Visit of Roman Catholic Dignataries.

Thames Star, Volume VIIi, Issue 2825, 5 March 1878, Page 2

Visit of Roman Catholic Dignataries.

The Sight Bererend Dr Monn, Bishop of Dunedin, and Administrator of the Auckland Diocese, accompanied by the Bight Beverend Dr Bed wood, Bishop of Wellington, and the Very Beverend Father Fynes, "V.G. of the Aucklaad Diocese, arrived here on a visit at an early hour this morning. They had been expected to arrive by the Botomahana yesterday, but were unaroidably detained. The ecclesiatical party were driven to the residence of Father . Chastagnon. At nine o'clock a service was held in St. Francis' Chapel, Shortland, for the purpose of administering the sacrament of confirmation to some 170 persons—2o adults, 61 bojs, and 1O girls. The church was crowded, and many were unable to obtain admittance. The Bey.: Father Chastagnon said mass, after which the children were examined in catechism by the Bishop of Dunedin, who expressed himself pleased with the facility with which the questions were answered. Dr. Moran then preached an eloquent and impressive sermon on con* firmation, dwelling on the disposition necessary at the time of confirmation and the graces it conferred. The confirmation then, took place, after which he delivered an address on the Education question. He said that Catholics should have neither hand, act, nor part in the administration of Godless education. Now-a-days God was banished from the schools, and such an education would pnduce nothing but a Godless people. There might be exceptions, but it was the rule, and they would have to deal with the question broadly. A j Catholic who allowed himself to b« placed on one of the school committees incurred a terrible responsibility, and was a rebel to the teaching of the church, and set himself in direct opposition to her. In a manner the church was the tongue of God, and .she had always condemned irreligious education as intrinsically dangerous to truth and morals. If Catholics acted like men in a body, political parties would be split up and thrown into confusion, and they would soon get justice. Catholics should make every sacrifice, so as not to deprive their children of a knowledge of God and their eternal destiny. Iv conclusion, he said * what good was a Catholic on a committee P lie could not be better than the law, and they all knew what the infamous Education Act was, and what they might expect from it. Dr Moran sat down, having evidently made a profound impression on his hearers.

This afternoon the party risited the CatlioHc boys' school, and the Select and Common girl's schools, and addressed the children at each of them. At the boy's school Master Dunn read the following address, which was printed in green and gold on white satin :—

To the Biairr BsrsutrD Dr. Mosaic, Bishop of Dunedia, and Administrator of the Diocese of Auckland.

May it please your Lordshtp-—We, the pupils o( St. Thomas' Boys' School, are delighted at seeing you, aud we gladly offer jou, on this your first visit to our school, our warmest and troifc affectionate welcome.

We deem it a great favor that jou should corns, while on your visit to th« Thamei, to honor our tcbool by your venerated presence; but knowing how very unworthy we are of to great a favor, we accept your Lordship's kindness on this occasion chiefly as a reward of being Catholics, and attending * Catholic school.

We make no bout of bur knowledge; but, young at we are, we know, m? Lord, that we, as Catholic boys, are under a serious and special debt of gratitude to your Lordship for the arduous exertions which you are making, and have already made, in our direct behalf in the matter of education.. It now afford* us great pleasure to readily acknowledge to you, my Lord, our lirely sense of uudying gratitude for your Lordship's labors ; and we trust you will pardon us the liberty, of assuring you that, despite whateror difficulties do or might stand in the way, we will nerer ■werre from following your Lordship's direo tions j nor will we erer appreciate any education which would exclude from us the highest and noblest of all sciences—the science refeting to God and-to Heaven. Our hearts are filled with joy »t seeing your Lordship in our school. We hope you will be pleased with your risit; and we will attire our utmost to be more worthy of so great a firror in future. My Lord, we are deeply gratelul for the honor you We this day conferred on pur school; and for this

anu the maoj oilier furors to which we me indebted to your Lordship, we very much regret that we are unable to Rtre you but very inadequate expression of our feelings of gralitude, veneration, and respectful atlootion. Wo know your Lordship's lore for us, and we r.ru told to atk your blessing on our teachers, our pumits, and ourseln's. W«i rvuiatn, with great respect, your Laidsliip't most dutiful, grateful, aud affeo(ionu(e thildreii, The Popim of St. Thomas' Boys' School. « Thames, March sth, 1878.

To you also, the Kight ,Ber. Dr Redwood, we offer our tribute ef affection and welcome. Our lie»rti rejoice to »cc amongst"uS two ohumpions of our cause, two vigilant, and able dtfordera of our faith—tw* lucerssors of the Apostles. We were not at all prepared for no much honour, and we trust Hint both your Lor,l■bipa will eicuae Ibe fewnee* of our wora', and accept the tuoit aStso ionate, cordial, and respeoiful welcome of tho PupiU of St. Thornns' flojt' School. Bishop Moran expressed his pleasure at receiving the address, and gave great praise for the efficiency of the school, the recitations, Sec, given in his honor, being highly creditable. „