Return of Archbishop Mannix

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLVIII, Issue 35, 1 September 1921, Page 29

Return of Archbishop Mannix

The return of the Most Rev. Dr. Mannix to his Archbishopric was indeed an occasion to be specially marked in the annals of Melbourne (says the Catholic Press for August 18). The reception in his own city was a fitting finale to his triumphal progress from the time he touched Australian soil in the north till he finished his journey in the southern metropolis. Apart from the, influence of his dominant personality, many things had occurred to endear the Archbishop to the members of his flock, not to' speak of those outside,' who recognised him as a great democratic leader. Like another Columcille, he was, though for a very different reason, forbidden to set eyes on his native land; but, again, like Columcille, the very prohibition had the effect of furthering the cause in which he believed, by spreading truth abroad. There is no doubt that Dr. Mannix in England did more effective work for the cause of the people of Ireland than he could have done in Ireland itself. The calumnies heaped upon him by the enemies of the Irish race, and the demand that he should be either kept out of Australia or land only under humiliating conditions, raised feeling to the highest pitch, culminating in the magnificent demonstration of Saturday last.

Reception in Melbourne

The arrangements in Melbourne were most complete. Though there was to be nothing in the nature of a pro-, cession, it was understood there would be a tremendous crowd in Collins Street, along which the Archbishop and party would proceed to the Cathedral. To prevent a block, the line of the street was divided into sections, along which men from the suburban parishes were posted as a guard of honor. About 2 p.m. the crowd began to assemble, and a line just,clear of the tram tracks was kept, each section being marked by a small flag or bannerette. Some of these flags were very beautiful, notably that pf St. Brigid’s, North Fitzroy, in which the words, “St. Brigid’s Welcomes Its Archbishop,” appeared over the Sinn Fein colors and wattle blossoms. This beautiful little banner was the' work of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, North Fitzroy. Sinn Fein colors and flags of green and gold were visible along Collins Street, which, by 3 p.m., appeared to be a mass of people. Some anxiety was felt as to how the Archbishop would get through such a throng; but there was no need for alarm, as the arrangements were perfect, and the people all co-operated in preserving perfect order. A few minutes after the time appointed, 3 p.m., there was a stir in the crowd at the western end of Collins Street, and the Archbishop, Bishops, and others who had arrived by the special train, came steadily on in motor cars, their progress being marked by the cheering and waving of flags as each point was reached. Everything passed off like clock-work, and the crowd closed in behind the procession, and made their way to the Cathedral. The whole of Collins Street was traversed in about 70 minutes. The Archbishop was again back to the Palace on Eastern Hall, and he had received a royal welcome from one of the largest gatherings yet witnessed in Melbourne. It cannot be too strongly emphasised that the gathering was as orderly as it was enthusiastic.

At the Cathedral

The Cathedral was surrounded by a vast throng, the greater number of whom were, of course, unable to gain admission. « After a brief delay, the Archbishop, with the attendant Bishops and clergy, 120 in all, passed through a guard of honor, consisting 1 of members of the St. Patrick’s Society, H.A.C.B. Society, and 1.N.F., in regalia; The following were the visiting prelates who accompanied

Melbourne’s Magnificent Reception

Memorable Scenes of Enthusiasm

the Archbishop: Archbishop Redwood, of Wellington (N.Z.); Archbishop Kelly, of Sydney; Bishop O’Connor, of Armidale; Bishop Gallagher, of Goulburn; Bishop Dwyer, of Wagga; Bishop McCarthy, of Sandhurst (Bendigo); Bishop Foley, of Ballarat.

The Cathedral was completely filled. The chimes pealed out ‘'Home, Sweet Home” as the procession entered the grounds. Though the “To Deum,” in the form of a hymn of thanksgiving or psalm, is sung at feasts all through the ear, it is only on important occasions that it is given as it was on Saturday, when all were assembled to offer thanks for the safe return of the Archbishop to his people. The order was the Archbishop, vested in cappa, and accompanied by the visiting prelates, went from the palace to the front door of the Cathedral. There he was received by the Administrator (Very Rev. Father. Barry), in cope, and the members of the council. After kissing the Crucifix and receiving holy water, he was incensed by Father Barry. He then proceeded to the high altar, while the choir gave the “Ecce Sacerdos.” Prayers were offered, and the anthem of St. Patrick was sung. The “Te Deum” was sung by an augmented choir!

At the conclusion of the ceremonies the Archbishop, accompanied by the visiting prelates, proceeded by motor car to his Grace’s residence, “Raheen,” Kew.

Sunday at the Cathedral: Sermon by Archbishop Barry

Pontifical High Mass was sung in St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday morning at 11 o’clock, by Archbishop Spence, of Adelaide. Archbishop Mannix and visiting prelates were in the sanctuary. Special music was rendered by the choir.

