CARDINAL MORAN'S DEPARTURE FOR ROME.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 12, 20 March 1902, Page 4

CARDINAL MORAN'S DEPARTURE FOR ROME.

His Eminence Cardinal Moran, accompanied by the Very Rev. Dean O'Haran, private secretary, left Sydney for Rome on Monday afternoon, March 3. This is his Eminence's fourth visit to the Eternal City since his oocupancy of the See of Sydney in 1884. The first visit waa in 1885, the second in 1838, and the third about 1894. Unlike the last occasion the Cardinal has left in perfect health, and showing little outward signs of the 71 winters which have passed over his head. la fact (writes the Sydney correspondent of the Advocate), it was remarked in the Cathedral on Sunday night, while his Eminence was replying to the addresses of the prelates, priests, and people, that his figure was as firm and erect, and his voice quite as strong, as when on the same spat he acknowledged the welcomes on his return from his visit to the Sovereign Pontiff at the end of 1888. As the Cardinal did not, as was at first intended, leave Sydney by the mail steamer Ophir, there was no demonstration this time in the nature of a public God-speed on the harbor. Hiß Eminence altered his leave-taking plans so aa to journey overland to Melbourne, and catch the Ophir in the southern capital. His Eminence, accompanied by the Right Rev. Dr. Murray, Bishop of Maitland, the Right Rev. Dr. Doyle, Bishop of Lismore, the Right Rev. Dr. Dunne, Bishop of Wilcannia, the Right Rev. Dr. Dwyer, Coadjutor Bishop of Maitland, and the Most Rev. Dr. Kelly, Coadjutor Archbishop. of Sydney, drove to the Redfern Railway Station about half-past six. On arrival at the station his Eminence was greeted by a crowd of five or six thousand persons, including members of the A H.C. Guild, the Hibernian Society, the Irish National Foresters, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, in regalia. The cheering was continued until the express left at a quarter-past seven. Cardinal Moran, speaking at the opening of the new Convent of the Siaterß of the Good Samaritan at Glebe Point, on the previous Sunday, touched briefly on his visit to the Holy Father. His Eminence said he hoped his pilgrimage would not be a lung one. As far as he was concerned it would be as short as possible. Archbishop Kelly would look after their interests well when he had gone. His worthy coadjutor was young and full of vigor to carry on the administration of the diocese, and the people need not have the smallest anxiety. All his (the Cardinal's) affections were centred in Sydney, and no matter how heaven might saiile upon him, as he journeyed on, his ih lights would turn back towards their beautiful haibor, and towards thn grand city on the banks of that beautiful harbor — aye. and to the citizens and the noble children being educated in thtir schools on tne tace of that harbor. Though a pilgrim travelling from them, his heart woula be with them, PBESEXTATIONS. On Sunday evening St. Mary's Cathedral was filled to overflowing. Many persons came in from the buburban parishes to witness the presentation of thefaddresaen totheCardinal, and to hear the last words of his Eminence to bio flock. The gathering- in the sanctuary included five prelates, nearly 100 of the clergy, and many of the leading Catholic laymen. The p-elatea were Archbishop Kelly, Bishop Murray, Bishop Doyle, Bishop Duune, and Bishop Dwyer, Monsignor O'Connor represented the Bishop of Annidale (Dr. Torreggiani), and Archdeacon D'Arcy repres-e^ted the Bishop of Bathurst (Dr. Dunne). Conspicuous among the lay gentlemen were the Mayor of Sydney (Alderman Thomas Hushes), the lion E. O'Sullivan, State Minister for Works ; the Hon W. P. Crick, State Minister for Lands; Mr P. E. Qainn, HP, Mr R. D. Meagher, M.P., Mr J. R. D'Arcy, M P., Mr P. J. Clara, IH P , Mr D. O'Connor, M.P., Sir William P. Manning, the Hon John T. Toohey, M.L.C., Che Hon John Meagber, M.L.C., the Hon T. M. Slattery, M.L C, and Major Freehill.' The first address, that of the Bishops of the Province, waa read and presented by the venerable Dr. Murray, Bishop of Maitland, whose rich, round voice filled the great building. The Very Rev. Dean Carroll read the clerical address, and the Mayor of Sydney read the address by the laity. His Eminence received all the addresses at the throne. He then came to the front of the sanctuary, and from the steps delivered his reply. As the Blessed S icrament had beon removed after Benediction, the assemblage took the character of a huge public meeting, and the applause was enthusiastic and prolonged us his Eminence stood in his scarlet and lace robe* to speak his last words under the lofty roof, and in the midst of the clustering columns of his cathelral. At the end ot hia reply, whkh waa really a short and admirable uitcuurr-e on Faitn and Duty, the Cardinal returned to the throng and ther \ in olt-ar voice, ga\e his Pontifical Benediction, the vas-t absetnbia^d kneeling to receive the bleaaing. There wa* no leave- -akiug ceremony, an iv 1888, in the sanctuary. His Eminence at once procctdeu through the taciisties to the presbyteiy. Ouly those who were fortunate enough to ' cross the path ' of his Eminence in the sacristies < r in the grounds on the eastern Bide of the cathedral, or in the presbytery, leueived his personal blessing. '" After the reading of the addresses Mr. Crick made a briVf speech !in the course of which he eaid : — Your Eminence, we will watch with interest for the news of your safe arrival at your dt stination, and I will say that the pleasure of that news will be exceeded when

