Sydney Welcomes Archbishop Mannix

New Zealand Tablet, 25 August 1921, Page 30

Sydney Welcomes Archbishop Mannix

The extraordinary demonstration of welcome tendered to his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne by the citizens of Sydney yesterday morning (says the Sydney Freeman of August 11), when he arrived by the Brisbane mail, was a revelation to the whole community, and astonished even that cultured ■ prelate by the warmth of its enthusiasm. In fact, his Grace was impelled in St. Mary’s Cathedral, when replying to the address of welcome, to say: “I fear my own people in Melbourne, no matter how much they wish, could scarcely be able to come up to the welcome Sydney has given me.” And certainly the rejoicings of the people and the scenes at the Railway Station on the arrival of the train, as well as the triumphant march through George, Park, and College Streets, were as unique as they were astonishing. It seemed that from 11 o’clock until the big procession passed that the business thoroughfares had suspended all commercial operations. At every window, in shop doors, and from every point of vantage, there were to be seen men and women, girls and boys, patiently waiting for the approach of the motor-car containing Archbishop Mannix. It was indeed a glowing tribute to the popularity of that great leader of democracy, and a remarkable example of the esteem in which he is held by all classes in the community. The Westmead Boys’ Band played patriotic airs as the procession moved off from the station, and the sturdy Australian lads won encomiums along the route for their display. Along the streets the police motor-car and the mounted Diggers found it somewhat of a difficulty to clear a passage through the crowds. It was the same along Park Street. Still, the people were good-humored and ready to give applauseto the smart boys from the Catholic schools as to their elders. One picturesque feature of the procession was the number of members of the Cumann na' Mban (ladies’ section of the Irish National Association), headed by a fine Sinn Fein flag, and these ladies later formed the guard at the Cathedral. Another notable incident was the guard of honor which young Australia provided in College Street as the Archbishop passed. From these sturdy lads came the most enthusiastic of welcomes, gracefully acknowledged by Dr. Mannix. And so it was all along the streets. Sydney truly had its “Dr. Mannix Day,” and all seemed to rejoice at the return of the illustrious Victorian prelate.

At the Cathedral

At the Cathedral, which had been crowded to the doors hours before, Archbishop Mannix was welcomed by his Grace the Archbishop of Sydney, attended by the Bishop of Maitland (Dr. Dwyer), the Rev. Father P. J. Murphy, Adm., and Rev. Father Crowley, a procession was formed, and, preceded by students of St. Patrick's College, the ecclesiastical party entered St. Mary's, the Archbishops took their places on the sanctuary. The Te Deum was then intoned by his Grace Archbishop Kelly, the responses being made by the choir of Manly students. Practically every parish in the archdiocese was represented. The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart were in full force, as well as the Franciscan Fathers, the Jesuits, and the Marounites. Along with the Marist Fathers, the Vincentians, the Bishops of the State were the VicarGeneral of Sydney, the Right Rev. Monsignor P. L. Coonan, P.P., P.A.; the Right Rev. Monsignor D. O'Haran, P.P., P.A., Right' Rev. Mgr. Moynagh, V.F., P.A., Right Rev. Monsignor T. Hayden (President of St. Patrick's College), Right Rev. Monsignor P. McDermott, P.P., Right Rev. Monsignor P., Byrne, P.P., V.F.; Right Rev. Monsignor J. o'Gorman, P.P.

Address from the Clergy of Sydney B^?SK

At the close of the Te Deum his Grace Archbishop Kelly ascended the pulpit and read the following address

The Address

May it, please your Grace.— the Archbishop, with the clergy, secular and regular, of tho archdiocese of Sydney, wish to associate ourselves with the host of Australian friends of all creeds, who celebrate with joy and thanksgiving your Grace's home-coming. The extraordinary circumstances which conspired to prevent you from visiting your native land, and from seeing once again your aged mother, awakened in us an indignation and a sympathy which it would bo cowardly to leave unexpressed. We will not intrude on the political field; but we fail to see why your Grace should not share in the world-wide chorus of acclamation which greeted the protests of Cardinal Mercier against the invaders and oppressors of his native Belgium. We recognise in you a churchman and a patriot of the same stock. A time is coming, slowly, perhaps, but surely, when your own work in the cause of liberty and democracy will receive a recognition as wide and enthusiastic as that of the Belgian Cardinal. Meanwhile, we look forward confidently to the achievement in the near future of that self-determination for Ireland of which you have been so able and so dauntless a champion. It will bo indeed poetic justice if the legislation of Great Britain should give final sanction to a settlement which a narrow and intolerant section in Australia would make it "disloyal" to advocate. We feel that we might easily and justly say more than this; but the prospect of a permanent solution of the age-old Irish question imposes a responsibility on Irishmen, as well as on Australians, to avoid at this juncture even the appearance of sectional recriminations. With renewed cordial greetings from the Sydney' clergy, which are not less warm than those that await you amidst your own flock.

