LATE BISHOP CLEARY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5512, 11 December 1929, Page 2

LATE BISHOP CLEARY.

THE PASSING OF A CHRISTIAN. With the passing away in Auckland on Monday of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Henry William Cleary, Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, Roman Catholics of this district have lost one who was almost a personal friend to every one of them. During the 20 years he had occupied the See of Auckland Bishop Cleary made many visits to Paeroa and district, and his numerous contributions to the various Catholic publications, notably the “Month,” which he-found-ed and was editor of, have given an insight into his character so that he had come to be regarded as an outstanding personality, beloved by his own people and highly esteemed by those whose views on religious matters differed from the teachings of his Church. Bishop Clearry had the gift of making firm friends among members of all denominations, and while a strenuous fighter in causes affecting the tenants of his Church, his manner was such as not to wound his opponents. A man of distinct intellectual qualities and a natural leader of religious thought, he was one of those rare churchmen in these days who were as a pillar of fire by night to lead the way, and was not, as so many presentday clerics typify, a cloud of smoke which obscures all about them. Wide interests claimed his attention and re r ceived the benefit of his untiring zeal, his great capacity for organisation, and his profound scholarship, so that the country is much the poorer for his passing. The Prelate’s body has been lying in state in St. Patrick’s Cathedral since yesterday afternoon. Solemn Requiem Mass will be held at 10 a.m. to-mor-row, at which the leaders of the Church in the Dominion and representatives of the clergy will be present. The funeral will leave about 11.45 a.m. for the cemetery adjoining St. Patrick’s Church, Panmure.