The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-05-12
reception of The Bishop Elect.

AAalco OObSiCSo II Ndo AiiSo W NHS
members of the Portland Catholic Union for
the purpose Of welcoming Bishop-elect Heaiy
to that place in the society which his prede-
cessor. the late Bishop Bacon, had occupied.
The hall was tastefuly decorated. The plat
form was raised and surmounted by an arcn
OF evergreen which bore the word welcome.
Chambers Band furnished the music Shortly
after eight clock the Bishop, attended by Hon.
j. G. Madgan, Father Bradley and others
came in, being received with applause. After
music BY the baud, Father Bradley IN Few
well chosen words introduced the bishop, ana
also turned over to his superior the trust winch
had devoved upon him as spiritual adviser OF
the association on the death of Bishop Bacon.
After music. Mr.. Andrew H. Larkin, President
of the Union, made very appropriate and
feeling address of welcome to Bishop Healy
At the conclusion of the address, the Bishop
addressed the Union at length. He said that
the trust of spiritual adviser to the Union,
which the worthy Rector of the Cathedral
(Father Bradley had turned over to him as
Bishop, he now publicly returned, fully assured
from what he saw and heard that the earnest
Father could do more for its success than he
had time to do. He said that he desired to
correct the idea that the Catholic Union of
Boston was larger than that of Portland. 1t
was not one fourth as large. Indeed, the Port
land Union was larger than any out of New
York Referring to the objects Of the Union,
he presumed from the name that it is CON-
posed of men who are united in Catholic pur-
pose. Consequently they should begin by I'M
Outstanding that religion. A large number of
people are Catholics by birth, or religion, who
don't understand its reasons, its creeds and iii
purposes. 1t is the duty of the members OF
the Union to SO well understand these things
as to be able to give reason for the faith
which is in us. We have right to give such
reason; others have to ask it. They must be
representative Catholics in this community.
We are misrepresented. 1t is for you to give
Highland correct errors, not only by correct and
faultless lives but show by your intelligence
what it is to be Catholic. He was glad to see
library growing, and hoped to see reading
room, which, among other things, should have
the current religious periodicals. He was
amazed to see how few Catholics were interested
In religious reading. They were interested in
papers containing politics, news, markets, etc.
ne WAS Siau Oh GuiS, DuG ut WduIcu tucm III
their families to take reliable religious jour
nal. We are making history. Great events
are occurring in the religious world concerning
which Catholics should be correctly informed.
The secular press doubtless intended to give
information always, and in general did, though
in some things they furnished misinformaton.
He referred to the conflict going On in Europe,
particularly in Germany, where the pri est must
obtain permission from the civil authorities to
perform the simplest rights of the church.
Yet portion Of the press of the world extol)ed
Germany as free country. Every form of
government may be oppressive. 1t may be an
entire like Germany, kingdom like Italy,
whose rulers were the most dissOlute of men.
Or contemplate republic like Switzerland,
where the priest can only administer the sacra-
ments when in charge of the officers of the
government
Bishop Healy next noticed the oft repeated
assertion that because Catholics gave their adj
heson to st. Peter and his successor as infal-
lible spiritual rulers, they were bound to give
their first allegiance to foreign power. He
said it had been represented that in the oath
which he an Bishop would take, that he was
bound to prosecute and destroy all those who
did not believe in the Catholic church. He felt
that this was unjust. He (the Bishop was a
small man; he could do no one bodily harm ii
he desired, and he desired only good for all men
and not harm. The fact that a man is Cath
Ollie does not interfere with his duties as citi-
zen. Indeed, it should make him better citi-
zen; loyal devoted, self-sacrifcing, and eager
to defend the laws.
In conclusion he eloquently urged them to
see that their acts as citizens of the Republic
should be marked by virtue, courage and intel
ligence; that they should be proud of the
name and dignity of American citizens, avoid
all sort of corruption in Office or the employ
ment Of it to get the same, have courage to do
as their consciences dictated and seek for that
intelligence which would always make their
way plain.
The address was frequently applauded and
lasted about twenty minutes After music,
the Bishop called upon Hon. j. G. Madigan of
Houlton. Col. Bradbury proposed three cheers,
which were given With will Mr.. Madigan
said it was hardly fair in the Bishop to call him
to speak without moments warning. He,
however, could but most heartily thank the
Union for its warm welcome. He spoke in a
feeling manner respecting Bishop Bacon, and
of his years of friendship with his successor.
He said he wanted all to feel the real meaning
of the word Catholic-a love and care for ones
neighbors; for the world. He gloried in toe
Republic of the United States-the land of his
birth-for many reasons, but for none more
than its religious federation. Here man could
keep the flag of his faith flying, but iu Prussia
an honest man could not. He plead for the
broadcast charity, for the truest Catholicism.
The man was most to be feared who had no
God. Indeed, the man who reveres no God is
usually unfaithful to men. Mr.. Madigan's
very eloquent remarks were loudly applauded.
The exercises closed with the singing of the
Star Spangled Banner.