Signed on behalf of the clergy of Sydney—

►PMichael, Archbishop of Sydney

P. L. Coonax, Vicar-General.

M. J. O'Reilly, Peter J. Murphy, Secretaries.

Archbishop Mannix's Thanks

His Grace the Archbishop, in the. course of an admirablo address, after referring to the grand demonstration, said that it surpassed anything of which he could have dreamed in his most sanguine moments, and the scene which ho had witnessed in the capital of the Commonwealth was one that could never fade from his memory. He had only one regret in regard to the honor done to him in Sydney, and that was that he feared his own people in Melbourne, no matter how they wished to succeed, could scarcely come up to the welcome Sydney had given to him. The powers that be in Australia and the powers that be in the centre of the Empire have only themselves to thank for the welcome which awaited him. His Grace was not vain enough to take the demonstration in the streets or in their Cathedral as a personal compliment to himself. He knew quite well that it had a much wider significance and meaning. He was also aware that the demonstration in the Cathedral was not by any means a political demonstration. If it were, the Archbishop of Sydney and his clergy would not take a prominent part in it. He was not a politician. They were not politicians, and the welcome which came to him from the Archbishop of Sydney, his clergy and people, and many who did not acknowledge their jurisdiction, had no political significance; but rather, it came from those who, whatever may be their politics, believed in a just, honest man who stood by his principles;; and where there is a good cause he should give*, it a helping hand. That was the sense in which he accepted their wonderful demonstration in Sydney, and in that sense and in that significance he accepted the address which the Archbishop was kind enough to read. '

Continuing, the Archbishop said that perhaps there was another motive for which the Archbishop of Sydney was anxious to pay him tribute on his return. Australia, was faithful, to the Supreme Pontiff in Rome. He was glad to be able to assure his Holiness that nowhere throughout* his great spiritual empire had he more staunch or loyal children than he had in Australia, and in that respect 1 the Archbishop of Sydney and prelates had always

shown the way." Were not his Grace's predecessors, all of them, attached to Rome, but none more so than the venerated Archbishop of to-day.

His Grace then explained the paternal affection of the Pope for Ireland, and his letter of affection to the Primate, as well as his gift of money to the people; and then went on to describe the affectionate greeting he had received from the Pope, and his Holiness' offer to use diplomatic channels so that his Grace might visit his native land. But he had too much respect for his Holiness to expose him to the danger of receiving a rebuff from the British Government.

At the close of an interesting address, his Grace paid a graceful tribute to the Archbishop of Sydney, and said that, as he was going to share his jurisdiction with another, he hoped that this relief would enable Archbishop Kelly to prolong his days for God's Church and its people, and that God would bless them and his clergy. "My prayer would always be," said Dr. Mannix, "that God would give them every blessing and strength, and enable them to help the weak and oppressed in Australia or in Ireland."

At the close of Archbishop Mannix's address he held an informal reception in the Cathedral and sacristy, and was heartily cheered as he made his way to the presbytery.

The following is a report of Dr. Mannix's address at Brisbane:

Dr. Mannix was again cheered as he rose to respond to the welcomes which had been extended to him. He said: —■

"I would be very hard indeed to move if I were not touched by the welcome that I have already received on [my .-return to my adopted home of Australia. (Cheers.) It began at Thursday Island, and I believe if I had 'visited Friday Island it would have been the same. (Laughter and applause.) Then there was the reception I received at Townsville, and now comes Queensland's crowning welcome in your own beautiful city of Brisbane. I need scarcely assure. you that I shall never forget the warmth of the welcome that you have accorded me. (Applause.) I have been a long time absent from Australia, but never a day has passed that I did not think of ,the friends I had in this land, and I sometimes wondered whether they were thinking of me. (Laughter.) Now that I have put that thought to the test, Brisbane .has to-day, so to speak, been put on its mettle, and Brisbane has rung true. (Cheers-.) I thank you for the demonstration, the like of which I have rarely seen. I shall remember as long as I live, and remember with gratitude, what I owe to those who have organised this magnificent reception, and especially to those who have, at great inconvenience to themselves, enabled many others to come here and give welcome to one of the most slandered and maligned, though innocent, of men." (Laughter and ap-

plause.) The Archbishop here made lengthy reference to the death of Mr. T. J. Ryan, M.H.R., and said that he himself had suggested to the organiser of that day's function that it should be abandoned'. The contention had been advanced, however, that if Mr. Ryan himself could be consulted, he would be the last man to favor any abandonment of the welcome.

