THE CHURCH IN NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Tablet, 2 August 1917, Page 28

THE CHURCH IN NEW ZEALAND

HISTORICAL NOTES. In "Pulpit Pictures," published in 1874, Thomas Bracken (poet, politician, and journalist) thus describes the late revered Bishop Moran : "Like some venerable oak standing apart from its mates of the forest, and looking down with scorn on the bold young saplings that have encroached upon its domain, the Church of Rome stands proudly alone, nursing her traditions and clinging fondly to the memories of her former grandeur. The mighty culverins of modern thought war before her ancient gates and thunder against her olden walls, and the fierce bolts of infidelity rattle through her lofty battlements, but she moves not from her post. The shafts of scepticism sweep through her most penetrable portals, and the voice of progress calls on her to 'Advance with the times,' but she stirs not from her vantage ground. Encased in the armour of an immovable faith, she laughs at the wisdom of the world and hurls defiance at her opponents. It is not my intention to examine into the strength or weakness of the position she maintains. She has fearless foes and skilful defenders, and to these and those will I leave the controversial war. The insurgent forces arrayed against her are firm of heart and strong of hand, but she has able generals and faithful soldiers in her camp, who are ever ready toyman her ramparts and defend her forts. This outlying position of hers, on the shores of the Pacific, is commanded by an unflinching captain who fights her battles with the zeal of a Montalembert and the chivalry of an Admirable Crichton. The Catholic Church has no more earnest champion or faithful son than the Most Rev. Dr. Moran, Bishop of Dunedin. As a pulpit orator Bishop Moran occupies a respectable position. lie is seldom eloquent, but always logical. Catholic preachers, as a rule, appeal more to the sympathies and feelings of their hearers than to their intellect. Catholics embrace the doctrines of the Church because they believe her to be the only witness of Chris! upon earth, and therefore their pastors do not consider it necessary to enter upon argumentative theology. Dr. Moran. however, is an exception to the rule. With skilful and cunning lofjic, he endeavors to reconcile science with faith, and philosophy with religion. lie is more of a lecturer than a preacher. lie stirs up the intellect with subtle argument, but never allows it to wander from the groove of faith. lie speaks in a cool, calm, and forcible style, and his authoritative manner carries great weight with it. In appearance he is every inch a bishop/ He has a bold, fearless, intellectual face, and a strong, muscular frame, in every movement of which determination and firmness are combined. Me is below the middle height, but when robed in his episcopal vestments his form seems to rise with the dignity of his office, and he appears taller than he really is." In the old-time publication mentioned above, Thomas Bracken referred thus to Father Crowley, one of Dunedin "s earliest pastors, who is no doubt, well remembered by some of St. Joseph's old congregation:—"The subject, of my sketch," stated Bracken, "is a well-trained soldier of Rome. There is no wavering, no doubt, no hesitation about Father Crowley's utterances. Firm in the conviction of the truth of the Church, he proclaims her doctrines boldly, and advocates her cause • fearlessly. He is a young man about the middle height, with a pale, well-formed face. Hard-working, zealous, and active, he is just such a man as the Church requires in a new community where the flock is scattered and her shepherds require to be always on the move. Nurtured carefully in the arms of Mother Church, he clings to her with affection and obeys her mandates with fidelity. Those who are acquainted with him know him to be a warm-hearted, generous gentleman who entertains a kindly feeling for his fellow-men of all creeds. " He is

entitled to take a fair position as preacher. He is fluent but not eloquent.”