VISIT OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF DUNEDIN.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1419, 17 February 1873, Page 2

VISIT OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF DUNEDIN.

Dr. Moran, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Dunedin, and Administrator of the diocese of Wellington, arrived in Greymouth on Saturday evening. Dr Moran left the Greenstone on Saturday morning, and he received deputations and addresses at Marsden and Paroa. A body of horsemen escorted the carriage in which the Bishop rode from the latter place to Greymouth. The arrangement and marshalling of the procession at Greymouth were carried out under the superintendence of a committee of gentlemen, of whom Mr Peter Purcell was the most active member. The intended visit was announced some days | previously, and in accordance with arrangements made, the Bishop was received on alighting from the tramway carriage at Chapel street by the representatives of the Roman Catholic body resident at Greymouth, also by the president, officers, and members of the Hibernian Australian Catholis Benefit Society, and the children attending St. Patrick's School. The children formed into line at the Catholic Church, and marched to the School-house, in Gresson street,, where the members of the Hibernian Society were appointed to meet. The procession, headed by the town band, then passed by way of Gresson street, Boundary street, Mawhera Quay, Tainui street, and Chapel street, the place of rendezvous. The Bishop arrived at five p.m., accompanied by the Rev. Father Belliard, and escorted by a number of the most prominent members of his church, including Messrs Martin Kennedy, P. M. Griffen, Sheedy, Fitzgerald, H. Cassidy, and others. On alighting from the carriage the Bishop was received by the members of ih^ H^erniati Sdoiojy, and tho prooosaioa returned by the same roujte to St Patrick's Church, in Arney street,' At the entrance to the Church a halt was made, and the following address of welcome from the general body of the Roman Catholic residents was read by Mr P. M. Griffen : — "To the Right Reverend Patrick Mora.n, D.D., Lord Bishop of Dunedin, and Administrator of the Diocese of Wellington. "Most Reverend and Beloved Father — " Availing ourselves of this the first visit by which your Lordship has so kindly honored this remote part of the diocese, whose spiritual wants by the Divine solicitude and mercy of the Apostolic See ' you have been appointed to administer, we, your humble children, most respectfully present to' you the. tribute of our welcome and congratulation. "We feel that thn dioqese which numbers us amongst its members [is honored by the appointment of your Lordship (temporarily though it may be) to succeed the late Venerable Dr Viard, who had governed this diocese so long and so wisely. We have heard of the affectionate esteem entertained for you by the flock over which you formerly presided, in a diocese situate on the shores of a far distant Continent, and of the remembrance of the amiable piety and the learned and useful labors whioh marked your cqnnection with it. We have also heard, of the golden opinions won by your Lordship from every member of the flock then under your care, while filling, in that remote diocese, a most arduous and responsible position. While therefore congratulating your Lordship on the dignity of the office to which by Divine grace aud favor of the Apostolic See you have succeeded, and the duties of which office you haye so faithfully and energetically fulfilled, we also congratulate ourselves on the honor and the boon which this portion of the diocese will receive through your Lordship's visitation, and as we are aware that the advancement of God's glory is the sole wish of your heart in thus coming amongst us, we feel that the most pleasing offering we now c*n make is our earnest determination to co-operate therein with your Lordship in our humble sphere, and by making your counsels Che guiding principle of our lives. We therefore beg your Lordship's blessing on our resolution, congregation, and upon ourselves. "'"•• Wo T?i§ij you many years of hsalth and happiness, to eaable'yofi, "by Gqd'g* grace, to extend in this young and rapidly growing Colony that venerable and immortal faith •winch has existed and flourished tor so many ages in spite of all and every kind of opposition and persecutions, aud through whose instrumentality so many human souls have deri/ed peace in the world and assurance of everlasting happiness hereafter. '■ In conclusion, we pray that the zeal of St. Patrick, arid the sweetnes3 of St. Francis of Salgs," 'r.epp.Qd'uee.d. in your Lordship's Episcopate, may gain for 'yon the. §peckj loye of the sacred heart of our Lord .jesus Christ, and we humbly beg that your Lordship will bestow upon eaoh of us youF Episcopal benediction. 1 c Signed on behalf of the Roman Catholics of Greymouth. "P. M. Grifjfej>\ " Peter. Purcell." At thfi conclusion of this address Mr Edward Butler, the President of the Greymouth branch of the H.A.C.B. Society, "presented jthe gubioineci address of welaome on behalf of the So&ety ;-r "To the Right Reverend P. MqiiAsr, Lord Bishop of Dunedin and Administrator of the Diocese of Wellington. "My Lord— As the representatives of the (jreymputh Branch of the Australasian Catholic Benefrt'Bocloty; we beg to cor dially welcome your. Lprdshijp on this

