SHOCKING SCENE AT A FUNERAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6498, 24 December 1881, Page 6

SHOCKING SCENE AT A FUNERAL.

The Argttt correspondent gives the follow* ing particulars of the scene that took place at the funeral of the late. Mr Michael Fitzpatrick, of New South Woles“ The funeral of the late Mr Michael Fitzpatrick took place this afternoon (Dro. IS) at the Bo man Catholic Cemetery ot Petersham. Mr J. S. Parnell, M.L.A., and Mr J. Marks, M.L.0., were amongst the chief mourners. _ The colleagues of the deceased gentleman in the Ministry in whioh he was Colonial Secretary daring 1878 wore present, also Sir John Hay, the President of the Legislative Council, Mr W. Forster, M.L A., and Sir Patrick Jennings, M.L.A. Owing to the funeral taking place at about the hour of the meeting of Parliament, many members were absent who otherwise would probably have attended. Much regret was felt in consequence of this, and the feeling was intensified when it was known that their presence at the funeral would have caused the gathering round the grove to have been even a stronger protest than it wee against the course of conduct whioh made the ceremony one of (be saddest description, and aroused sorrow and indignation in the breasts of everyone who attended, Boman Catholics as well as Protestant#. In life Mr Fitzpatrick was well known to be a firm supporter of the public school system, and more than once he publicly stated that he followed the dictates of bis conscience in this matter to the injury of bis position in this world, and be hod been told, he said, at his peril in the next. That bis bold, unflinching advocacy of what was distasteful to the authorities of the Boman Catholic Church did affect h*s position here was certain, but he placed no faith in what he bad heard of injury that might accrue to him after death, and continued in the course he had always followed. Hie remains were in consequence denied the rites of Christian burial. Ho priest was present to read the burial service at the grave, and with only a ehort prayer from some of these who in the life-time of the deceased were nearest and dearest to him, and who knelt at the head of bis grave with streaming eyes, and with the sign of the cross and a benediction from a clerics! friend, who attended in his every-day dress and acted on his own authority, the body wee lowered into the earth. Mr Parnell, Mr Forster, Sir Patrick Jennings, and Mr W. 9 . M’licmott acted os pall-bearere. Up to the time when the coffin was placed over the grave* the absence of the priest was not apparent, but then there was a pause, a* If those conducting the arrangement# were waiting for the clergyman to appear. The delay w##, however, of no avail, and in a manner which showed that he had abandoned Ml hope of anyone coming to read the prayers over the deed, Sir Patrick Jennings directed that the coffin should be lowered into the grave. The deceased*! sons and some other relative# knelt at the heed of the gmve overwhelmed with grief t (me of them in broken accents commented the Lord's Prayer, which was joined in by the other*. The Bev Dr Forrest then stepped forward, and performed the little ceremony referred to above, Much indignation wee expressed by all present. It appeare that Dr OorietU promised to attend the funeral, and was willing to do eo, but hi woe prevented by the authorities of the Boman Catholic Church, When one of the relatives of the deceased visited (it Mary 1 # to request that a priest wight be permitted to attend and reed prayer* at the grave, one of the priests is ssid to have remarked in allusion to the deceased j " I'm afraid the unfortunate man he# lost hi* soul.”