THE NEW BISHOP OF BALLARAT

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 25, 22 June 1905, Page 3

THE NEW BISHOP OF BALLARAT

The Right Rev. Dr. Higgins, who was enthroned Bishop of Ballarat on Wednesday, June 7, an account of which appeared in our last issue, is a man distinguished for his wide and varied culture a gracious and winning demeanor, dignified bearing, and forceful character. Ballarat 's new Bishop was foorn in Obunty Meath, and made his first studies at the Navan Diocesan College. In 1858 he entered Maynooth College where he read a very distinguished course. There he was oontemporaiy with a l>and of able men, who have since risen to high distinction in various parts of the world. Amongst these were his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne, the Most Rev. Dr. Carr ; the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Rev. Dr. Walsh'; the Archbishop of Tuam, the Most Rev. Dr. Healy, who were his classfellows ; his Eminence Cardinal Logue, Primate of*"' Ireland ; the Bishops of Clogher, Meath, and others, who were a class lower. From Mayintfoth Dr. Hwg-gins went -on as a missionary, priest in Tullamore for a few years. Subsequently he became a professor, and afterwards president of his Diocesan College. The next change was his appointment as parish priest at DeMn*

In 1880 his Eminence Cardinal Moran, then on a visit to IrelanS, selected Dr, Higgins as Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, and for ten years he laboured with great zeal and success in that archdiocese, winning the admiration and affection of his own people, and the esteem of all classes. Appointed to the See of Rockhampton in 1899, in succession to Dr. Cani, Bishop Higgins took with him to that vast diocese the same untiring energy and misr sionary zeal which had marked his whole career. Rockhampton is a very extensive diocese with a very scattered Catholic population, vet Bishop Higgins knew his people intimately,, visiting* the most remote parts of it at regular intervals. Under the rule of Dr. Higgrns the progress of the Church in Rockhampton was steady and solid. In buildings there were erected something like 27 churches, 12- schools, 9 convents, several presbyteries, etc. The cnief architectural work was the completion of the Cathedral.

Bishop Biggins has a wide knowledge of literature, and in college was also a science scholar of repute. He is a scholarly writer amd an excellent speaker, 'his first public 'utterance at Ballarat being described by the local press as a fine example of oratorical ability. Amongst the most notable articles that have emanated from his pen are ' The Ohuroh of Ireland during the Nineteenth Century,' which was written for and read at the firtt Australian Catholic Congress in Sydney, and a series of articles in tihe ' Australian Catholic Record ' on St. Peter's Episcopacy at Rome. In literature, art, religious matters^ and the courtesies of life, his taste and discernment are umtailingly collect. When travelling by boat or train he is immediately on the best of terms with his fellow-passengers, and chatting away wilh perfect strangers as though they were old acquaintances. Ballarat diocese, which has just lost a Bishop of strong character, who did great and lasting work in his day, is fortunate in coming under the cro/ier of so able and strenuous a prelate as its present ruler.