Mr. Robert Mahoney, he made a tour of the East, staying for a short time in Egypt, the Holy Land, Greece, Turkey, and Asia Minor. In 1896 he made another visit to Europe with his sister, visiting South America an route , and also South Africa on his return. In 1899 Father Mahoney went to the Thames for two years, taking the place of Monsignor O’Reilly, who had been appointed by Bishop Lenihan to St. Patrick’s, Auckland, during the absence of the latter . from the diocese. It was upon his departure from the Thames that Father Mahoney health broke down, and, his medical adviser recom men ding a change l and rest, he proceeded to .Europe again in 1901,. living for the ensuing three and a half years in Italy, France, and Germany, and after a short '

course of travel in Canada and the United States he returned to hi s old mission at Puhoi. Upon the death of Monsignor Paul in March, 1905, he was appointed by Bishop Lenihan as irremovable rector of Onehunga.” In 1915 he was created Domestic Prelate by Hie Pope, and held the office of Vicar-General () f the diocese of Auckland until failing health compelled his retirement, Pontifical Requiem Mass .for the repose of Hie sold of the late Monsignor was celebrated by his Lordship the Right Rev. Dr. Cleary, at the Church of the Assumption, Onehunga, (>1 Wednesday, the 10th inst. Mgr. Cahill, 1-G., "as assistant priest; Very Rev. Dean Van Dijk, deacon; Rev. Father Hunt, subdeacon; and Very Rev. Archdeacon Hoibrook, master of ceremonies. His Lordship Lr. Liston and a large number of priests Hem all over the diocese were present. A choir of the clergy rendered the solemn music (: * Hie Requiem most impressively. Amongst those present in addition to the relatives of Hie deceased, were the Vlayer of Onehunga (Mt- J. E. Cowell), Town Clerk (Mr. H. A. Cockney)/ and members of the Borough Council, Mr. W. J. Jordan, ALP. for Maim-. bin, Dr. M. G. Scott and Canon Haselden, b*te Vicar-of St, Peter Anglican Church at Onehunga, the Rev. D. 1). Scott (Preshytot ran), and the Rev. I). J. Cook (MethodUt) ministers. Iho absolutions at the cataLxlque upon which rested the deceaseds p,lalloe and biretta were given by Dr. Liston. Fhe coffi,v uns borne to the grave by repre-

sentatives of the Onehunga and Puhoi parishes, amongst whom the Monsignor’s life was spent; a guard of honor lined the path to the grave. The Hibernian Society and* 1 Children of Mary took part. The church was thronged with an overflowing congregation, amongst whom were representatives of the various Orders of nuns, the Provincial of the Marist Brothers (Brother Denis), the Director of the Sacred Heart College (Brother Borgia, 8.A.) and representative Catholics from the city and suburbs. Dr. Liston officiated at the graveside.— l.P.