The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-10-30
FOREIGN CATHOLIC 1HrE111eENcE.

PHI LIE De ShoMoh 4 ~ HaaL;nsa,, n g Eve
regret to announce the death, at ST. Ed,
mand's, Douai, of the Right Rev. Michael
Adrian Hankinson, o. 8. B., Bishop of Port |
Louis, Mauritius. His lordshiP was born
at Warrington, Lancashire. Sept; ~ 1oi.
in 1880; solemnly protested in 1896; sent
to the mission at Liverpool in 1851 re-
and remained there till 1868, when,
in spite of his reluctance to accept
such a position, he was nominated Bishop
of Port Louis. During the six years Of his
episcopate he endeared himself to all by
the happy mixture of firmness and affablll-
ty which marked his character. During
the terrible epidemic which ragged in the
sixth of the populatiop5 the Bishop, besides
73ischarging his own episcopal duties, TOOK
upon himself the work of his priests, when
they were stricken down by the fever:
baptizing, hearing confessions, administer
ing the last Sacramento in the plague,
stricken novels of the poor Indians, and
more than once attending between thirty
and forty funerals in a single day. In 1868
came the terrible hurricane, which caused
snch destruct on of life and property, chap
els, schools, religious houses were serious
ly damaged, and in some instances utterly
ruined; and the Catholics of Port Louis
will long remember the day when the
Bishop stood for hours up to his knees IN
water, whilst the corpses of two Christian
: Brothers and their scholars were being dug
out of the ruins Of their fine new school
house. These many trials did not prevent
his lordship from carrying out many excel
lent measures for the good OF his nock'
The dearest wish of his heart was the con
version of the poor idolaters who formed
three-f ourths of the entire population, and
to attain this object he obtained the ASSIST
ance of Jesuit Fathers from India to give
missions. and ofthe "Da,nes Repdratrtees,'
to educate the Indian orphans. lie aisC
founded several new parishes and an eccle'
siastical college. Although he had not re
covered from the effects of the fever, ht
hastened to Rome for the Council, but wa
Obliged by increased illness to leave II
April. With difficulty he reached Dona1 II
Nav. where, after Lying for short time
he again grew worse, and the existence .
a cancer in the stomach became evident
During his illness his calmDess anu resiS
nation. his thoughtfulness of Others, whil
suffering acutely himself, were a subject o
admiration to those around MIN. Oh pep
TENDER 9Th, his own feast day, he rece.v ,t e
the last Sacraments at the hahds Oh III
Right Rev. DR.. Burchall, in presence OF Tn
community, and with all the rites OF tn
ceremonial of bishops. He fingered on IL
tbe Olaf. A few hours before he breathe
his last he prayed aloud and ferventiy to
his many friends in England, in Franc
~ and in the Mauritius. He. spoke wit
u s,fsat affection of the Holy Father, and fol
snaIlv declared his belief in the dogma
" e Tn9bIiibility, He humbly begged pardo
edss "a the community for the little edlticatlo
A Tia had given them. He gave his last oiess
ing to his diocese, praying MS press thes Sa
oheyed himself. He then made the sign
the cross. kissed his crucifx, and murmu
inc. Mary conceived without SIN pray II
me-, fell into a deep slumber from "hie
he passed without struggle lh'o e'e.ni -.