NEW GAT HOLD PRESBYTERY

Evening Star, Issue 21743, 11 June 1934, Page 2

NEW GAT HOLD PRESBYTERY

COKSECRATSOH CEREMONY ;Id the presence of a very large gathering, Bishop: BrPdie (Christchurch), consecrated and -.declared open the new Roman Catholic Presbytery, at North-east Valley., Monsignor Delany presided, and associated with him on the platform were Bishop Brodie, the Deputy Mayor (Cr J. J. Marlow), Mr J. W. Mimro, M.P., the architect (Mr J. Woods), the contractors (Messrs Loan and Watson), the parish priest (Father Buckley), and several of the clergy. Monsignor Delany introduced the bishop, and apologised for the absence of Bishop Whyte. Father Collins made a telling appeal to the residents of North-east Valley to assist Father Buckley in wiping off the debt incurred in erecting the new and handsome building. He remarked that people could contract the habit of contributing generously and that another occasion to give would present itself . that day fortnight, when Dr Brodie would lay the foundation stone of the new church and school at Forbury. Father Buckley digressed from the day’s event to congratulate Monsignor Delany on his new title of Domestic Prelate of the Papal Household, remarking that this honour from the Pope was equivalent to a knighthood from, the Sovereign. He then thanked Bishop Brodie for his kindness in consenting to be present, and dwelt on the financial position of the parish, informing his hearers that there was a debt of £1,532 11s, with assets of £464 Is lOd. These assets were independent of the returns of the recent sale of work, which would be published in a few weeks’ time. These returns, with the contribution received that day, would considerably lessen the financial burden. Cr Marlow spoke briefly and congratulated the parish priest and parishioners. Mr Munro expressed surprise that Catholics should launch on a debt of such a nature in such difficult times, and he often wondered how Catholics managed to have the knack of raising money so successfully. He spoke of the depression and the Church’s relation to it, saying that if people put into prac-» tice the principles taught them by the church complaints of depression wquld soon cease to bo heard.

Mr Loan aud Air Woods also spoke. Bishop Brodie, who was received with applause, said he wished first of all to endorse Father Buckley’s congratulations to ' Monsignor JDelany. Bishop Whyte had asked him before leaving for Europe to be present, but apart from the bishop’s request he was only too pleacsd to be present for Father Buckley’s sake. He spoke on the meaning of a presbytery, and then remarked that from what he was going to say one would think that he and Mr JUimro. had previously discussed the depression. • He agreed with Mr Munro that Christian principles put into action would solve the present depression. It was aivful to think that another war—with all its horrors—was the only solution for unemployment. Should another war occur money would be found to fight it. Why not employ that same money to relieve the present distress ? Christian : principles that should be put into action by one and all were the love of God and the love of one’s neighbour. These were the principles that would bring back the world to normal healthy conditions and save the people from that other alternative that some would seem to approve—a war far more hideous apd frightful than any that had yet been known. He congratulated Father Buckley and the parishoners on their endeavour and hoped Father Buckley would long enjoy the comforts of the new presbytery-