THE LATE CARDINAL MORAN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 50, 21 August 1911, Page 4

THE LATE CARDINAL MORAN.

The late Cardinal Mo ran, head! of the lionian Catholic Church in Australasia, held a unique position, both as a churchman and as a public man. He was one of the finest examples of the militant, cultured and soft-hearted Irishman his country ever gave to the world. He was tireless in the performance of the great work he undertook, a bora fighter, and, better still, always a victor. Naturally, before all else, he loved his church. His wonderful magnetism, aided by the power of his great office and the use of his unquestioned genius, gave the church in Australia a wonderful impetus. Twenty-eight Catholic charitable institutions in Australia owe their existence largely to his power of organisation and

his personal help and advice. He was the founder of St. Patrick's Ecclesiastical College, at Manly, and this was regarded by his people as his greatest work. The Cardinal, without any appeal to the Roman Catholic community, paid for the erection and furnishing of I St. Patrick's, which it is said, could not have cost him less than £BO,OOO. Great personal influence was exercised 'by the Cardinal over his community. When he contemplated any big church work he had only to ask and the appeal was readily responded to. Lately he undertook to raise £IOO,OOO for the completion of St. Mary's Cathedral, and a few months ago had £40,000 in hand towards the project. In 15 years he spent £IOO,OOO in making the Cathedral, what it is to-day. The completed structure will represent an expenditure of over £200,000. Cardinal Mora© was a conspicuous figure at all the public functions during the centenary celebrations dn 1888, and he organised a great Roman Catholic function in connection with the, event. It took the form of a public meeting in St. Mary's, at which Lord Carrington, then Governor of New South Wales, attended and spoke. Five other colonial Governors were also present on the occasion. One of the Cardinal's pleasajitest recollections l was the Catholic Congress of 1900, in Sydney. On that occasion Earl Beauchamp, a Protestant Governor, and Ms staff, together with the Chief Justice, the Premier, and other leading citizens, attended High Mass in St. Mary's Cathedral. During the Congress also the Governor entertained the Cardinal, his visiting pre. lates, the delegates, and local members of the Congress, at Government House. Tfcia was considered by Roman Catholies as a remarkable recognition of the dignity, power and influence of their church. Ten years previously the Cardinal was conspicuous in the reception of two deputations from the maritime strikers, when he used his influence to try to bring about a settlement. He again figured prominently in the Federal movement, his most notable effort being a big speech at the People's Federal Convention in Batliurst. The latest occasion upon which the Cardinal was prominently before the public was during the visit of the American fleet. He was a guest at the State banquet, and himself gave a big banquet in honor of the visitors. «■ —~