Impressive ceremonial also marked the evening devotions. The Cathedral was crowded. The preacher was the Coadjutor-Archbishop of Hobart, Dr. Barry, whose text as “Upon thy walls, 0 Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen all the day and all the night.” He said that their first thought was to thank God for the safe and happy return from Rome of Dr. Mannix, who had been welcomed in a manner that had no parallel in their annals. They offered their congrtaulations, love, and loyalty to the Archbishop, whose noble dignity during many trying days in Europe had shed glory on the Church in Australia and Ireland. The watchman had come back, and had again taken his place in the towers of Israel. With the fearlessness of the prophets of old, he entered the arena every time that the honor of the Church, the sacred cause of Ireland, and the liberty of Australia were in question.

The Gathering at the Exhibition: Melbourne’s Greatest Auditorum Filled

It is difficult to estimate the number at the Exhibition Building, the place is of such vast dimensions. It is, however, considered that there were at least 15,000 present and the actual total would, probably, be greater. The enthusiasm was as great as marked the reception on the Saturday. Flags, green, and the Irish tri-color, were to be seen in all parts of the hall. A large platform had been erected in the southern transept, and this was, of course, occupied by the Church dignitaries, a large number of priests, and the principal members of the committees. Never was there .a more representative gathering, than that assembled under the dome of the Exhibition Building on Monday night. As the Archbishops and Bishops, representing the great cities of the Commonwealth, took their places, they were greeted with loud applause, which became almost deafening as Dr. Mannix. faced the huge gathering. 1

With his Grace on the platform were the Archbishop

of Sydney (Most Rev. Dr. Kelly), the Archbishop of Wellington (Most Rev. Dr. Redwood, S.M.), the Archbishop of Adelaide (Most Rev. Dr, Spence, 0.P.), CoadjutorArchbishop of Hobart (Most Rev. Dr. Barry), their Lordships the Bishops of Goulburn (Right Rev. Dr, Gallagher), Armidale (Right Rev. Dr. O’Connor), Wagga Wagga (Right Rev. Dr. J. W. Dwyer), Ballarat (Right Rev. Dr. holey), Sandhurst (Right Rev. Dr. McCarthy), and of Port Augusta (Right Rev. Dr. Norton), Right Rev.'Monsignor Treacy, V.G. (Deniliquin), and the Right Rev. Monsignor Killian, V.G. (Broken Hill), together with a large number of the clergy and representatives of the laity, among whom were Messrs. Neal Collins and J. J. O’Brien, of Sydney.

A band in one of the transepts played national airs, and the galleries were filled with an eager and enthusiastic

throng. It was, of course, difficult for any speaker to bo heard by such a large gathering; but those who read the addresses, which were of considerable length, went bravely through the task.

The Addresses

The following was the order of the addresses, all of which were read before Dr. Mannix addressed the gather-

ing:—

The Archbishops and Bishops of Australia and New Zealand, signed by the whole enty - four .members of the Hierarchy. In presenting this address, the Archbishop of Wellington said that they were delighted to hail Dr. Mannix as the great champion of freedom and justice for Ireland. . Dr. Mannix fearlessly declared the right of Ireland to self-determinationto work out its own sublime destiny. He thought that the dark night of Ireland’s sorrow was ending, and a bright day was close at hand. As in the past, Ireland} he trusted, would be free and independent, and be a joy and glory to the world. The following is the address:

My Lord Archbishop,Your safe return to Australia, after the long and laborious journey through many lands, is the auspicious occasion which has drawn together your zealous clergy, the faithful laity in their thousands, and

many who do not acknowledge your spiritual sway, to offer you their warmest welcome home, their respectful congratulations, and sincere good wishes. We, the undersigned Archbishops and Bishops of Australia and New Zealand, desire to associate ourselves with this manifestation of goodwill, and with full hearts, pray that Divine Providence may long preserve a life so dear to your people and so precious to us all. ■

Our relations with you as episcopal brethren have enabled us to recognise your worth as a great churchman, a clear-visioned statesman, and a patriot whose heart pulsates with genuine love of both your native and adopted countries.

We highly appreciate the immense services you have rendered to the cause of the Church, especially within the sphere of your active influence. -Your labors in the

* great cause of education in all its gradesprimary, secondary, and universityhave been untiring, earnest, and self-sacrificing. In season and out of season you have insisted that right education is one of the first qualifications of good citizenship, and that Catholics can never tolerate education divorced from religion.' We are one with you in setting the highest possible estimate upon secular knowledge. Our Catholic schools have produced, and are producing, results in secular education which are second to none, and we claim the right to continue that work under terms as fair as are given to those who do not value the religious training of the young as we do, and we claim this right in the name of justice and equality, in the name of reason and right.