The Oath of Allegiance

"Some people have been scarcely expecting me," he proceeded. "When I was leaving Sydney on my voyage to Great Britain, I experienced some difficulty in getting through the crowds as I was proceeding to the whorf. This led me to say that I had tried to get away without the help of the Government, and probably I will have to get back in spite of them. (Laughter.) Some of them thoughtbecause even in this intelligent land you will find very foolish and futile people — if I were allowed to land I should take the oath of allegiance, and, in default of that, I should be sent overseas again to find a home in any country which might give me shelter.

"I have even been told that two officers went as far as Thursday Island —one from Brisbane and the other from Melbourne. It is. stated that they went up there for the purpose of giving, me a greeting of one kind or another. It has since been explained that they went up there because they were experts in the pearl-fishing industry. (Laughter.)" Some people have come to think

that I was the most precious pearl of any, and that when the officers had found me they would not throw me away for anything else in the world. (Laughter and applause.) Other people say that these officers did not go.to help the pearl-fishing industry, but they went Up to Thursday Island in connection with the smuggling of some contraband articles into Australia.

"Pirate of Penzance"

"But had they been looking for smugglers at all — they were probably looking for the Pirate of Penzance. Penzance was where they landed me from the British destroyer, which took me ashore from the vessel on which I was travelling towards Great Britain about twelve months ago. (Laughter and applause.)

"I do not believe any of these things. I prefer to believe that the Australian Government had more sense than some of its supporters. (Hear, hear.) All I should like to say in connection with the matter is that if they have shown more sense now than on other occasions, I hope and pray that the improvement will continue. (Renewed laughter.)

"If they had attempted to administer an oath of allegiance to meand T doubt if it could be legally administered to me —and if there was any necessity for it being administered to me, and if it were being administered to everybody else, I should not have the least objection to taking an oath of allegiance to Australia and the King of Australia, who lives in London." (Laughter.) .

A voice: What about Billy Hughes as King of Australia.

"More Loyal than my Enemies"

"If they were to ask me to take an oath of allegiance," continued the Archbishop, "to the King of England, who is called Defender of the Faith, King of Ireland, and a number of other titles, then I would have to begin searching my conscience. Things which brought up those questions I would have to,consider very carefully. (Laughter.) I am glad that no necessity for their consideration arose. I want to declare that 1 am loyal to Australia, more loyal than my enemies are. (Cheers.) As an Australian, I put Australia before every other country, no matter where it is. This is what I have always preached, -and it is what I shall preach for the future. Anybody who can find fault with that is a bad Australian and should have the oath of allegiance administered to him. (Laughter and applause.)

"I know," the Archbishop proceeded to say, "that what you wish me to talk about is not Australia or the Government of Australia, but something about Ireland. (Cheers.) Now, if the circumstances were different, I should take this unique opportunity to give any views that I have upon Ireland's tragedy and future. But just at this present moment negotiations are going on between President de Valera(cheers) —and Prime Minister Lloyd George."

Lloyd George Hooted

A section of the crowd commenced to hoot the name of Britain's Prime Minister, but they were inerru*pted by the Archbishop, who said: "Don't waste any demonstration on them!"

"De Valera," said the Archbishop, as he recommenced his address, "is keeping his own counsel, and therefore T think that the lesser peoplpe in this movement should follow his example. No man should do anything or say anything which would make the course of those negotiations more difficult, so that if the negotations were to fail the blame could rest upon the proper head. I hope and pray that these negotiations now going on may provide a settlement; and, as Mr. Theodore said, a settlement honorable to Ireland, and a settlement which, at the same time, will provide every legitimate interest of the British Empire. (Applause.) I believe now, and have always believed, that if there were only a conciliatory disposition on both sides, a settlement of that nature could have been arrived at long ago. We are glad that the first step towards is has perhaps been taken in the proclamation of the truce in Ireland." , ~

Dr. Mannix defended the Irish leaders, and said that he personally was "unchanged and unrepentant" for any thing he had said or done. He also returned thanks for the cheque, which would be forwarded to Ireland as soon as was found possible.' \ ; '."'.' - *

Napier

(Prom our own . correspondent.)

August 17.

The devotions for the Triduumin honor of the 15th centenary of St. Jerome were well attended here. Short and interesting instructions on the Bible were given on Friday and Saturday evenings by Rev. Father Tymons and on Sunday evening a sermon on St. Jerome and his work was preached by Rev. Father Clancy.

On Monday, August 8, an old identity of Hawke's Bay; Mr. J. J. Browne, died in Napier at the age of 85. The deceased was born in Donegal, and came to New Zealand 50 years ago. He lived for 40. years in Orniondvillo and was much respected by the settlers there on account of his sterling qualities. During the two years immediately preceding his death Mr. Browne resided in Napier.

