OPENING OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL AT DUNEDIN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1468, 16 February 1886, Page 3

OPENING OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL AT DUNEDIN.

St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Cathedra), Dunedin, was opened on Sunday by a most imposing ceremonial. The weather in tbe morning was misty and drizzling, but long before the appointed hour the streets in front of the Cathedral were packed. A little before 11 a.m. the Catholic school children marched in procesion to the Cathedral. The boys of St. Joseph’s Christian Brothers’ School wore badges of green, red, and blue, and the girls of St, Joseph’s and the Convent schools were dressed in white, with cardinal colored sashes, wearing wreaths and veils, and carrying bannerettes. They were arranged in two row's, extending from Bishop Moran’s to the Cathedral gate, forming a lane for the Cardinal to walk through. Then came a procession of priests, bishops, and the Cardinal. It was headed by altar boys carrying incense, (hen the cross, 21 altar boys in white and mauve, 16 priests, 1 Archdeacon, five Bishops, then Cardinal Moran (with two boys carrying his train), and his Chaplain and Secretary. As His Eminence marched through the lane of boys and girls, the latter strewed his path with flowers, so that from the Bishop’s gate to the Cathedral he literally walked on flowers. The crowd of specta tors at this time was very large indeed. As His Eminence reached the gate the choir, comprising 60 voices and several instrumentalists, gave the Church’s song of welcome, “Behold the High Priest.” Pontifical High Mass was next celebrated by the Most Rev. Dr Reynolds, Bishop of Brisbane. His Eminence then preached the dedication sermon in which he traced the rise of the Catholic Church from the lime the Saviour gave the charge to the Apostle Peter—“ On this Rock I will build My Church.” Ho said these thoughts were suggested by viewing the beautiful edifice raised by the exertions of the faithful in Dunedin, which would be a monument to future generations. After poiutimg out how the Catholic Church had continued as a beacon and testimony of the truth of how no power should prevail against it, he concluded by referring to Bishop Moran, who had, previous to coming to this fair land of the South, labored in South Africa, Since his arrival all knew of his services, and the building they had dedicated was one of the fruits of his labors.

After the Benediction His Eminence, preceded by the Bishops and priests, returned to the bishop’s house.

There must have been considerably over 2000 people in the building. In the evening after vespers the Most Rev. Dr Redwood preached. Yesterday the Cardinal inspected the girl’s school. The portion of the Cathedral dedicated is only a wing of the complete design. What was opened is not quite completed. Several of the stained glass windows will not arrive till Easter, and a amount of interior decorative work remains to be done. What is completed has a very chaste and beautiful appearance. Dp to the present the building has cost between £20,000 and £21,000. Bishop Moran on last Sunday evening after the ceremonies of the day had concluded, stated that the collections on that day amounted to £1624 34s 4. The work of erecting the Cathedral commenced seven years ago, it had so far cost £20,000, and there was now only £SOO of a debt on it.