Notes

New Zealand Tablet, 24 August 1911, Page 1638

Notes

Cardinal Moran on New Zealand

As mentioned elsewhere in this issue the late Cardinal Moran visited this country in February, 1886 and again in May, 1896. On the former occasion, in acknowledging the presentation of an address from the Dunedin laity, Cardinal Moran thus voiced his first impressions of New Zealand: | Gentlemen,— beg to return you my sincerest thanks for the beautiful addresses which you have presented, and for the more than cordial welcome which you have accorded me. I must feel for ever grateful to your venerable Bishop for affording me the opportunity of paying this most -agreeable visit to your great Colony. Coming amongst you I anticipated no little treat. I had read a good deal about the unrivalled scenery of your western coasts, of your lakes and mountain ranges. I had heard of the energy, not surpassed by any of the other Australian colonies, with which your citizens had developed the vast mineral and agri cultural resources of this district and, made your fair city the commercial capital of the Colony; but I am happy to confess that the reality has far surpassed my most golden anticipations. I rejoice still more to learn

that in matters of religion you have given no less proof of earnestness and energy than in material things. Your devotedhess to the faith of your fathers, your fervor in piety, your generosity in deeds of charity, your munificence in the cause of religion have merited the highest eulogy, whilst affording abundant proof, if such, were needed, that the Catholics of Dunedin are determined to yield to none of the Australian colonies as loyal yeomen and as Christian, citizens. This spirit of, true piety which pervades the whole Australian Church presents a cheering prospect to those who have at heart the best interests of these colonies and look forward to the bright future which awaits them. Not one of our southern colonies has attained its centenary. Some of them, like your own, have not celebrated their first jubilee. And yet all of them, whilst cherishing loyal affection for the mother countries, assert liberty as their birthright, and, growing in giant strength, display those characteristics which mark out an imperial destiny. And when all this is linked with the earnestness and devotedness to the cause of God which we see around us on every side, may we not rest assured that at no distant day the great Christian principles of social life shall be realised in this southern world ; that it is justice which ennobles a 'nation, and it is truth that makes us free? In the Old World we see many countries smitten by the principles of false Liberalism, sinking in decrepitude or torn by anarchy and social strife. True liberty, heavenly born, is guided by justice, enlightened by truth, inspired by charity. It is mild, it is gentle; it respects the rights of others, it loves peace, it does injury to none. But false Liberalism, inspired by the spirit of lying and iniquity and deceit, assumes the mask of liberty only that it may the more securely enslave its victims. It proclaims liberty of education, that it may do violence to the conscience of Christian parents and may enforce secularism in the schools. It takes for its watchword a free Church in a free State, and yet its whole aim is to enslave the Church under State despotism. It emblazons equality on its banners, but it is the equality of communism the equality of crime, the equality of slavery. It assails the one true equality by which as children of the common Father we kneel at the one altar to offer the homage of the heart to God, and respecting each others rights, extend brotherly affection and true charity to all. At the present day false Liberalism offers its worship to Reason and exalts human nature as divine. The Catholic Church casts down these idols of self worship.' We adore God, and Him alone. We honor Reason and human nature as created by God : but we honor at the same time Revelation, a gift divinely given us as the guide of Reason ; and we honor the Church, the depository of sacramental graces which alone can elevate and sanctify and ennoble our nature in its fallen state. If the Church is ever on the battlefield, ever engaged in warfare, it is because she is ever assailed- by false Liberalism. She is the guardian of Truth, and false Liberalism wages war against Truth. She is the guardian of Virtue, and false Liberalism would trample upon Virtue. She guards the children so loved by our blessed Lord, and false Liberalism ever seeks to enslave those children and lead them enchained as captives at the chariot of its triumph. But true liberty is the best ally of holy Church, a pillar of support to her whilst she fulfils her heavenly destiny, which is, as the Apostle teaches, ‘to renew all things in Christ.’ In the spirit of this liberty, we are generous and indulgent towards those who do not share our views. Divine hope is our breastplate of defence against every enemy that assails us. Charity is the weapon of our warfare. No matter how violent may be the storm that rages around us, our heart shall not fail, for our confidence is not on earth, but in heaven. The words of the Apostle ar.e the charter of our hope: ‘ This is the victory which conquereth the world, our faith.’ Again, gentlemen, I beg to thank you.” *