THE APOSTOLIC DELEGATE

New Zealand Tablet, 25 February 1915, Page 17

THE APOSTOLIC DELEGATE

HIS ARRIVAL IN SYDNEY. . His Excellency Archbishop Cerretti, Apostolic Delegate to Australasia, arrived in Sydney at an early hour on Monday, February 8. He left Rom© on November 18, landed at New York, and proceeded to Washington, where he was formerly auditor to Cardinal Falconio, then Apostolic Delegate to the United States, and thence on to San Francisco, at which port he embarked on the Ventura for Sydney. His voyage was pleasant throughout. The Ventura arrived in Sydney at a much earlier hour than was anticipated ; therefore his Excellency was not met at Watson’s Bay by the welcoming authorities, as intended. However, he was warmly greeted so soon as the steamer berthed alongside the wharf at Darling Harbor by his Grace the Archbishop of Sydney, some of the clergy, and Captain d’Apice, representing the State Governor. Immediately after having been welcomed to Sydiiey, his Excellency was driven to Fort Macquarie, whence ho was conveyed by launch to the Archbishop’s Palace at Manly. Later in the morning, after he had rested, his Excellency met a number of prelates and priests, who were introduced by Archbishop Kelly, among those present being his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne, his Grace Archbishop Duhig (Brisbane), and their Lordships Bishop Gallagher (Goulburn), Bishop Shiel (Rockhampton), and Bishop Dunne (Wilcannia). Later on his Excellency was the guest of honor at luncheon, which was served at the Archiepiscopal residence. The Archbishop of Sydney presided at the luncheon, and pointed out that the welcome they had that day extended to his Excellency was more or less informal, and merely a prelude to the reception to be accorded him by the clergy and laity on the following Saturday. He assured his Excellency that there would be no lack of warmth in that welcome. They had done their best with so little time at their disposal to show their personal regard for the Apostolic Delegate, and their great reverence for the high office to which he had been appointed by the Holy Father, and they accorded him the heartiest of hearty welcomes to Australia, and hoped that he would find all blessings and happiness while here. ‘ I was auditor to the delegation at Washington when I received my appointment in April of last year,’ said his Excellency, in the course of an interview granted to a representative of the Catholic Press, ‘ and I left for Italy in June to be consecrated Archbishop of Corinth in July. ‘ The idea of the Holy Father when he decided upon sending an Apostolic Delegate to Australia,’ he added, ‘ was to bring this great country of yours on a level with other nations which have delegations. His Holiness recognised that this is a nation growing rapidly to greatness ; that its people are tolerant and of high intelligence, and that the magnificent work of the clergy here was deserving of special recognition. The present Pope fully concurred in the wisdom of the decision arrived at by the late Holy Father, Pius X. Yes, he gave me a message: “ Tell the people of Australia,” he slid, “that the Holy Father sends his special blessing mo them, and wishes that God’s choicest gifts shall fall “upon their grand country.” His Holiness, I can assure you, feels more than ordinary interest . for this wide continent. And he knows that there are no more loyal and devoted Catholics than those of this country. ‘ The Delegation will supervise the maintenance of Church discipline and policy in Australia. I am but the servant of his Holiness. If I do honor to my honorable office I shall do honor to the Holy See. It is an ecclesiastical mission, purely, and has nothing whatever to do with politics. ‘ The Delegation’s work It will generally supervise and see to the due and proper observance of ecclesiastical discipline, and direct, with the aid of the Bishops, the work of the Church. It will do all possible, Australian circumstances fully considered, to co-operate with the Bishops for the true advancement of religion.

It is true that I have special powers that some other Bishops do, not possess, but those powers will only be exercised after consultation. " I have come not to interfere or impede the Bishops of Australia, but to aid them in every possible way,' to work with them, and to seek their advice. I may find alterations or improvements in administration necessary according to my way of thinking, but before I do anything I shall seek to learn the experience and views of the prelates here, and decide according to what our common counsel suggests is best for all. / Matters which may not be conventional in the administration of the Catholic Church elsewhere may prove to be the only possible way of doing things here,’ said his Excellency, in answer to a question. ‘ Everything will be considered according to circumstances. The Delegation will supervise—that is what it is forbut it will do so in a manner that, I trust, will bind us closer to the Holy See. ‘ Diocesan and parochial affairs that used often be referred to Rome for decision will now Be settled here instead. That, I should think, will be a great .advantage, saving time, and often anxiety. In a country so far away from the centre of authority this should be regarded as most important. In all affairs that are purely Australian decisions will be given here. Only matters of peculiar gravity which may have a worldwide effect, even though emanating locally, will have to be referred to the Vatican. Australian affairs will be considered in Australia, and nothing will be decided without local circumstances being fully considered. ‘ I snail not travel Australia all the year round, although I will need occasionally to visit every centre to enable the Delegation to have sufficient information to deal in a general way with questions affecting prelates, clergy, and laity. 1 have no doubt of the cordial cooperation of all Australian prelates and priests for the advancement of the Church. My permanent residence will be in Sydney, where the Delegation will be carried on. My first visit will be to Melbourne. I will be here for some weeks before visiting Melbourne, however, I suppose. That, however, lies largely in the hands of Archbishop Kelly and other prelates. I am in Manly for the present only. His Grace will need his palace for himself, most likely, and I shall reside elsewhere. ' No; I have brought no staff, but I will have an auditor or consultor, and an official secretary. For the present, I will manage with only a secretary. This post 1 have given to the Rev. Father Ormond, of Auckland, New Zealand. I appointed him by wireless on the voyage over from America, and received his acceptance. Father Ormond is now a" priest in Auckland. He used to study at the Propaganda College in Rome, and I have heard him highly praised.’