THE BIGHT REV. DR. GRIMBS AT GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1709, 10 March 1888, Page 3

THE BIGHT REV. DR. GRIMBS AT GERALDINE.

The arrival of Bishop Grimes at Geraldine was an event that was looked forward to with great interest by the townspeople, and on Thursday afternoon last, a very large number of persons repaired totheOrariin vehicles end on horseback, to meet the south express by which His Lordship was to arrive. At the station the Bishop was introduced by the Eev. Father Bowers, of Geraldine, to a number of those who were present, and was then oondnoted to the carriage in waiting for him, and which bad been lent to the reception committee for the occasion by Mr*W. Postlcthwaite, Quite a large crowd of all denominations assembled at the ohnroh to await the arrival of the distinguished gnssti His Lordship was accompanied by the lev. Bather Fauvel, of Temnka, and after a short stay at the presbytery, the party n»adeamovefortheohurch,reaohingit through the grounds. The latter was crowded with (hose who had assembled to do honor to (heir Bishop, and also of those who had to catch a sight of a personage who has been so highly spoken of ever since his arrival in New Zealand. The Bev. Father Bowers met the party at the door of the ehnrch and' they passed down the aisle to (he sanctuary. Messrs M. Connolly, J. Biordan, and J. P. KalaugheT.iun,, who constituted the reception committee, having come forward to the altar raile, the following address wes read by Mr Kalangher s

M The Biehfc Rev. Dr Grimes, 8.M., Lord Bishop of Christchurch. « M kY ra Phase Yoxm Lobdihip,—We, the Oatbolioa of Geraldine, beg to welcome Yont Lordship amongst us. We are truly ■lad to know that the Church has mad# such progress in New Zealand ae to warrant the establishment of a new diocese. We doubt not that Catholicity will continue to flourish under Your Lordship’s administration. This district has been but a few years a separate mission. During these few year# we have built a substantial residence for our paster, It has not yet been considered jarnflent to establish a Catholic scattered and our resources sire by' abundant, but we do not forget the traditions of our dear fatherland—‘the islandjjof saints stud scholars, and therefore we earnestly

hope that we (ball soon be able to give the children of the district an opportunity of being educated in accordance with the teaching of God and Hie Holy Church. We beg to congratulate Tour Lordship on your elevation to the Bpiioopaey, and to express an ardent wish that God may afford you a happy and prosperous career.—Signed on behalf of the Catholics of Geraldine by

“James Riobdan. “Michael Connolly, “J. P. Kalattghbb.”

Dr Grimes suitably replied, thanking them all most heartily for the kind reception they had given him that day. His Lordship wont on to speak of the education system of the colony. He regretted exceedingly that the present system of non-religious education was in force in the State schools, and with their pastor regretted very much that there was no Catholic school in the Geraldine district. This state of things he hoped wonld soon be remedied. The speaker then informed his hearers that he had a message for them from the Pope. When he had an audience with the Pope, the latter desired to know if there was anything he particularly wished. His request had been that he might convey the Papal blessing to the Catholics of his new diocese. The Holy Bather had hesitated for some time as he (the Bishop) had indeed asked a great thing, but at last the request was willingly granted. He would give them that blessing before the close of the present ceremony. His Lordship then went on to explain the purpose and meaning of bis present visitation and the various forms that would be used. He stated that he keenly felt the great responsibility he had undertaken. His responsibility was vastly more than that of a priest. The latter had the care of the souls of his own parish, but the Bishop had the care of the sonls of both the priests and parishes all over his diocese. It had been with great misgivings he had accepted the position he now held. It was not his own wish, but the express wish of His Holiness the Pope. However, he was determined to fulfil the exceedingly weighty responsibilities devolving upon him to the best of Ha powers. To this end he begged for their prayers and support. His Lordship then enumerated the forms for the visitation and gave those present the Papal Benediction after which the ceremony ended. His Lordship proceeds to Ashburton to-day.