PRESENTATION TO THE VERY REV. FATHER COLEMAN, VICAR-GENERAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 90, 16 January 1875, Page 7

PRESENTATION TO THE VERY REV. FATHER COLEMAN, VICAR-GENERAL.

A labge number of the Catholics of Dunedin assembled at Sfc. Joseph's Church on Tuesday evening last, for the purpose of welcoming the venerated Vica,r-General, of the diocese on his return to the Colony. A purse of 210 sovereigns had been subscribed throughout the Province for presentation to the rev. gentleman, as a small token of their appreciation of his labours for their spiritual wants, and help to meet in some small degree the expenses entailed by his recent mission to Europe to supply the wants of the diocese. In addition to the purse of sovereigns, a beautifully-illuminated address was presented on behalf of the Catholic body, which was read by Mr Dungan, the hon. sec. His Lordship the most Rev, Dr. Moran occupied the chair. The Secretary before reading the address, said :— Very Reverend Sir. — The very pleasing task has boon allotted to me by my fellow Catholics throughout the diocese of presenting to you on their behalf an address of hearty welcome and congratulation on your return among us. Were I, perhaps, to observe the custom usual upon such occasions, I should rest satisfied with carrying out the honorable and pleasing duty which has been entrusted to me j but I trust that I may be pardoned for making one or two observations before proceeding to do so. The signatures attached to the address which I shall presently read, aro of those persons who from the initiation have taken a most active part in the movement for which we are assembled here to-night ; but they are also appended as the representatives of the Catholics throughout the entire diocese, who have heartily responded to the appeal. Had this demonstration assumed a somewhat more extensive form, and had the co-operation of all classes of the community been sought, I have no hesitation in saying that the small offering which will be presented, could have been materially increased. As, however, the intention has been that the Catholic laity should testify their appreciation of your unwearied zeal and labors in the cause of our holy faith, it was not deemed advisable to seek assistance from other than its members. However, lam proud and happy to say that many, very many, while differing from us in matters of faith, are at one with, us in the present demonstration, and not a few have testified their esteem and respect by a voluntary contribution to its fund. I will now proceed to read the address, and I am sure that every Catholic throughout the diocese wiLl heartily endorse the wishes and sentiments therein contained. The address is as follows : — To the Very Rev. Fatiieb Coif/man, Vicab-Gexekal or the, Diocese oe Dtjnedin. Veby Rev. Sib, — We, the undersigned, on behalf of the Catholics of the diocese, beg to offer you our hearty congratulations, and welcome on your safe return to Dunedin from your most successful mission to Europe. Aware that your great and unexpected success in procuring priests, nuns, and ecclesiastical students, for this diocese, has entailed a very large outlay, we avail ourselves of the opportunity to ask you to accept the accompanying purse of sovereigns to aid you in mectiug the expenditure, aud as an expression of our high appreciation oi" your unwearied zeal and indefatigable labor for our spiritual welfare. We thank God for all that he lias enabled you to do for us, and pray most earnestly that you may be long spared to labor amongst us ; and that, as heretofore, your efforts for the advancement of Faith and piety may be always crowned with success. Jessie McKay W. D. Woods Ellen Cantwell . Jessie Bonney Margaret Scanlan Edward Downey Ellen Carroll Francis Meenan Louisa Bonney Michael Meenan Mary Drumm • John Mulrooney Margaret Martin John Carroll Ellen Fisher Nicholas Smith Margaret Court E. Morton Annie Donnelly J- J. Connor Juliana Reany Charles Colunib Catherine Nelson v Robert A. Loughnan Justina Mary Connor Thomas O'Donnell Maria Smith Edward Carroll Johanna Fleming F. J. Bunny John Moylan M. Conuellan E. Halley L. Ryan John Mclnerney John Dungan Mr Dtu&an then called upon the fair purse-bearer to present the purse of sovereigns. Miss Jessie McKay, to whom had been deputed the presentation of the testimonial, then came forward, and handing to the rev. gentleman a beautifully-beaded purse containing the money, said she had much pleasure in carrying out the task for which she had been chosen, and on the part of the Catholics of the diocese begged to present the Vicar-General with the small token of their esteem, love, and respect. The Very Rev. Father Coleman, who appeared to be much affected, said he could hardly find words to express his feelings of gratitude for their kindness and thoughtf ulness iv showing him this mark of their esteem on his return, lie thanked them most sincerely for himself and for their worthy Bishop. He thought that the people of this district of Dunedin knew very well how much he had their interests — especially their spiritual interests — at heart. It was nearly four years ago since his LordsWp, himself, and the ten nuns landed here. He was hardly an hour in the place when he saw the state of affairs, and how great were the difficulties he had to contend with, that, when asked to speak, he was almost unable to do so — all lie could say was that he had come here to labor with the Bishop. Since then, under the guidance of G-od, they had succeeded — had succeeded by the co-operation of fche_ people with the Bishop. All had done as much as could be reasonably expected. Some had done more ; and the great body of the Catholic people were jery different in posi-