Knowing the history of your career in the old land as President of the greatest ecclesiastical college in the world, and Senator of a National University, we confidently felt that the interests of higher education would not suffer at your hands. Our confidence was not misplaced. Your first address in Melbourne proved how near those interests were to your heart. Coming as a stranger amongst us, you were quick to discover the coign of vantage—stronghold of the Catholic position. You recognised that a Catholic college within the University would be pre«

eminently fitted to become the main fortress amongst your people of Catholic Christianity. All praise to the generous priests and people who at great personal sacrifice, contributed a princely sum to build Newman College! All praise to your Grace, the guiding spirit, who, scorning delights and living laborious days, brought the work to a successful issue, thus placing the coping-stone on the stately structure of primary education, built up by the sacrifices of the people under the leadership of the first and second Archbishops of Melbourne! ~ We are not unmindful how, in two memorable periods, you bravely and successfully stood forth in defence of the rights of the people of Australia. For the land of your birth you claimed that democratic principles should be applied according to the same weights and measures as were used in adjusting national balances elsewhere. We were pleased to support those principles, and made our voices heard in defence of them at the historic assemblage convened by you nearly two years ago in this city. s The vicissitudes through which you have passed since your departure from Australia are not unconnected with that famous gathering of Bishops, priests, and laymen, and, moreover, are nothing new in connection with the unexampled history of your country. You are not the first Bishop of your race who had to pay the penalty of denouncing those who substituted terror for law and tyranny for justice, and they, like you, because they loved justice and hated iniquity, were banned from the land of - their birth. There is no need to assure you that we resented this gross indignity, as futile as it was shortsighted, and lamented the annoyance it must have caused you; and those of us who were in the home land at the time were not slow to give vent to our feelings in a formal and public protest. We noted with pleasure the wonderful manifestations of love and veneration which greeted you in the great Republic of the West, and in those parts of Great Britain which you were permitted to visit, and especially the cordial reception accorded you by the Sovereign Pontiff; and we are pleased to know that the heart of the Holy Father was gladdened on hearing of the devotedness of your people to the Holy See in this land so remote from the centre of Christendom, their wonderful faith, their fidelity to the practices of their religion, and their unparalleled generosity in providing for the Christian education of their children. In conclusion, we raise our hearts in fervent prayer that God may, be pleased to preserve you in health and strength for many years, and thus enable you to guide your flock along the path of duty, to be the joy and comfort of your faithful clergy, and to bring to the councils of your episcopal brethren that sound judgment and clear vision which make your services so valuable when vital and complex questions call for solution. »>■' The Archbishop of Sydney The Archbishop of Sydney (Most Rev. Dr. Kelly) spoke in support of the address. He said he was glad of the opportunity of raising his voice to invoke the blessing of God on the work that was done, and being done, by Dr. Mannix. He felt assured the ears of God would not be closed to their petition. All he would say then was, God bless Dr. Mannix; God bless the Australian people, and God save Ireland. (Cheers.) The clergy of the archdiocese, read by the Rev. Father J. Keating. The clergy of the Province, read by the Very Rev. Dean Rooney (Sandhurst). The laity of the archdiocese, read by Mr. T. M. Burke. After this there was a break, when Mr. T. M. Burke, on behalf of subscribers, presented to the Archbishop a full-length portrait of his Grace, painted in oils, by Mr. Max Meldrum. As this was unveiled in full view of the audience, there was a loud outburst of applause. The reading of the addresses was then continued, as follows: The laity of Australia, Mr. Monahan (West Australia).

