Bishop Cleary Sleeps on Windy Heights

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 845, 13 December 1929, Page 1

Bishop Cleary Sleeps on Windy Heights

BURIAL AT PANMURE IN COMPANY OF BRETHREN On the windy heights that overlook Tamaki and the Panmure Basin, the mortal remains of Bishop Cleary were laid to their last long rest in the cemetery of St. Patrick’s Church, Panmure, yesterday afternoon. By his own wish he was laid to rest in the hallowed ground of the old historical churchyard in the company of priests and Marist Brothers who had passed on years before. Of those who sleep beside the bishop the most distinguished is the late Very Rev. James McDonald, one time vicar-general of the diocese, who spent a great part of his life in spreading the Gospel among the Maoris. In the cemetery also are the graves of the Very Rev. Monsignor Walter McDonald, a former parish priest of Panmure, and the Rev. Father Downey, who founded St. Benedict’s Church in 18S0. BUILT BY MISSIONARIES The church itself was built by the French missionaries who ministered to the needs of the early Irish military settlers. Bishop Cleary’s grave was dug 15ft from the old wooden walls. The funeral cortege reached the graveside shortly after 2 p.m., and climbed the hill to the cemetery, preceded by the crucifix and lanternbearers, the old French mission bell alongside the grave tolling mournfully at intervals in memory of the beloved bishop. Members of the Hibernian Society formed a guard of honour around the grave, which was ringed with priests in full vestments and Maori youths from St. Peter’s Rural Training College lowered the coffin into the grave. The service occupied 20 minutes, and was conducted by Bishop Liston, the principal features being the singing of the Benedictus by the priests in choir, the blessing of the grave by the bishop, and the chanting of the Lord’s Prayer by the entire assemblage. At the conclusion a buglei at the rear of the church sounded the plaintive notes of “The Last Post.”

As the bishops and priests filed past the open grave at the conclusion of the service, each dropped a handful of earth upon the coffin, a symbolic act, which was taken up’ by the remainder of the company.