we receive the more pleisiug news that you have left on your way to return to this great country of Australia. Our joy will be sfcill increased when the vessel which bsars your precious person baok to these shores shall be signalled from Sydney Heads. You will then receive at tbe hamis of the people of this continent a welcome you so wrll dtserve. I-. will be graciously given, and it will mark an epoch in your lite iar excelling any of those magnificent welcomes which you have been aocordei, and to which you have been so justly entitled. IHE CARDINAL'S KEPLY. In the course of his reply his Eminence said : — The pilgrimage on which 1 am setting out to the shrine of the Apostles is another token of the perfect unity that links our Australian Episcopate with the See of St. Peter and the Vicar of Christ on earth, the centre of unity, the present illustrious Pope Leo XIII. The unbroken line of bishops in the Catholic hierarchy is a golden chain that binds the Church of to-day with the Church of the first pentecost, for the apostolate instituted by our Divine Saviour was not to be transient but permanent, destined to embrace all nations, and to endure until the end of time. It is through the primacy granted to St. Peter by the Divine Redeemer that the Catholio episcopate is perfected in this unity. His princedom iB heaven's seal on the Divine organisation of the Christian Church. His it is to confirm his brethren in the apostolate, his to feed the lambs and sheep of the sacrei fold, his to loose and. to bind. He is the divinely strengthened rock which imparts strength and unity to the whole edifice of the Church of Christ, against which all the powers of Satan shall ever rage in vain. The blessing of the successor of St. Peter serves to renew the spiritual vigor of the Catholic episcopate throughout the world, whilst at the Bhrines of the Apostles the armor of religion is tempered anew to repel the darts of the evil one and to render more noble the victories of the faith. In the Australian Church to-day we take for our guide the venerable maxim which is recorded by St. Augustine, but which bears the impress of the apostolic age : 'In necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus charitas.' Id matters of morality and faith, in all that pertains to the supernatural life and to divine truth, we hold fast immovably to The Teachings of Holy Church. In all things pertaining to the political arena or to commercial enterprise, and to the industrial or social life of the world around us, each one enjoys to the fullest extent the freedom that conscience may sanction ; but in all such matters in which we may be engaged, whether spiritual or temporal, whether earthly or divine, we say, lei charity abound, for it is only in the pure and sweet atmosphere of charity that the light of heaven will shine upon us. You refer to the many works of education and religion which have grown up in our midst during the past 18 years. A great deal indeed has been accomplished, and I am the more free to refer to it in that no one better than I can realise how little is the share of merit that falls to my lot in achieving such grand results. During those years several institutions of religion and charity have been erected, which even in a material way are an ornament to our city and suburbs, and which in their equipment, no le-a than in the f ruitf ulness of their beneficent results, have merited the approval and admiration even of those who are not of the fold. Altogether some 400 works have been carried on throughout the diocese, a proof which none will controvert of an incomparable spirit of devotedness and self-sacrifice on the part of our religious communities, of zeal on the part of our clergy, and of an unbounded generosity which has never wearied amon,' our faithful people. It is not only the material triumphs of religion, however, that I would wish to commemorate. lam happy to attest that everywhere our churches are crowded with fervent worshippers, that the religious sodalities are every day multiplied, that on all sides the fruits of Catholic piety abound, whilst in all ranks of the children of the faith those manifold virtues are shown forth which as bridal ornaments are heaven's gift to the Spouse of Christ. In this we j cannot fail to see the hand of God, Who is pleased to recompense The Heroism of the Pioneers of the faith in this fair land. They had to contend against untold oppression ; they suffered hardships and ignominy and stripes sooner than deny their religion. They were true martyrs for the faith, and the old maxim has once again been verified, ' Sanguis martyrum, semen Christianorum.' They sowed in tears, we reap in joy. ' This is the victory that conquerei h the world, our faith.' Looking to the future, I would commend to our faithful people to be proud of being members of the Catholic Church, to God for the many gifts even in the material order with which He baa enriched her. You will permit me to recall the beautiful, yet measured words of Mr. Gladstone, when he attests that since the first ages of persecution the Catholic Church has tr arched for 1500 years at the head of human civilisation, and has driven, harnet-sed to its chariot, as the horses of a triumphal car, the chief