Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-04-04
A VAST THR0NC
Pays Its Homage to
Archbishop 0'Conne||.
Rev. Or. Johnson Delivers an
Eloquent Address Of Welcome
New PreIaie Speaks Words Of Glowing
Praise for Archbishop Williams.

Boston. April 3.-Scldom, if ever, has
I he Roman Catholic cathedral of the
Holy Cross, tn" headquarters of the
arch 'hOctSe Of Boston, held a greater
throE9 than assembled there today tO
pay homage To Most Rev. William II.
bConnell, the recently appointed CO.
:jiutor archbishop Of Boston. In ad-
dition to the thousands of laymcn who
gathered i'll the spacious cathedral,
there We're more than 800 clergymen,
representing nearly every parish in the
archdiocese and most or the bishops
in the Boston jurisdiction were also in
attendance.
When the exercises began it was csti-
mated that more than GoOO persons
were within the cathedral walls. The
reception and its attendant exercises
formed one Of the most significant
events ever held N local Catholic cir
cleS.
Promptly at o'clock the attending
clergy, accompanied by a delegation
Of pastors representing the various or
dcrS in the archdiocese entered the ca
thedral in a body and took seats in the
front of the building near the chancel
rail and on the center aisle. Then, to
the impressive music Of the organ. the
professional began. First came 4 cross
bearer, then = body Of acOlyteS, fol-
lowed by the altar boys. Behind them
marched the venerable Archbishop
John J. Williams. and the new coadju-
tor archbishop. Both dignitaries We're
clad in fTurrie affd-eaPfied purple copes
and purple birettas. The archbishop
took his pOntitcal throne while the CO.
adjutor occupied throne on the right
Of his superior.
The professional ended. Rev. Robert
J. Johnson, pastor Of the Gate Of
mounted the pulpit and delivered an
address welcoming Archbishop O'Con-
nrll and congratulating him on his ap-
pOintment.
''Trained in this diocese under the be-
nign administration Of our beloved
al chbishop, You have thorough aquaint-
ance with its needs, The esteem and
regard Of its priests. and the respect
Of the community. Not only are you
equipped to assist with vigor and wis
dom in the conduct of the affairs of the
arch-diocesc. but you are we'll adapted
to encourage AMI increase the spirit
Of kindly feeling toward the Catholic
faith among those outside Of the church
and your influence for good will be cX-
crted with Catholics and non-C atholicS
alike.
"Notable have been the services
which YOU have rendered to the cause
Of God and Catholic truth. AS rector
Of the American college at Rome you
admiral bly, fulfilled the duties of a diff
cult prsition-onc requiring special
qualifica tionS-anl in every way main
tanned the prestige of that institution
The training of young priests is OBJ
viOuSlv most important work, and your
success in that office inSureS your sue
cess as leader of the priesthood now
Your duties while at Rome brought
YOU into frequent personal relations
with the Holy Father and the high
dignitaries of the church and they were
quick to recognize your character and
attainments, your deep religious feel
ing. your excellent judgement your
carnestness. your unfailing amiability
and consideration for others-m a
word, the strength and the sweetness
Of your character.
"As bishop of Portland, you have
shown during tn" past five years not
only those same eminent qualities, but
the same executive ability with which
you conducted the affairs of the Alneri-
can College, while you We're its head
Many and great have been your ser
vices 70 the cause of truth and religion
in the Hnptl1nG JinnaS.a NJ,
fail to speak Of the important services
rendered by you on your recent mission
To Japan. where you showed yourself
to he a trained diplomat as we'll az a
thorough cCclesiastic. and achieved re-
suits of great Importance to the vel
fare ana extension Of the church. re-
suits that have been warmly commend
Ell by the Holy See
Archbishop O'ConneIl then respond
ed:
Nearly three years have passed
since the venerable prclate of this See,
himself the first to recognize the need
of help. turned to Rome. whence alone
that aid could come. Rome has made
her irrcvocable decision. 7 stand before
you with the mandate of the supreme
pastor of the universal church in my
hands. / come from Peters presence
into yours. And true to the faith you
preach and to the holy traditions of
this See of Boston, the best eXemplar
of which still rules it, you offer to
whomever Peter sends your loyalty
and reverence. and the diocese of Ros-
ton has once more proven her inflexi-
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