REV. P. M. LYNCH, C.SS.R.

New Zealand Tablet, 16 March 1911, Page 491

REV. P. M. LYNCH, C.SS.R.

Catholics all over the Commonwealth (says the Catholic Press) will be sorry to learn that the Rev. Father F. M. Lynch, C.SS.R., will shortly leave Australia. He has just been appointed Superior of the Redemptorist mission in the Philippines Father Lynch is now conducting a great mission in St. Mary’s Cathedral, assisted by Fathers McDermott, McGrath, and O’Sullivan, C.SS.R., and at the close of the mission he will say farewell to Australia. It will be a sad leave-taking, for Father Lynch has done some wonderful work here, and his name is a household word throughout the Commonwealth and New Zealand. About twenty-five years ago Father Lynch left Ireland with the Very Rev. Father O’Farrell, C.SS.R. He had just been ordained deacon by Cardinal McCabe in Dublin, arid was destined for the diocese of Dunedin. On his arrival there he was ordained priest by Bishop Moran. For several years he was administrator of the Cathedral, and for some time he edited the Xew Zealand Tablet. In 1898 he joined the Redemptorist Fathers. He is an eloquent preacher, but, what is even of more importance than eloquence, he has personal magnetism in a singular degree, and has a great influence over men. The work in his new mission will be trying, but Father Lynch has a strong constitution, and, after a _ week’s labors day and night in St. Mary’s, he looks quite fresh, and does not seem to know what it is to be fatigued. At present Father Lynch is Superior of the Redem]?torist Monastery, Waratah. In the Philippines he will be the head of a mission which embraces six islands, with a population of 40,000 Catholics. The monastery is situated at Opong, in the island of Mactan. The natives speak Spanish and a Filipino dialect, Visayan. Father Lynch takes with him Father Mitchell, C.SS.R., of Waratah, and Father Gilmartin, C.SS.R., of New Zealand. - Father O’Sullivan, C.SS.R., who has just come from the Philippines, speaks highly of the people, whose religious customs are delightful. They are passionately fond of music, and bands take part in the celebration of weddings, Baptisms, and Confirmations. The Redemptorist Mission was founded there about six years ago by the late Father Boylan, C.SS.R. (afterwards" Bishop), who was accompanied by the venerable Father O’Farrell, for many years Superior of the

Order •. in Australia. Father O’Sullivan says Father Lynch’s labors will be much handicapped through the want of a. motor boat to take the Fathers from one island to another. We feel sure, however, that before leaving Australia Father Lynch’s many admirers will put him in the way of getting the motor boat.