Leslie Jeffares, of Tar'adale, met with a tragic death on Monday, August 15. He was employed on road construction work at Wharerata and dropped a crowbar with which he was working on a bank 12 feet above the road. He slid down the bank and became impaled on the bar, which it required the efforts of two strong men to remove. The unfortunate man was brought to town to the hospital, where he succumbed. «

re he succumbed. « A young man named Tinline, of Taradale, also died

during the week after a long illness. Mrs. B. J. Dolan, who has been absent from Napier some 15 months on a visit to tho Old Country, has recently returned.

Nurse Whitmore, who left last week for England, where she intends staying for several months, was farewelled at the Nurses' Club on Sunday evening, August 7.

The results of recent Rugby football matches are as follows:—August B.—Juniors: Marists lost to High School by 16 points to 6; third grade: Marists lost to High School by 9 points to 6; fifth grade: High School v. Marists— match was not played owing to the referee failing to put in an appearance. August 15.—Juniors: Hastings, one of the leading teams, was beaten by Marists by 3 points to nil; fifth grade: Piartes and Marists drew —6 points each. '—

Wanjjanui

(From our own correspondent.)

The Wanganui branch of the Self-Determination for Ireland League continues to meet every week at the Villa Maria, and keen enthusiasm is shown in the cause of Irish freedom. Pamphlets and literature are being' distributed to counteract the misrepresentations about Irish affairs, and every effort is being made to present to the public the true side of the question. At the meeting held on July 1 the chairman (Rev. Father O'Connell) moved a motion of regret at the death of that -eminent Catholic politician and champion of freedom, the Hon. T. J. Ryan. After the formal business of the meeting was concluded prayers were offered up for the happy repose of his soul.

. Qisborne V, . • (From our o\*o correspondent.) The annual convent social in aid of the. Catholic schools will take place shortly, and special efforts are being made to make the affair a financial success.

A meeting of parishioners was held on Sunday to hear the report of the committee of ways and means in re securing a Catholic social hall. The meeting, presided over by Rev. Father Lane, was unanimously enthusiastic, and even if the tender for the Scottish Hall be not successful, the project will.not be allowed to fall through. Messrs. J. J. Martin, H. Martin, and D. J. -Parker were elected official receivers of donations. •

Cambridge

(From our own correspondents

August 18.

Although the climatic conditions > were most unfavorable ; on the evening of , August 4, the euchre party and dance N held in. aid of St. Peter's parish, proved a great success. A euchre tournament was played-in. the supper

room, 16 tables being engaged. Miss Boyer won the ladies' prize and Mr. E. Hart, the gentlemen's. A delicious supper was partaken of during the evening and thoroughly enjoyed. About 80 couples indulged .in-. the dancing, which took place in the To\vn Hall, the music being supplied by Misses Cook, Linstrom, and Wilkinson, and Mr. K. Impett. A guessing competition was won by Master C. Waite. The success of the function, both, financially and socially, is due to the efforts of the energetic committee, viz., Mesdames J. F. Cleary (secretary), A. Wilkinson, Lundon, McAsey, and, Kelly, and the Misses McDevitt.

Timaru

(From our own correspondent.)

August" 15.

The monthly meeting of the men's branch of the Sacred Heart Confraternity was held on the 10th inst., when the address took the form of a dialogue between the Rev. Father Hurley (spiritual director) and Rev. Father Barra on the advantages of such a society in the parish. The devotions comprise Rosary, instruction, hymns, kn<\ Benediction, and the members who attend fully appreciate their privileges. Last Sunday the members approached the Holy Table in a body at the first Mass.

On Sunday night the Rev. Father Barra preached a beautiful sermon on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the presence of a large congregation.

Oamaru (From our own correspondent.) , August 15. Oamaru Catholics have at last had the opportunity of officially welcoming their new Bishop, Dr. Whyte, and one and all are charmed by his Lordship’s 'pleasing personality and gracious manner. During his stay in our midst the Bishop had a busy time of it and he covered practically all the North Otago district, administering the Sacrament of Confirmation at Teschemakers, Windsor Park, Kurow, and Oamaru to more than a hundred children.

The blessing and opening of the new church at Richmond took place on Sunday, August 7, and in spite of the inclement weather there was quite a large congregation. His Lordship Bishop Whyte performed the ceremony, and Oamaru district has thus secured the honor of having the first church consecrated by our new Bishop. Very generous donations, including one of £SOO from Mrs. J. Lynch, have resulted in the church being opened with a debt of only about £SO.

On Wednesday evening, August 10, his Lordship the Bishop was entertained in St. Joseph's Schoolroom at a conversazione and a very pleasant evening was spent in song, story, and social intercourse.

There will be Mass on the 28th at Kurow and Duntroon.