OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 14, 12 October 1943, Page 6

OBITUARY

Rt. Rev. M. J. Brodie CATHOLIC BISHOP OF CHRISTCHURCH

The Kt. Bev. Matthew Joseph Brodie, Catholic Bishop of the diocese of Christchurch since 1915, and the first New Zealander to be raised to the episcopate, has died, aged 72, after several months’ illness. He was in- the forty-seventh year of his priesthood and in his twenty-eighth year as a bishop. As Monsignor Brodie he was appointed Bishop of Christchurcdi by Pope Benedict XV in December, 1915, succeeding the late Bishop J. J- Grimes, S.M.. who had also governed the diocese for 28 years, and was its first bishop. Bishop Brodie was consecrated tn the Cathedral of the Blessed bacrament, Christchurch, by the first Apostolic Heldgate to New Zealand, the late Cardina Cerretti, assisted by the late Archbishop Redwood aud the late Bishop Cleary. Mrs. Brodie was the first to receive the episcopal blessing of her son. Bishop Brodie was born tn Coromandel Hauraki Gulf, he received, his first schooling there, continuing his education nt the Marist Brothers fechoo. Auckland, and later at St. Joseph s College, Sydney, where he was captain of the football team. He studied for the priesi,hood at St. Patrick’s. Seminary Manly. He was ordained by- Bishop Denihan, fifth Bishop of Auckland. 47 years ago. his first years as a priest being spent m St. Benedict’s parish, Auckland, then tn charge of the English Benedictine monks. Afterward he was appointed to the scattered district of Puhoi,,North Aucklanq, and later first parish priest at Waihi, then at the height of the gold-nnning boom. Next he was appointed administrator of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Auckland, and then parish priest of Parnell, the post he held when raised to the episcopate. As diocesan consultor, archdeacon and yicargeneral of the diocese of Auckland, fie gave valuable service in the administration of the diocese to Bishop Denihan and Cleary, which were recognized when he was named Domestic Prelate of the Pope in 1912.

A great love for New Zealand characterized Bishop Brodie. He never ceased to praise the happy social conditions of the people and the opportunities afforded to all He was ever instilling into Catholic people everywhere love for the land, the country’s greatest asset, and fie held up for the admiration and emulation of the people today the lives of the men and women of the early colonial days wno left such a rich inheritance. He lived daily his episcopal motto, In omnibus caritas” (‘‘Charity is Everything ). Bishop Brodie took great and enterprising interest in education, ana in charitable and social work. He founded the new College of St. Bede, at 1 apanui. Christchurch, and during his episcopacy, secondary schools were also established at Grey-mouth and Timaru. The silver jubilee of the episcopal consecration of Bishop Brodie was celebrated in 1911 when, in recognition of his great services to the church, the Pope made him a Bishop Assistant at the Papal Throne, a member of the Papal Household and a Papal Count. Preaching the occasional sermon at the Solemn Pontifical High Mass, his Grace, Archbishop . O’Shea, in these words reviewed briefly some of the headings under which progress had been made since Bishop Brodie took charge: “Many new parishes have been formedseveral new churches have been erected. The number of the clergy has • increased by off per cent. Religious Brothers have multiplied threefold. The nuns have increased by a third more. The number ot primary schools has shown a steady growth while the secondary schools and colleges have been either rebuilt or enlarged, considerably and improved. Then there are the hospitals, Magdalen and industrial homes, Nazareth House and orphanages, girls’ hostels and many new associations and activities. More convents have been established including a Carmel . ... ” , ~ ~ ... In 1922, Bishop Brodie paid his visit “ad limina” to Rome—at stated intervals bishops of the Catholic Church must do this —to pray or say mass at the tombs of the Apostles in the Eternal City, see the Pope and report on the Spiritual and material state of his diocese, visit the Cardinal Secretary of State and also see i the Cardinal Prefect of Propaganda, the Sacred Congregation which deals with the ecclesiastical affairs of New Zealand. The Wellington Catholic clergy will be represented at the funeral.. Among those who will attend are his Grace Archbishop O’Shea, Monsignor Connolly, Very Rev. Father Brennan, rector of St. Gerard’s Monastery, Father McGlynn, superior of St. Columban’s Mission, Dower Hutt, Very Rev. I<artier Geanev, provincial of Marist. lathers, Very Rev. Father B. Blake, S.M., rector of St. Patrick’s College, and Very Key. Father J. Kennedy. S.M., rector of St, Patrick’s Silverstream.

Mr. Henry Whyte The death occurred recently of MrHenry Whyte, Ngaio Koad, Kclburn. Born at Port Chalmers in lb in. Mr. Whyte joined the service of the Union Steam Ship Company in 18!)i, ani was appointed chief steward in IJU'served on many of the company s nrgest ships, including the Mararoa, Manuka. Warrimoo, Willoclira, Maunganui. Omarama, and Wahine, and remained with the Wahine for a number of years. In iJ-4 he was appointed local superintendentsteward at Wellington, and in 1936 was made providore superintendent at head office. He held that position till his retirement. He is survived by his wite. Lady Ward The death yesterday of Lady ■Ely lol ' Angela Ward, widow of Sir Cyril Ward and daughter-in-law of a former Prime Minister; the late Sir Joseph Ward, is reported in a Press Association telegram from Christchurch. Born ou Westbrook Station, Toowoomba, Queensland, in lbsu, Lady Ward married Sir Cyril Ward m December, 1908. After their marriage they lived in Invercargill, going to Christchurch in 1913.