DEATH OF CARDINAL GASQUET

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1929, Page 2

DEATH OF CARDINAL GASQUET

ONE OF WO HDD'S MOST LEARNED MEN.

ROME April (J. , Cardinal Gasquet, the 83-yoars-ofd English Benedictine, reputod to bo one of the most learned men in the world d : c*d this afternoon, a sudden attack of pneumonia bavin" followed a lieart .seizure two days ago, , For some years past the condition of his health has on many occasions' caused great anxiety, but his robust constitution always triumphed. With his death the Sacred College which normally numbers 70, is now composed of only 58 members of whom 32 are non-Italians and 26 Italians. He is the third cardinal to die within ten days. Cardinal Francis Aid an Gasquet bore a name of Guernsey sound, but he was born in London in 1846, his father being Dr! Raymond Gasqu'et, who practised medicine in the West End. ' ' The future' cardinal was educated at' Downside and' besaine ‘a priest in 1874. From 1878 until 1885 he was Prior of Downside.. and under his ride ' the school was' modernised and the abh'ey church "b'egUh‘find put on the road towards; completion'.

In 1886 lie entered on those historical researches which were'to make him one of the greatest' -authorities on inon astic life in this country. For many years he was a iamiliar figure at the Record Office and at the British Museum.

The cardinal, before ho became a Prince of the Homan Catholic Church held various, posts which proved both his own ability and the trust reposed in him b'v the ' A T ati'can. He was member of Pope Leo XIII.’s Commission "on Anglican Orders in 1896';'Ab-'hot-Presiderit -of the English Benedictine'’Congregation;'. and -Abbotititn-! lar of St’ Alban’s Reading, 1900-1914, an appointment which, in view o'f his researches- at the British Museum induced his friends to give him the jocular title of .'“Abbot of the RcadingroOm/’

THE VULGATEe COMM ISSION

In 1907 ho was' appointed president of the Commission formed to examnio the text of the Latin Vulgate Bible and to collect material to be used in amending it. The cardinal’s historical researches were a. fitting preparation for the post of Prefect of the Vatican Archives, to 'which ho was appointed in 1918, and for that of Librarian of the Holy Homan Church, which ho received in the following; year. .. . . ■ Cardinal Oasquct was a- political writer among his works being “Monastic 'Life in . England,” “Henry VJH, and the English .Monasteries,” and “The' Old English Bible.” When he became a cardinal he left the house in Bloomsbury, London, in which ho had been living, and took up [his residence in Rome, where he was a staunch friend to British interests throughout the Grpat War. t „ f A WAR’STORY.

The story is told that when Cardinal Hartmann, his German protagonist at tho Vatican, called on him during the war in Home, the German said to him “Eminence, wo will not discuss tho war,” Cardinal Gasquet looked at him >!'or a minute. “Eminence” he replied coldly, “we will not talk about peace.” Cardinal Gasquet had the opportunity of showing the Vatican to King George and Queen .Mary, who were on a"visit to the Italian capital. The royal visitors greatly enjoyed the vis it- and the Queen did not to forget their guide, for in July 1926, when the oardinafßvas paying one ol his periodical visits to London, ho was recognised in Hyde Park by \ior Majesty wh was driving with the King. A lew days later the cardinal attended a gaidcu party at Buckingham Palace.