RECEPTION OF BISHOP REDWOOD.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1782, 6 November 1879, Page 3

RECEPTION OF BISHOP REDWOOD.

The Right Rev. Dr, Redwood, Roman Catholic Bishop of Wellington, arrived at Christchurch yesterday afternoon by special train, at half-past five o’clock, his Lordship’s visit being for the purpose of dedicating the new organ lately built in the Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart, Barbadoes street. The event was anticipated, and there was at the hour named a large gathering at the railway station. The representatives of the church met tho Bishop at Lyttelton on his arrival by the a s. Wakatipu. On his arrival at the Christchurch terminus he was met by the parishioners in a body, represented by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Christian Doctrine Society, and the Young Men’s Catholic Association, also by the Hibernian Society, accompanied by their band and the regalia of their order. The children of the common schools, as well as the boys of St. Patrick’s school, together with the Children of Mary, and the Guard of Honor of the Sacred Heart, the two last composed of young ladies, also swelled the procession, which went up Manchester street, thence along St. Asaph street to the church. In the church and its grounds a number of triumphal arches were erected, commencing at tho gate, and bearing the following inscriptions :—“ Welcome,” “ Welcome Prince of the Church,” “ Cead Jdille failthe ,” “ Quam speciosi pedes evangelizantinm,’’ “ Benedietus qui venit in nomine Domini , ” “Bonus pastor animam suam dat pro ovibus suis,” “ Cognesco meas et sognoscunt me meet.’’ At the entrance to the church the procession passed through the ranks of the Guard of Honor of Sacred Heart, and the Children of Mary, and as the Bishop entered the church the choir sang Handel's Hallelujah chorus, the accompaniment being played on the new organ, which appeared to have a full, rich and powerful tone. His Lordship was accompanied by the Rev. Fathers Ginnety, Devoy, Ohervier, and Grunholz. Addresses were then presented by the parishioners, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Christian Doctrine Society, the Young Men’s Catholic Benefit Association, the H.A.C.B. Society, and the Guard of Honor of the Sacred Heart and the Children of Mary. These addresses all expressed the warmest words of welcome to tho Bishop, and enumerated evidence of the advancement made in the work of the Church during past years. His Lordship, addressing the rev. fathers and tho congregration, replied in brief to each of the addresses presented. He felt that he had not the power adequately to express the feelings of joy and paternal affection that filled his breast at that moment, and could not sufficiently thank them for the magnificent reception they had just given to him —for their delicate attention in sending a special train to meet him at Lyttelton, and for their almost royal welcome, as he might call it, which he had that [afternoon experienced on being introduced to their midst. Then again the triumphal arches erected with so much taste and adornment, contained expressions of such hearty welcome as almost left it beyond his power to fittingly respond. He thanked them, however, heartily from tbe depths of his heart for that “Cead Mille Failthe” they had given him on this occasion. He would not attempt to answer in detail all the beautiful addresses presented to him, [as he would keep them 100 long were he to attempt to do so ; nevertheless, he would say a few words in connection with each. To begin with the address presented by their venerable, devoted, and almost too zealous pastor, he might sum up in two words the contents of it. Father Ginnity therein spoke of the past as to what had been done, and otj'jthe future, as to what was in contemplation, and what would undoubtedly be done under his guidance and the blessing of God. Three things were referred to at the end of the address, however, which went specially to his heart. One was the cause of temperance, in which he took so deep an interest. If the habit of intemperance were once eradicated it would be the means of emptying our gaols and our Industrial Schools, and raising society from the lowest depths to the highest pinnacle. There was yet another cause greater than temperance, because everything else depended upon it. He was referring to the cause of education. Whenjhe (tho Bishop) was consecrated, in the first speech he made, in the presence of Cardinal Manning, ho pointed out that he was entering upon a [great conflict in the cause of education; he foresaw the danger and opposition he should have to meet, and at the same time expressed bis determination to do his utmost to establish and preserve the true freedom of education, and consequently secure justice to the Catholics. Finally, their pastor had spoken of the Sacred Heart, and the progress of the cause of their religion in Christchurch. He (the Bishop) consecrated the whole of this diocese by special prayer and special act of consecration in every chapel throughout the extent of the diocese in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It had[ borne abundant fruit, and in no instance more than with this Church. There were ample evidences of the blessings showered down upon them, and he trusted that God would still oontiuue to bless their efforts to carry out successfully the works delineated in the address of their pr.stor. He then referred to the other addresses in their order, and as to that of the parishioners, expressed the keenest pleasure to find therein an acknowledgment of their being a united people, and he thanked them cordially for their sentiments of respect and attention to the cause of religion. Here he should say that he would not have accepted all the honors they hed heaped upon him to-day if he had thought they had been directed to him personally, but he knew it was not to him but to his official position the homage was paid—to him as representative of their Holy Father Pope and of Jesus Christ in their midst. Now that there was a suitable residence in Christchurch for a Bishop, he should be more often among them, and would always continue to pray that blessings might be showered down upon the whole of the congregation. He next replied to the addre- s of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and thanked them for calling to his mind the name of that great saint, whose work they were performing in this city. They not only gave their purse in charity, but their substance by attending personally upon the poor, the sick, the neglected, and unhappy; and were thus performing a great good for society at large. To the H.A.C.B. Society he also offered some werds of congratulation and encouragement, and remarked that he was pleased to see them carrying their noble badges of temperance. He also replied at some little length to the address presented by the Catholic Young Men’s Benefit Association, and to that of the Guard of Honor of the Sacred Heart and the Children of Mary, with special reference to the high and virtuous principles of tho latter. His Lordship concluded by pronouncing the Episcopal blessing. The ceremony of tho benediction of tho Sacrament having been gone through, The choir sang the “Te Deum.” accompanied by the organ, and as the Bishop left the church, a march composed by Professor Hughes tor the occasion, was played. The Bishop afterwards received at the newly erected Presbytery, the presidents, vice-presidents, and secretaries of the Catholic Societies. At tho opening of tbe organ on Sunday his Lordship will be assisted by Dr. Moran, Bishop of Dunedin, and by the distinguished Jesuit Father O’Malley.