THE SEE OF ROCKHAMPTON

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 24, 15 June 1905, Page 6

THE SEE OF ROCKHAMPTON

His Grace the Archbishop of Brisbane presided at the meeting of the priests of the diocese of Rockhampton entitled to vote for a successor to Bishop Higgins. The \oting (says the 'Catholic Press ')' resulted as follows :—: — Right Rev. J. D. Murray, 0.5.A., D.D., Vioar-Apos-tolic of Cooktown — Dignissimus ; Very Rev. Father W. J. Walsh (Townsville)— Dignior ; Rev. Father J. Duhig ( Brisbane) — Dignus. The names will be forwarded for the. consideration of the Holy See, and the appointment will be made by his Holiness the Pope within a few months. His Lordship Dr. Murray was, like Bishop Higgins, born in Westmeath, and they were schoolboys together. Years later Bishop Murray studied under Dr. Higgins at Navan ; then he joined the Augustinians, and completed his studies at Rome. After his ordination he labored on tho London mission ; then he went to Queensland, where he labored under the late Bishop Hutchinson, in the Cooktown vicariate. He was afterwards appointed prior of the Augustinian monastery at Echuca, where he remained until he was appointed successor to the late Dr. ilutchmson. lie was consecrated Bishop on July 3, 1898, in the Bendigo Cathedral. He is an eloquent preacher The Very Rev. Father Walsh is a native of Clonmel, County Tipperary. On coming to Australia he spent fi\e or six years on the mission in Brisbane. Over twenty years ago he went to Townsville, and has been in charge of that important parish ever since. On the death of Dr C<ani he was appointed administrator of tho diocese, and on the translation of Bishop Higgins: he was appointed to the same responsible position. The climate of North Queensland is said to be deadly, but Father Walsh looks as fresh as any priest in Ireland. No man is more beloved in the diocese. Father Duhig is the youngest priest ever nominated for the Bishopric in Australia lie is only in his thirty-fourth year He is a natne of Limerick, Ireland, but went to Queensland with his mother and some of ihe members of his family when he was quite young. Another brother went to Chicago, where he occupies a distinguished position. A few years ago he was in Australia on a \isit to his family, and the mother died shortly after his denarture. Father Duhig received his early education from the Christian Brothers, Brisbane ; thenoe he went to Rome, where he studied at the Irish College,. under Dr. Kelly, now Coadjutor Archbishop of Sydney. His first mission was in Ipswich, Queensland, where he labored until a few months ae;o, when he was appointed administrator of St Stephen's Cathedral, Brisbane. He is a great organiser, and an able and zealous priest.