Man of God—and Man of Men

NZ Truth, Issue 1192, 4 October 1928, Page 6

Man of God — and Man of Men

SO. many of. us are inclined to subscribe to the intolerant viewpoint that priests are men .devoid of the saying graces one usually attributes to humanity, that it behoves one to ridicule the intolerants by furnishing examples of the many exceptions. Among the priesthood of the Roman Catholic faith, one immediately perceives the identity of a man whose divine faculty of human, humane understanding, his/fine example of sweet charitableness to its innermost significance, his scholarly and athletic achievements, shall be all-enduring, ever remembered. We mean Archbishop O'Shea, Coadjutor to Archbishop Redwood m the diocese of Wellington. Even if all other accomplishments were discounted, he has registered the remarkable 'distinction. of being the only Roman Catholic clergyman iti New Zealand to achieve academic honors solely through his education m this country, m contradistinction to his reverend superior, whose clerical career was nurtiiredin the provinces of France. •Archbishop O'Shea, despite a heavy administrative responsibility m relation to his diocese, m which he really is its most active executive, has found time m which he may concentrate his innate ability towards ennobling and stabilizing the fraternity of mankind; to elucidate its many problems', both civic or ..domestic, national" or personal, thus unconsciously providing an example of what a true New Zealander should represent. .^.Sympathy is synonymous with his name— the fine, broad sympathy which has no cognisance of status or purview, while his generous tolerance, his understanding 'and forbearance, his record as an eminent protagonist for the betterment of; schools ahd. scholars, ensure for him a niche among those whose .memories are hallowed by the recollection of fine performance and estimable fellowship. among; the commoner touches of mankind.