Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-07-22
O'CONNELL MEMORIAL
Father Harty is Here to Raise Funds
 For It,

Rev Father Thomas Harty of Cahlr- civeen. County Kerry, Ireland. is in Waterbury seeking funds to complete the O'Connell memorial church at that place. It is nigh a quarter of a cen tury since church to the memory of O'Connell was inaugurated at Cahlrci- veen, the birthplace of the hero or Catholic emancipation. The following is a copy of Bishop Manegan's letter in commendation of the work:
 The Palace. Killarney.
 St Patrick's Day. 1905.
 We cordially endorse and approve of the appeal Canon Humphrey O'Rior- P. P. Cahirciveen now makes to Irish men at home and abroad for funds to complete the O'Connell Memorial church.
 It is not quite creditable that this great national church, founded well nigh a quarter of a century ago as a monument to O'Connell, the great Irish tribune. at his birthplace, still remains unfinished-a by-word and a reproach for the foe and the stranger to scoff and point the finger of scorn at. The Memorial church, indeed, if left much longer in it's present unfinished state would come to be regarded not so mucll a monument to O'Connell as memen- to-a sad memento in stone-of a na- tion's ingratitude to one of its greatest benefactors and most illustrious sons. Such apathy and indifference to the memory of the mighty dead-the heroes and great men and worthies Of the land-would soon incur the stigma and merit the reproach of national in- gratitude.
 But We may hope that the slur will be wiped out and the reproach taken away as the result of the effort that is now with commendable zeal being made to complete and furnish and adorn this noble edifice, until it be- comes what it ought to be. "a thing of beauty and joy forever" national monument of which Irishmen may he proud, worthy memorial for all time of O'Connell's name and fame.
 It must never be said that the church of O'Connell's own parish and monu, ment to the Liberator' was left un. finished for want of funds. OConnel. deserved better of his country. Irish men are proud of O'Connell, and just ly proud. For his is unquestionably the brightest name that adorns the pages of our country's history-"one Of the few, those immortal names that are not born to die" If Irishmen are proud of O'Connell, then, as well they may, and take credit to themselves for being his counuymen, let them be grateful also. and show their gratitude now by contributing to complete this noble church. the last and greatest monument to the memory of the most distinguished Irishman of his own and perhaps of any other age.
 We hereby authorize and depute the Rev Fathers T. Harty, B. D., and D. Finucane. B. D., two Zealous young priests of our diocese. to go and solicit subscriptions for this object among their fellow countrymen abroad in the greater Ireland beyond the seas. We earnestly commend them to the char ity of the faithful, priests and people. everywhere they go. We bespeak for these two devoted priests an hospita- ble reception at the hands especially of the ever faithful Irish Catholics in America and the colonies. exiles from Erin in those foreign lands.
 Our generous faithful Irish people were never yet appealed to in vain for a good and noble cause: and what cause could be better or more noble than that of God and country. of faith and fatherland. of civil and religious liberty and equal rights for all men the sacred cause that will be associated
 
 which he spent himself and was spent" to which devoted his life to the neglect of his own private inter ests. of which he was the able. elO- Guent and unfiinching advocate in his time. JOHN MANEGAN.
 Bishop of Kerry.