PEOPLE WE HEAR ABOUT

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLVI, Issue 18, 1 May 1919, Page 35

PEOPLE WE HEAR ABOUT

Right Rev. Austin Dowling, Bishop of Des Moines, who has been appointed successor to the f late Archbishop Ireland as Archbishop of St. Paul, Minnesota, was born in New York City, and spent most of . his childhood in Newport, Rhode Island. He was educated at the Sisters’ Academy there, at Manhattan College, New York City, and at St. John’s Seminary, Brighton, Mass., and was ordained in 1891.

In none of the notices which have appeared in the local press about the late Sir Mark Sykes (says the Catholic Herald of India ) is there any mention of the fact that the deceased owed the vigor and splendor of his personality to an education Catholic in each sense of the word. Mark Sykes developed a robust character at Beaumont, the Ecole des Jesuites, Monaco, and the Institut St. Louis, Brussels, before he went to Cambridge (Jesus College). He succeeded to 34,000 English acres and a corresponding rent-roll, but he preferred the life of a traveller and explor'd*. He knew every inch of the Near East and was an authority on the Turk and his ways. Recent history in Palestine also owes much to him. It is noteworthy that his wife, the third daughter of Sir John Gorst, is a convert to the faith, like his mother, who was a daughter of Right Hon. George Cavendish-Bentinck, M.P. Sir Mark Sykes was a vigorous Catholic. Character was his driving power, and he discharged his obligations to Church and State faithfully.

The death is announced of the Right Rev. Mgr. McManus, late Vicar-General of the diocese of Dublin and parish priest of St. Catherine’s, Meath Street. Few in recent times have passed from out the ranks of the Dublin clergy followed by such reverent and widespread regret as Monsignor McManus, His rich intellectual gifts, his deep and varied scholarship, his many accomplishments, and his refined and elevating tastes, made for him an easy way and a. welcome to every cultured section of the whole civic community ; while his genial good nature, his bright spirits, and his wide human sympathies suffused with a mellow glow all his gifts, and set them warm and helpful at the service of the hearts of the lowliest and the least. Monsignor McManus was a native of Dublin City, and he loved to tell of sweet memories of his childhood, when he ministered in the sacred services of the yet incompleted Pro-Cathedral. His memory went back very far, for he was born in 1827. He was a young man, with a sweet voice, when O’Connell’s funeral passed from the Pro-Cathedral to Glasnevin amidst the tears of a nation. He passed through the shadows, and he tasted the sorrows of the famine of “black ’47.” Father McManus was for 11 years parish priest of Celbridge. His name is fondly remembered there still. He had been 45 years parish priest of St. Catherine’s, Meath Street, where he was beloved by the people, and. scarcely less by the whole community of whatever religious persuasion. In 1903-4 his Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Walsh appointed Canon McManus one of his Vicars-General, and obtained for him from the Holy See the further dignity of Domestic Prelate to the Holy Father.

There have been famous Presidential Secretaries, but Mr. Tumulty (President Wilson’s Catholic Secretary) has lived through the most famous times, and alone has shared in the making of history (says the Universe). His name with Wilson’s will go down together in the future. His knowledge of American politics is acute, and he must know the insides of diplomacy by now. His position is more confidential than that of a diplomat, and his influence not less than a Cabinet appointment. The bore, the curious, the pick-gossip are no match for Mr. Tumulty, He is to b© found any morning in the annex of , the White House dealing swiftly and laconically with a huge correspondence, and even more so with the crowd of visitors’ from the Congress or from the backwoods. Quickly he passes one out \ and commences conversation with an-

other as he crosses the room. ’ Quickly 'he assorts requests and ‘ assimilates information. ' There is no time for shyness or introductions. He knows the American Who’s Who in a way no other does, and a good deal beside. His interviews are cut up into' three and five minute sections. The only person he sees for any real length of time is the President. The hews that is most likely to ; hold him engrossed, after war news, is. promising, news ' from Ireland. “ A wise' speech from Devlin or Dillon, or a letter from Sir Horace Plunkett Brings that - curious look into his eyes which may, be noticed in American statesmen when there is a serious reference to the Irish question. For a moment the keen eyes are set and his fine brow bends over the paper. If it is of the slightest real interest he folds it up and keeps it before he passes on to the next. A few days later the greatest man in the world may or may not have glimpsed it, but who can tell ? And Tumulty never tells!

His Excellency the Apostolic Delegate has received a cable from the Vatican conveying the gratifying announcement that his Holiness Pope Benedict XV. had been pleased to appoint the Rev. Father W. Barry, of Chatswood, Coadjutor-Archbishop of Hobart. The Most Rev. Dr. W.. Barry, Archbishop-elect of Hobart, was born in Midleton, Co. Cork, in 1872. In 1889 he commenced his studies for the priesthood in the College of Fermoy, Cork, and in September, 1892, he entered All Hallows College, Dublin. On June 24, 1898, he. was ordained for the Sydney diocese, and arrived there in October of the same year. His first appointment was to St. Mary’s Cathedral, where he remained fox' 12 years as assistant, and in charge of St. Coluxxxbkille’s, and subsequently St. Canice’s, Elizabeth Bay. He was appointed to Chatswood in 1910, where he has remained ever since. At an early stage of his career, he gave promise of the brilliant qualities which now fit him to fill the high office which the Holy See has now entrusted to him. He had a distinguished course in All Hallows College, Dublin, whex’e he was associated with Dr. Roche, the present Archbishop of St. John’s, Newfoundland. He was noted as a remarkably successful organiser whilst at St. Mary’s Cathedral. He is a most eloquent preacher, and gave evidence of remarkable tact and prudence in all works of adxxxixxistratioxx. Tie is the possessor* of a fine tenor voice, and used to lead in the Gregorian chant at the Offices in the Cathedral. During the time he was stationed at St. Mary’s Cathedral he was chosen by the late Cardinal Moran for many missions which required tact and zeal. About 10 years ago he paid a visit to Norfolk Island at the request of the late Cardinal, to visit the Catholics there, and renew their spirit ,of religious fervor. On that occasion he succeeded remarkably well in his mission, and when he left the island he carried away with him the unbounded esteem and affection of all. He has filled the office of chaplain of Darlinghursb Gaol, and has also been associated with the work of ! the navy. He has acted as secretary to various organisations, such as St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, and Australian fairs for the completion of the Cathedral. He took an active part in the third Catholic Congress in Sydney, and, under the administration of the Right Rev. Mgr. O’Haran helped very materially in the success of many movements carried on there during the time of the late CardinalArchbishop.