THE ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4131, 17 June 1874, Page 3

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF WELLINGTON.

The following report of speeches at a dinner held subsequent to the consecration of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Wellington, appears in the London Tablet: — Sir Clias. Clifford rose to propose the health of the newly-consecrated Bishop of Wellington. He said; Tins is one of the greatest pleasures I have ever experienced. Outside of my own family there are none whom I have loved and respected more than the family of the Redwoods. Tile Bishop of Wellington and myself went out to New Zealand together in the same vessel, and though wo resided in different provinces on our arrival, we kept up a pleasant communication with each other. The family of the Redwoods have done wonders in New Zealand, and to that family the spread of the faith was much owing. It may surprise you to hear that I lay claim to be the first pastor of the Diocese in Wellington. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) In the year 1842, when I landed iu New Zealand, there was not a priest there. Well, the Catholics were very numerous, and they agreed to assemble at my house on Sundays and other holidays, in order as much as possible to sanctify those clays. So through this I claim to be the first priest of the congregation of the Bishop of Wellington. (Hear, hear.) Shortly after came out zealous missionaries from Ireland, and to them succeeded the good Marist fathers, who have been most zealous in the duties of their sacred ministry, and succeeded in spreading the faitli rapidly. (Applause.) Sir Charles Clifford then proceeded to give a most interesting and entertaining account of tile progress of the faith in the New Zealand Colonies. He said that that feeling known as the “No Popery feeling” was scotched and killed in the early days of his Colonial experiences. In electing members for the House of Assembly the Colonial Government chose to yaise the cry of “ No Popery,” and to protest against such a cry, ho (Sir Charles Clifford) was elected a member for Wellington at the head of the poll. They would not stand any bigotry, and, to show their great toleration, they elected a Catholic to the House of Assembly at the head of the poll. At one time the Colonial Government were at a loss to know whether they would say prayers, and of what sort, at the opening of the discussions of the Assembly. At last, after much discussion as to the sort of prayers to say, and what clergyman should say them, he (Sir 0. Clifford) was nominated one of a committee to compose a prayer—(laughter, and hoar, hear) —and they made a very devotional one, which was repeated by every member of the Association. Again, it was proposed to give a Protestant Bishop £6OO a year, and the wisdom of the payment was approved of, but when the same demand was made for clergymen of other denominations, Catholic included, it was not found to work so well. In course of time all those matters were satisfactorily managed, and now lie was happy to state that in no country under the laws of Great Britain can Catholics exercise their religion with more freedom. (Loud applause.) In conclusion, Sir Charles Clifford dwelt on the great satisfaction which the consecration of the Right Rev. Dr. Redwood would afford to the inhabitants of the Colony.

Mr, Thompson (the only member present of the new Bishop of AVellingtou’s Diocese) said that on the part of the Catholics of New Zealand, he desired to tender to their new Bishop their hearty congratulationsand glad allegiance. The Catholics of New Zealand claimed Dr. Redwood as one of their own. He (Mr. Thompson) came from the grave of the late Bishop of Wellington, Mgr. Viard, and it was therefore not unfitting that he should welcome as his successor the newly-consecrated Bishop. He had great pleasure in seconding the toast proposed by Sir Charles Clifford. (Loud applause). The Bishop of Wellington rose amidst the most cordial demonstrations of welcome. He said : It is difficult for me to find words to express the feelings of gratitude which I owe Sir Charles Clifford for the very kind words which he has said with regard to my family and myself. I could not desire a greater happiness than to see Sir Charles hei-e to-day. My parents—at least my mother and friends who reside in Now Zealand —when they learp all the circumstances, their delight will be unbounded. It is impossible to describe the feeling which my family owes to the Cliffords ; it brings back thoughts of former days and pleasing intercommunions in Old England. 1 sincerely thank Sir Charles for all the kind things ho has said, and let me say that Sir Charles Clifford and his family were instruments in the hands of Providence to help my predecessor in overcoming the difficulties of Ids New Zealand Mission. His lordship, after expressing his delight at being consecrated by so eminent a prelate as the Archbishop of Westminster, and his love for France and Ireland, where he had made his studios and labored as a priest, concluded by referring to the work set before him in New Zealand.