tion and social standing to what they were four years ago. Were the labours of that time again required of him he would gladly undertake thsm. It was on receipt of information at 12 o'clock one day that tho wants of the diocese could not be met that, in less than an hour and a-half afterward, he was en route for Europe. He had since travelled 36,000 miies. He left with the uneasy feeling that the Bishop might succumb in his absence ; and this troubled him the whole of the journey. They had expressed their gratitude to him (Father Coleman), but it should have been to the Bishop for sending him. The object of his mission was to procure, priests, nuns, and Christian Brothers, and to establish students in colleges to sxipply tho .wants of the diocese in the future. From information ho had of the six clergymen he got — information given by those who were bound to Bupply it correctly, and from his own personal knowledge for years of one of them — he knew that they would be an honor to the diocese. They had all volunteered to come here, and it was only men influenced by a desire for the advancement of religion who would give up home-comforts to do so. He had also procured two nuns and two postulants to educate the children, and they, with the nuus already here, would have tin effect on the generation to come. More than a year ago he was told by persons who differed from them in religion, that the feuiales attending these schools could be known in the streets "by the j: demeanour. He hoped that he had brought them, a treasure ■which, would be valued at its proper worth, when all those who ■were then listening to him were dead and gone ; and that the impressions and good sentiments, the modesty of demeanour, and holiness- of life, for which the Irish people and the Catholic people of the Old World were remarkable, would become natural to their children from the training they would have received, and that in the future, more than the present, would the seed which, was now "being sown bring forth fruit. The Christian Brothers, who were to teach the boys, he regretted to say, were not to be had, but be great efforts he had succeeded in getting a promise that the diocese could get two or three in abemt eighteen months from this date. His Eminence Cardinal Cullen had done all he could iv the matter for him, and the diocese should lie grateful to his Eminence. He then referred to the courteous reception be had experienced in Honolulu, America, and Europe. His Eminence Cardinal Cullen had received him into his house, and had treated him hospitably. Amongst others, the Cardinal Prefect of the Propaganda and the head of the Irish College in Rome had received him well. Two places were granted to this diocese in the College of Propaganda, which was no small matter. He then gave a description of the churches of Rome, the persecutions suffered by the Catholics there, and the confiscations made by the Government oi" Victor Emmanuel. It might be asked — Why did the Romans submit to such oppression ? and in answering this question he gave as the reason, that for centuries the Roman people had enjoyed peace — their thoughts were not turned on deeds of war or of blood, ! but rather upon the fine arts and painting. They found it difficult to realise the state to which they were reduced. He then referred to the appropriation by the Italian Government of Church property in Rome, mentioning that the religious had been brought to great misery. He hoped, from what he had observed, this diocese would contribute more liberally to the Pope in future. He had seen the Holy Father, who was a prisoner in the Vatican, and he had given his blessing to be bestowed on this diocese. Catholics here were doubly taxed — taxed for schools they could not send their children to as well as for their own ; but there was a fair and enlightened public opinion forming that would ultimately right that. No people were more in earnest to promote the -welfare of the diocese than the Catholics were j none rejoiced more than they did io see this Province prosper. They did not want to interfere with the education of any person outside of their own body. The Church did not want that Catholic children should be tampered with, and their minds prejudiced against their Bishop, priests, teachers, and the religion that Catholics professed. It was an injustice to the Catholics of the Colony and Province to have to pay for schools that were purely irreligious and materialistic, and, where they were not so, were essentially denominational, and opposed to the