Catholicity in N.S. Wales.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 13, 27 March 1902, Page 1

Catholicity in N.S. Wales.

Nothing succeeds like success. A little while ago the good name of the Church in New South Wales was under a cloud and the followers and friends of the old Faith were called upon to go through a period of keenest trial. In good time their patience and faith were rewarded; the enemies of the Church were not only baffled but disgraced; and by the good providence of God the vile scheme, that had been concocted to ruin Dean O'Haran, and through him to strike a deadly blow at Australian Catholicity, was brought utterly to nought. The natural consequence has followed. A strong reaction has set in, and the Church now occupies a surer and higher place in public favor and esteem than ever she did before. This is clearly evidenced by the public expressions of non-Catholic sentiment, which were recently made on the occasion of the departure of Cardinal Moran and Dean O'Hnran for Rome. The unanimity with which the daily papers of Sydney combine to heap eulogiums on the Cardinal as the representative of the Church is quite touching.

The Morning Herald, in a long leader on the Cardinal, writes as follows : ' Cardinal Moran is, if we may without disrespect employ some words from Mr. Kipling, a " first-class fighting man," he is a militant churchman, and in him his coreligipnists have found a leader of courage, force and talent.' And again the Herald says : 'As the historian of his Church, as its first Cardinal in these regions, as a most zealous Archbishop for many years, Cardinal Moran has accumulated claims upon the Roman Catholics of Australia which they ought to honor, and which they do honor.' The Daily Telegraph — which has been very rarely friendly to Catholics — also devotes a leader to the departure of the Cardinal, and the following brief extracts yvill serve to show the cordially-appreciative spirit in which it is written : — 'The approaching departure of Cardinal Moran will remove from the public life of this State one of its most prominent personalities. During the many years of his sojourn in New South Wales it may be doubted whether

any individual member of the community has continuously wielded so great an influence over such a large section of the people. ... If Cardinal Moran is leaving for a more exalted sphere of duty, he will carry with him the best wishes of the Australian community, earned by energetic service in the rough-and-tumble of public life, from which he never selfishly shrank. If his absence is to be but temporary, it can safely be said that all sections of the community will unite in wishing him a safe journey and speedy return.' The two evening papers the News and the Star, join the general chorus. Such extraordinary unanimity is clear proof that the Press are only voicing the general feeling on the occasion, and the strength of the friendly feeling manifested towards the Church is certainly significant. Dean O'Haran bore his sultenngs with exemplary patience and trust in God. The greater honor now shown to the Church is a fitting reward for his faith and fortitude.