PASTORAL BY BISHOP CRIMES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1371, 23 February 1912, Page 6

PASTORAL BY BISHOP CRIMES.

CHURCH IN CHRISTCHURCH DIOCESE. The chief subject dealt with in th« •Lenton Pastoral addressed by the RomnD Catholic Bishop of Christchurch (Dr. Grimes) to the clergy and laity of tho diocese of Christchurch, is the canticle and prophesy in. the first chapter of bt. Luke. His Lordship, in eloquent language, impresses on his flock theliign, importance of devotion to the Virgin ' The pastoral concludes as follows:— "A few Hiontlis ago one of the handsomest churches in our diocese, and, m the whole Dominion, was solemnly blessed and opened in. the parish of rmiaru. It was truly a red letter day for the district "to seo our venerable Metropolitan, thoir Lordships the Bishops of Dunodin mid Auckland, enhancing by then- presence nud eloquence the grandeur of the stately functions. Most cordially do we coneratudate the devoted pastor of that model parish his zealous assistant priests, and faithful poople for their piety and generosity in erecting so noble an edifice to the glory of the Most High. In the middle] of December we had the consolation to bless and open a'.beautiful .church at New Brighton, and shortly before a 'sm«.U, but snitablo ono, at the Hinds, in tho parish of Ashburton. Thanks to the zeal and devotedness of Dean Carew and the Sisters of Mercy, Groymouth, a new church and school have l>cen erected m one of tho outlying districts of that important parish. The lato Mrs.. A. J. White has left us a substantial sum towards the erection of a church in Sumner. Tho plans havo been prepared,, and we hope verv shortly to lay the foundation of what will 1)0 ono of the most beautiful churches in the diocese. Tl!o Sisters ol tho Good Shepherd at Mount Magdala. are erecting a large and most handsome temple to bo used for an oratory in tho midst of their grounds. It.will bo a magnificent structure, second to none in Jscw Zealand. Theso devoted nuns have, with the whole of our diocese, experienced an, irreparablo loss in the death of our lato' Vicar-General, Dean Ginaty. The npblo. work so heroically done by the Good' Shepherd nuns und the Sisters of Nazareth calls for our continual grateful admiration and practical sympathy. "During the courso of the past year, whilst making our usual visitation in Canterbury, we made a iwrsonal appeal in all tho churches in behalf of tho cathedral debt. Wo are deeply grateful to tho priests nud communities and _ faithful, who, by their generous co-operation, helped us to lossen this burden. Last year tho cathedral debt stood at a little over .£IO,OOO. You will bo glad to know that it is now reduced to JEBGOO. "On May 13, in the year 1887, the Holy Seo erected Christchurch into a- separate diocese, appointing Us, in. spite of our unworthiness, to bo its first bishop. Hence, this year is tho jubilee of, the diocese. In view of this great event, our Holy Father the Pope has been graciously pleased to hoMiir us by naming us as one of the assist, bishops at his Pontifical Throne. Wo. appreciate tho honour as one conferred on the diocese, far more than upon ourselves. May wo not ask your fervent prayors that the blessings of heaven may bo more abundantly showered down upon all confined .to our episcopal charge during this year of jubilee?"