Catholic faith. Let others teach their children what they pleased, but they hoped they would teach them nothing wrong. All Catholics wanted was a fair share of their own. money. (Applause.) He hoped that the time was not far distant when those who differed .from them would see the justice of the Catholic claims, and be more ready to cooperate in procuring redress. Those who differed from them had learned to respect tlieir consistency and perseverance. It v,-as necessary to have schools and a house for the Christian Brothers. A purse of sovereigns was very useful, and, like other people, he could find a use for it. — (Laughter.) But he did not want money. ICo knew that as long as he laboured faithfully for the Catholics of this diocese, or any other Catholic people, that he should never want for the necessaries of life. He begged to offer the 210 sovereigns they had presented Mm to his Lordship as the foundation of a fund to provide accommodation of the Christian Brothers when they come here. — (Great applause.) But ha would retain the purse as a memento of their kindness. Father Coleman then handed the money to the Chairman. The Chairman, on- behalf of ' the congregation and the diocese, thanked Father Colemau for his munificent gift — for it was a munificent gift. It was a large sum of money he might have kept for him self — (Father Coleman : I am only sorry it is not ten times as much.) Father Coleman on his mission to Exu'ope had been far more successful than he ( ,he Chairman) had expected. The diocese was under obligations to Father Coleman for the exertions^he had made duivng the past four years, especially for the way he had managed affairs on his late mission, there being now, a sufficient supply of priests. They had yet to prepaie for the Christian Brothers, and to make sacrifices in tie cause of education. They had to make sacrifices, but what "n ould be the good of living without sacrifice. He did not think there would be any ".use in that sort of life — it would be mere veftebaticn. They must; fight and be prepared to prate sacrifices, and they woxUi tlon

have the consciousness of doing their duty. They should be assured that they were rearing up a fine .Catholic race. The world was advancing every day, and he believed each generation was better than the previous one. He once believed in the good old times, but did not do so now. The present was better, and the future would be better still. He was determined to improve on the past, and had not the least doubt whatever that they would co-operate with him. The congregation was outgrowing the present church. They must get a new church, and two or three others also. He then suggested for the congregation to think over it.that the church be used as a school for the Christian Brothers ; that portion of a new church be erected and used for divine worship ; and that the present school buildings be taken down and removed to South. Dunedin, where they could be used as a school and church. The new church could be proceeded with gradually on a plan-, and the part first erected need not be finished inside. He had bought a piece of ground in South Dunedin for £200, and should be only too happy to offer it to the congregation for the purpose for which he boxight it — as a site for a church, (applause.) Mr Joiin Caeroil said that when he attended the meeting he intended to have been but a silent spectator of the proceedings, but he hoped he should be allowed to make one or two remarks with regard to the generous conduct of Father Coleman in handing over such, a handsome gift to his Lordship for the wants of the diocese. ■ He was quite sure that such an action would not be lost upon the Catholics of Dunedin, and the solid foundation laid by Father Coleman would be an incentive to every member of the congregation to come forward and generously aid the good work so nobly begun. He had much pleasure in proposing a vote of thanks to the Vicar-General for his handsome donation towards the proposed efforts being made to provide Catholic education. Mr J. J. Connor said that, like the preceding speaker, he had not come that evening to take part iv the discussion, but to testify his hearty sympathy with the object for which they had assembled. However, the generous conduct of Father Coleman had caused him to alter that intention. Reference had been made by the rev. speaker to the unjust treatment of the Catholics as a body on the matter of education, but he was assured that the fair and equitable quota of that fund, which all impartial minds mrst admit they- were entitled to, was but a matter of time. Catholics had proved to the community at large that, on the all-important question of education they were thoroughly sincere, of which the many great and heavy sacrifices on its behalf gave ample proof ; and the noble and generous self-denial of their worthy Vicar- General was not one of the least. He begged most cordially to second the proposition. The motion was carried by acclamation, as was also a vote of thanks — proposed by Mr DtrNGAN, and seconded by Mr Cakroli, — to his Lordship for his occupation of the chair, and the proceedings terminated. ,