intellectual and material forces of the world ; its genius, the genius of the world ; its greatness, glory, grandeur, and majesty have been almost, though not absolutely, all that, in these respects, the world has had to boast of. But we must bear in mind that if we are to be faithful to the heritage entrusted to us it will not suffice to be Catholics in name ; we are to be Catholics in reality and in truth. St. Cyprian and other Fat herd of the early Church lamented that when the terrors of persecution ceased and prosperity for a time had emiled upon the! Church many nominal Catholics brought disgrace upon the Christian name. Unless we be eaineßt and watchful the fame may be verified among ourselves. When the gretn hills of Erin were reddened with the blood of our martyred fathers, and when mockery and derition awaited the profession of the faith, very few nominal Catholics were to be found. If the sacrifices of the altar were offered in pewter chalicsin those days, the hearts of the faith-

ful were of gold. Now that full liberty is accorded us, and that to be a Catholic is the proudest title in religion a man can hold, it would be ill-befitting if our life were not in keeping with the honored name we bear, and if as a counterpart to the golden chalice we would find little better than worthless and corrupt alloy in unfaithful hearts. Again it must not be forgotten that the river of progress runs with a rapid course in our Australian Commonwealth. If we wish religion to continue in its beneficent career of victory, we must not remain stationary on the banks of the swift-flowing stream. We must krep pace with the nation's onward course, thus to sanctify its aspirations, and to set the seal of heaven on its triumpbp. I muft not omit to tbank you, our fellow-citizen p, who are not of the fold, for the uniform oourtepy and practical aid with which you have co operated in many of our works of charity. If there be some who continue to heap oblcqny and calumny on theCa'holic Church we must compassionate them, dupes as they are of old-time prejudicf s, or victims of the wiles of evil-designing men. To such prejudices and such wiles must be imputed that the joys and consolations of a truly Christian life and the virtues of the Catholic home, and the ideals and enthusiasms which religion inspires, are too often quite unintelligible to those who are not of the fold. The greatest need of Australia is to maintain Peace, Charity, and Concord among her Citizens. To develop her resources and mature her strength she needs the energies of all. Strife, dissension, and discord would be the prelude of her ruin. Permit me to give expression to one other thought. A few years ago the great Pontiff who guides the barque of St. Peter, addressed to all Christian peoples the grand Encyclical on the Reunion of Christendom. In the English-speaking world it has begun already to produce the happiest results, and many distinguished names have been added to the long roll of those who mad e_ the sacrifice of everything that the world holds dear that they might follow the guidance of heavenly light into the one true fold of our Blessed Lord. Would it be too much to hope that the new century on which we have just entered may witness the realisation of the great Pontiff's hopes, and see all Christendom once more reunited under the one banner cf Holy Cross. Such a consummation would be worthy of an enlightened age, and would make this 20th century a truly golden epoch in the world's history. And is it too much to hope that Australia may be privileged to have some part in attaining such a grand result 1 The yearning of the hearts not only of the faithful children of the Church, but of countless earnest souls outside her communion would thus be realised, and Australia would unquestionably have begun to enter on the marvellous beneficent career which Providence has marked out for her as a centre of renewed Christian civilisation and a beacon of heavenly light to the other nations of the world. Those who now assail the Church would then find realised in the fullest measure the aspirations of their hearts in the sentiments so beautifully expressed by Cardinal Newman: — 'Oh, long-sought-after, tardily found, desire of the eyes, joy of the heart, the truth of many shadows, the fulness after many foretastes, the home after many storms ; come to her, poor wanderers, for she it is, and she alone, who can unfold the meaning of your being and the secret of your destiny.' ARRIVAL IN MELBOURNE. The express by which his Eminence travelled to Melbonrne was three-quarters of an hour late in arriving. On alighting the Cardinal was warmly welcomed by a large number of the hierarchy, clergy, and laity. Amongst those on the platform were his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourre, his Lordship the Bishop of Ballarat, his Lordship the Bishop of Bendigo, and bis Lordship the Bishop of Sale. No time was lost in getting ready for the drive to Port Melbourne pier, where the RMS. Ophir was awaiting the arrival of his Eminence. Two open carriages conveyed the Cardinal, the Archbishop, the Bit-hops, Dean PheJan, and Archdeacon Davy to Port Melbourne. As the advertised time for the departure of the mail boat had been exceeded, owing to the lateness of the arrival of the express, Captain Kershaw, of the Ophir, waa reluctantly compelled to let the steamer go within 15 minutes of the embarkation of the Cardinal.