Presentation to Dean Burke

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 11, 14 March 1907, Page 23

Presentation to Dean Burke

(From our Special Reporter.) On Saturday, the 9th inst., a presentation was made to Dean Burke, at St. Mary's presbytery, Invercargill, on behalf of the clergy of the diocese. Monsignor Q'Leary, who presided at the function, explained that, having heard on the previous day that the Dean meant to leave for Melbourne by Monday's • steamer, en route to the Holy Land, and half suspecting that it was a ruse to avoid further" attentions at the hands of his (the Dean's) friends, he (the speaker) realised that there was nothing for it but to come to Invercargill and disoharge , ,■ the duty confided to him. It would net to in accordance with the spirit of union that existed for many years among the priests of the diocese if the Dean were allowed to slip away without receiving -some tangible proof of the kindly feelings entertained for him, by his fellowpriests. There were special .reasons for honoring the' Dean, apart from those common to all working in a diocese of unique surroundings such as this. The Dean's learning and dialectic skill had been used by him, to excellent effect in repelling false charges 'against our Holy Church. In this he was fighting our battles, and so determined was he that truth should prevail, that he did not hesitate to incur a heavy expense in order that he "might have the final blow in a lristoi*c controversy, which was getting too hot for the friends of his opponent. On many occasions Ms eloquence was readily placed at the service of his fellow-priests in connection with the inauguration of various parochial and diocesan works. Besides this, he. had developed an architectural taste that resulted in the 'Imposing and unique Basilica upon which they were now gazing. With truth might "it be said; ' Si monumentum quaeris circumspice.' The presence, of such a monument to. the Dean's enterprise and the people's generosity must necessarily, have the effect of ra : sim: the status of the Catholic body" in this important centre • and surrounding country. For these and many other reasons I>»e priests of the diocese unanimously resolved that the occasion should he availed of to wish the Dean "Godspeed and a_ safe return after his trip, and to ask his

acceptance of the accompanying purse of sovereigns as a token 1 , however inadequate, of the feelings of respect and good will entertained for him. Father o,'Neill (Milton) - and Father O'Donnell (GoreX also spoke in terms of praise of their departing confrere and wished him •' bon voyage.' The Dean, in acknowledging his gratitude for the kindly, and unexpected proof of good feeling thus givenby his brother priests, assured those present that his change of plan in regard to his departure was solely with a view of getting to the Holy Land at the most suitable time of the year. He valued the good opinion of his- colleagues in the ministry too highly to enterta-im for a moment the idea of 'frustrating their kindly intentions in his regard. It was the conviction, which had been often borne in on him, that we are a solidly united body in this diocese,' which had encouraged him in his work and enabled him to forget the worries inseparable from laboring in a diocese such as this. Our differences of 'views on various matters were freely and franWly expressed and left no sting or bitterness to mar the "friendly intercourse that had always existed in the past, and which 'he hoped would continue in the distant future. He was going out into the wide university of the world 'to visit places famous in the world of letters. He trusted he would benefit by his travels, and when he returned he would be most happy to he of use to his clerical friends by giving them the' 'benefit of his experiences in wlhatever fcrm would 'be mjost desirable. - He would be able to assure friends in Ireland of the splendid spirit of love for the Fatherland that characterised 'both priests and people in the Dunedin diocese. He would always hear with him the kindest memories of their relations in' the past, and look forward to a happy renewal of those relations on his return. He thanked them most 'cordially for the thoughtfulness that prompted this latest action, which, however, he assured them was not at all necessary to convince him of their good will towards him. Fathers Delany and O'Malley were present, and joined in wishing the departing Dean a happy trip. It is understood that Dean Burke intends to visit the Holy Land, Italy, and Germany. He does not expect to arrive in Ireland till the end of June.