SPIRITUAL REALITIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1928, Page 8

SPIRITUAL REALITIES.

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS. BISHOP LISTON RETURNS. NEW RELIGIOUS ERA OPENED. “What impressed me most,” said Bishop Liston, of Auckland, who returned by the Aorangi to-day from attending the Eucharistic Congress, “was the cordiality generally of the people of all denominations, including the Premier of New South Wales, Mr. Bavin, who is a New Zealander. Added to this was, of course, the wonderful enthusiasm of our own people. The congress was well organised, probably much better than the Chicago Congress, while all the signs of fervour equalled those at Chicago. The respectful attitude of the huge concourse of people as the procession passed through the human lane of thousands it is Impossible to exaggerate. “The attitude of the Premier did a lot to mould public opinion, and his address at St. Mary’s Cathedral was, in the opinion of many, an outstanding event of the congress. Mr. Bavin must have felt completely justified when he witnessed afterwards the attitude of the citizens of Sydney. “While it is quite true that a good deal of emphasis is placed on business and amusement in the Commonwealth,” continued Bishop Liston, “an event such as the Eucharistic Congress shows that much importance is attached to spiritual realities, and this, of course, gives hope for the future. The cordiality and tolerance shown augu> well for the development of frichdly feelings amongst all classes, and the Church authorities agreed with the statement of Mr. Bavin that the congress opened a new era in the religious history of Australia.”

Bishop Liston mentioned that attending the congress were 1000 pilgrims from New Zealand, in addition to five bishops and 35 priests. It was felt that this was quite a large representation considering the distance to be travelled and the expense. Amongst the delegates from abroad who are returning by the Aorangi are Bishop O’Donnell, of Victoria, British Columbia, Bishop Alencastre, of Honolulu, and Don Javier Irastorza, Bishop of Madrid. The latter represented the King of Spain, and brought to the conference a letter and a gift from his Majesty. »