THE LATE BISHOP VERDON.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16423, 17 January 1919, Page 4

THE LATE BISHOP VERDON.

OBSERVANCE OF MONTH'S MIND. AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIAL. The Month's Min<l 01 the late Bishop Vordon was mo>i imnrosively solemn* ised in -Sr. Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin, on "Wednesday (says the "Otago Daily Times''). Representatives of the Hierarchy of New Zealand present were: —His Grace Archbishop O'Shca, S.M. ("Wellington), JTis Lordship Bishop Ck-arv (Auckland), aiiu his Lordship Bishop Rrodie (C'lirisU-liujch). Representing the clergy of the Archdiocese of "Wellington and the other three dio-co-es were: —Wellington—Kigla Rev. M« r ilcKenria. V.Ci.; Very Rev. Dean Hollev, S.M. (Provincial), Very Uev. P. Whelan C.SS.R. (Superior), Fathers Smyth,'s.M., T. Gilbert, c>.M., M.A., Daly. J. OX'onn'or, 5.31., and B. Ryan, S VI '• Auckland—rather Buckley; Christeliurch —Very Rev. Deans Regnault S.M.. O'Donncll, ajid Hyhuid, Rev Dr. Kennedy, Adm., Fathers C. Graham, S.M., 31.A., J. Haurahan, Peoples, S.M., and O'Lcnry, S.M.; Dunedin —Vorv Rev. J. Coffey (Dioce<=aii \dministrator). Right Rov. Mgr. Mackav, Verv Rev. Dean Burke, Fathers J. O'Neill. Hunt. O'Donncll, ATurnhv IV O'Neill, 3[eMullan, James Lvnch, ' O'Dea, Howard, Delany, O'Reiily, John Lynch, P. J. o'N<;']J, Bucklev, Corcoran, Listen, D. 0 Neiu, Kavanngh, 3lorkane, Farthing, Collins, Foley, " Kaveney. Graham. Ardagh, Rootiev and Spillane. Commencing at 9 a.m. the Solemn Office of Requiem ! was sung, the chanters being Fathers Li'-ton and O'Reilly. Pontifical Requiem Mass followed, Right Rev. Dr. Clean* Bishop of Auckland being celebrant; Right Rev. 31 sjr. McKennn, V 0.. "Wellington, assistant priest : Rov. Dr. Kennedy. Adm., Christchurch, dea«jn; Rev. C. Morkanc. Holy Cress College, Mosgicl. sub-deacon: and Father Buckley, Dunedin, master of ceremonies. The incidental music was splendidly given by St. Joseph's Cathedral Choir, assisted by the clergy and students of Holy Cross College. Mr A. Vail is presided at the organ, and at. the conclusion of the solemnities played the "Dead March" from '-Saul. The cathedral and sanctuary were draped in mourning. From tho text, "Know ye not that a prince and a groat man has fallen this day in Israel?" ('2 Kings, iii.. 38). his (Jrace Archbishop O'Slum dolivcrecl a pamwrie. T.n the course of his remarks he said tho Royal David mourned the death of Abuor, a valiant leader of tho house of Israel, who had been treacherously slain by Joab, one ot David's own captains; and, though the circumstances of their mourning were far different, how true it was that a prince and a great man had fallen m tho Church of God. This southern diocose of Dunedin had been widowed tor the eec-ond time in its history, and the valiant prince who for the past 2_ years ruled it with gentleness, prudence, and dignity, had laid aside .lor ever tho cares and responsibilities oi office. He wished to pay a tribute to the saintly prelate, whom he had know n and revered ever since lie came to N<v* Zealand. He was a link between ti c past and the present. He bad lived iii his younger days. in. a world that "- far different from ours. Ho had lived t.hrouah times that were slirung one. both for the -Church and for nat> I land He had known and mixed witl manv of tho men who had made th historv of those days. And during al the vears had acciuired not only a inn of knowledge and .ecclesiastical s=>ence, but also a wonderful experience of men and affairs. And thus he broU t0 bear on all things not only a clear, well-informed mind, but a judjtment matured by long and varied cxgenence Thi.s in later years, when lie w as r^ f to tho Episcopate.- made him a towei ot strength to tlio Hierarchy of Ne* Zealand, who found bis advice and counsel of the greatest lieln m settling eve T difficulty, and in dealing. situation which arose durin^^ 10 20 vears. His taking away was thei e fore, a distinct loss to them and to whole Now* Zealand Church. And the work he did m liis *orese was here to speak foi itself. Dr Verdon assumed the reins of government in Dunedin he succecded one of" the most fearless and <5» el £ et *° bishops that lias ever ruled in these southern lands. The late Bishop Moran had laid well and truly the foundations of-the young dioecse. He had lived m troublous times, and when the seculai svstem of education was introduced into the colony he quickly saw its dangers and took a prominent part m eomUtin it as far as Catholics were concerned, and in establishing that splendid sjatcm of Catholic schools that were to-day their hone and their pride throughout the length and breadth ot the land. The new bishop was altogether dificrent iu character and disposition ironi his predecessor. His • nature was not suck as would prompt him to go out into the arena and give as well as take baia. blows. He loved quiet and peace iiuv none tho less he continued Dr. Moran s educational programme, aim one of lus first' acts -was to strengthen the ranks of the teaching nuns of the dioc-esc by introducing th© S'stcrs of Mercy. tN Jtii steadv persistence lie saw that new parochial schools were opened wherever they "were needed. And in this work or providing primary education on Christian lines he was entirely successful. Nor did he forget to provide for the poor and the unfortunate, especially for the little ones, of his flock. A splendid orphanage was ercctcd in South Dunedin, and hundreds of children have passed from its sheltering walls to become useful citizens and good Catholics. Then the aged poor found him solicitous for their temnoral and spiritual welfare, and he introduced, some years ago the world-famed Little Sisters of the Poor, who have now such a. splendid, flourishing home at Anderson's Bay. The orphans and poor of the dioecse he looked upon as the special charge of the bjshop.' and well and nobly did he provide for them. , " He loved the solemn liturgical ceremonial of Holy Church, and none could carrv it out with more dignity or becomingness than the late "bishop. His glorious voice in the Church s chant and his thorough knowledge of . the ceremonies made a very great impression upon all who witnessed any Pontihcal function in which he took part. And he loved those ceremonies not because or any personal liking for display. Tor we all* know that nothing could have been further from - his thoughts, but becauso of the tremendous things that they enshrined. Nothing, to his mind, could be too grand or too magnificent either in music or ceremony for the House of God and the worship of the Almighty. These things, however, were but t he externals of Catholicism, and if the bishop was faithful to them he was none the less faithfuPto tho essential things which are not surrounded by pomp and circumstance. The sacred, tribunal of penance is on© of these essentials,. tfiat> sits in secret and. in quiet, far removed! from all display. And your bishop week after week used to attend there for long hours at -a time. God alone knows the amount of good he did in the confessional. Think if you can of these who came in their numbers to lay their load-of. sin and sorrow at liis feet and who Tvent away comforted. You. his own people, know this far better than. I, and for this reason alone his memory will be long held in benediction amongst you. Of his private life and constant union with God who should, dare speak? He loved retirement, and he shunned notoriety. In the years to come holy and learned and distinguished bishops will no doubt rule over this southern diocese, bat no inyic lovable .lieure will ever

S f ,f n"is concluding a most impressive ceremonial.