The Catholic Societies, Mr. G. W. Vanheems (president of the Catholic Federation). The National Societies, Mr. J. J. Kissane. Archbishop Mannix's Reply: A Wonderful "Hauling Home" Notwithstanding the modest disclaimer of Dr. Mannix, that he did not attribute the enthusiasm with which he had been received to any personal magnetism on his part, there could be no doubt of the wonderful personality of the Archbishop, as he was received with a defeaning outburst of applause. So persistent was the cheering that it was some time before he could obtain a hearing. Then, almost like magic, there was a profound silence, as though a word should not bo lost of the experiences of the great leader in the old country. Dr. Mannix referred to the enthusiasm of the gathering;, and said he felt proud that he had such a place, not only in the affections of his own people, but also with regard to others, who did not worship at the same altar. They had a homely phrase in Ireland by which a welcome was termed a "hauling home." 'Well, he had a "hauling home" since he landed in Australia on his return journey, till it culminated in the magnificent demonstration of Saturday last. This was not a personal matter. Ho took it that Australians appreciated the fact that he had reminded them that Australia had come of age. It was now a nation, and the Australian flag should be at the top of tho pole. (Applause.) A Striking Contrast As he drove up Collins Street on Saturday he could not help thinking of the contrast between the lonely ecclesiastic who at the dead of night was taken from the Baltic and put aboard a British destroyer, and the ecclesiastic who passed up Collins Street in triumph, amidst tho plaudits of better upholders of the Empire than the British navy that captured him. The indignity that the British Government sought to put upon him had long ago been wiped out by the sympathy of the whole world. The war had ended, but Ireland stood just as it did before the war. In Australia many maimed returned soldiers were still roaming about unprovided for. He found that they were still victims of the war, still uirprovided for by those who wore ready to send them away, but who apparently had very little welcome for them when they came back. He had made up his mind that it was his duty, the duty of them all, to stand by those men who did their duty as they saw it, and fought for the Empire, and some of the nations, even though they did not free Ireland. Although he was not a wealthy man, still if he could lay his hand upon £IOQO he would put it into the loan they were trying to raise for the returned soldiers here. (Cheers.) The Tragedy of Ireland As regards Ireland, when he was in London, the Archbishop said when he returned to Australia his tongue would be unloosed. Well, if the time and the opportunity occurred, he would, in accordance with that promise, tell them something of the terrible tragedy through which Ireland had passed. He knew a great deal that they did not want the people here to know, and it might yet be his duty to give that information. He hoped there would be a peaceful settlement of the Irish question, and he would not say anything that would interfere with the negotiations now proceeding. He saw, however, by the evening paper, that there was a hitch in the negotiations. " He could easily understand this, for though it was generally admitted that Ireland had a right to self-determination, there was a disposition on the part of the Government to whittle down the freedom to which Ireland was entitled. Hoping for the Best They were still hoping for the best, and they prayed to God that there would be a happy issue of the negotiations. But they should remember that this truce had come very late. The Irish people had always been ready for peace. They were ready for the truce all along, and had brought it about by their own brave struggle. If the

negotiations broke down, the men who had struggled for Ireland’s freedom were just as ready to do and dare and suffer as they were at the end of, last year. (Cheers.) He had told them when they were beginning their aggression that force would never subdue the Irish people, and he repeated that statement now. (Cheers.) That night they had very grave, and, perhaps, alarming news. The negotiations were not yet broken off, but they did not know the moment when they might be broken off. If they were, he said again that force would never subdue .the Irish, and, just as they had waded through’ blood for months back, they would wade through it again. British rule was practically unknown in Ireland. England pretended to

rule Ireland but it was unable to take a census of the Irish people. (Laughter.) They could depend upon Pre-

sident de Valera, in whom the Irish people had every confidence. The spirit of the Irish people was still unbroken, Ireland was baptised and regenerated in the blood of 1916. (Applause.) When months had passed, or perhaps years, in the end the British would still have to negotiate with President de Valera, or whoever stood in his place. (Hear, hear.) Even if force succeeded in securing peace, that would not settle the Irish question. But it would not succeed. He had told the British that the men they had to face in Ireland were not a gang of murderers. They did not listen, but had now eaten their own words. £he negotiations might be broken off, and, if they were, the people of Ireland would stand behind do Valera, as they did before, for the Irish would never yield to force. It would be to the lasting disgrace of the British Government if the negotiations were to become fruitless. They could no longer, with. any show of consistency, denounce men 5 as murderers that they had sat with at the council table. The press, just now, had adopted a moderate tone ; but if the negotiations would be broken off ho had no doubt they would start again the old campaign of vilification.

Not Dominion Home Rule

They would be the same to-morrow as they were today. (Hear, hear.) They had been told that Ireland had been offered full Dominion Home Rule, like Australia, and that politicians or presidents from some of the Dominions had been calling on the Irish people to accept this grant as they called it. They knew now that Ireland had not been offered Dominion Home Rule, because do Valera told them in his statement that Mr. Lloyd George had advanced a claftn to interfere in Irish affairs, even when a, settlement was arrived at. Mr. Lloyd George never thought of interfering with Australian affairs, and, if he did, would soon be put in his proper place. Apparently, too, de Valera, and Ireland, was asked to continue to take an interest in Imperialistic enterprises, and to pay for the wars, successful or unsuccessful, that England might wish to wage against civilised or uncivilised peoples* President de Valera now told the world that he wanted ,no more of that. (Cheers.) Ireland wanted to walk her own way, and the path of her progress was to bo a clean one. If the negotiations failed, and he prayed God that they might not, Ireland would stand just where she stood before they began. The spirit of- the people was unbroken. What the Irish people had set their hearts upon, they would eventually achieve. (Cheers.)

Message from de Valera

In conclusion, Dr. Mannix read the following extract from a letter, which he had received from Mr. de Valera before he left London: “Please convey, to the people of Australia our appreciation of the sympathy and aid given to us in our struggle for freedom. It will be a bond of friendship between the two nations, which time will not destroy, and no enemy can sunder.”