occasion of your visit to Greymouth, and to express our earnest desire that although this is the first time the members of this branch of the Society have had the honor of appearing before you, they may in future have many opportunities of testifying their esteem for your Lordship, and their respect for the head of their Church in this diocese. As your Lordship is aware, our Society has for its object the preserving a love for that country we have sprung from, a devotion for the faith for which our forefathers suffered, and the enkindling an admiration in the minds of the young for thos9 martyrs and heroes whose glory shall exist until history is no more. Actuated by patriotism, and directed by religion, we feel confident that your Lordship, either as a prince of our church, or as a worthy son of the Land of Martyrs and Heroes, will accord your interest and sympathy to a body who, as Cathoh'cs or Irishmen, w'll endeavor to prove themselves worthy of their religion and their country. (Signed) " E. Butler, President. "P. Purcell, Past President." The Bishop expressed himself pleased with the addresses, and informed the gentlemen who presented them that he would reply to them in the Church. The Bishop then retired to the presbytery, and the church was immediately filled by the members of the Catholic congregation and visitors of other religious denominations. After an interval, the Bishop, arrayed in full canonicals and suitably attended, appeared at the eastern entrance of the church, and proceeding up the centre aisle to the altar, he gave his blessing to the vast concourse with which the church was crowded He then made an address, in the course of which he thanked the members of the congregation for the welcome accorded him by them, and alluded to the kind reception given him at the different places he visited in Westland, and characterised his progress through the County as in a manner a triumphal march. He replied to the several subjects mentioned in the address of the Roman Catholic body, and dwelt especially on the subject of the education of Catholic children. He condemned the systems of education now prevailing in the Provinces of Otago, Canterbury, and Wellington as far as they related to the instruction of Catholic pupils. Dr Moran entered into minute details, but, as he expressed himself to his congregation during Divine service on Sunday, his observations were intended for the edification and direction of members of his own church, and did not concern persons who were not subject to bis spiritual control. While addressing his congregation on Sunday, the Bishop alluded to the manner in which his addresses to his own people in other places had been criticised and enlarged upon, and stated that he was not to be held responsible for any bitterness or unkindness which might have arisen from snch criticism. He was merely performing his duty as a pastor of the Roman Catholic Church, in warning those in his charge against what he believed to be inimical to the spiritual welfare of his flock, and he was not answerable for the interpretation those outside the Catholic Church might choose to put upon his discourses. In his reply to the address of the Hibernian Society, he agreed with the constitution and objects of the Society, and recommended it to the patronage of his hearers. He reprobated all secre! societies, by whatever name they might be known, as opposed to the spirit, doctrines, and teachings of the Catholic Church. The strongest recommendation the Hibernian Society possessed to his favor was that its proceedings were open and above board, because any system or society which required secresy or darkness for its operations was to be avoided as dangerous and disreputable, in a Roman Catholic sense. During the. delivery of a lengthy and eloquent address, the Bishop was listened to with marked attention by the vast concourse assembled in the building. After his address the Bishop gave the benediction of the holy sacrament. IFather B.elliard announced to the congregation that' the Bishop wqijid b,e 'at liberty to receive the congratulation of his flock at the presbytery shortly after the services were over. After the congregation left the church, the Bishop appeared on the platform in front of the presbytery, when he was greeted with ringing cheers by the multitude which by this time had assembled. During the ceremonies within the church the choir assisted most effectually at the services, and especially the rendering by a lady singer of the beautiful hymn " O Salutaris Hostia" at the benediction. The Bishop heard confession in the church on Saturday evening, and administered the sacraments of the Eucharist and Confirmation on Sunday. On Sunday evening Dr Moran preached to a crowded congregation. It is understood that •he will vis,it the up-country d^trigts during the ensuing week. " <■' '

The following was the address presented at Paroa :— " To the Right Rev. Dr Moran, Lord Bishop of Otago and Administrator of the Diocese of Wellington, New Zealand. "Representing the Catholics of Paroa we desire to offer a ' Ceade mille failthe,' accompanied with our most sincere and heartfelt congratulations to you on this the occasion of your first apostolic visit to Westlantlj'ind at the, game. time, wish yon a. safe return to your cherished See after Ihe benign administration of your sacred mission amongst your devoted children. We desire also to convey to you our gratitude and esteem for the zeal and energy you have evinced in the interests of religion j for your anxiety for the moral and material ■ well-being of your people ; and particularly for the interest you haye taken in the education and training" qf children 'whije. jjresjdfng in Otago. ' ' :•'■■■■ i. ({ Earnestly hoping that your lordship will receive this address, as an humble tribute of acknowledgment from the Catholic people of this neighborhood, -for the eminent services you have rendered to the cause of Catholicity, and we humbly pray to Almighty God that your life may be prolonged and spared many more years to combat for our holy religion and the dissemination of education and morality. , ■"We remain, your lordship, f( Most obediently, "MrOHAEL DoWMNrt, &C.' }