The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-04-28
Most Req. Maurice F. McAulifHe
Observes Double Anniversary
COnsecrated Bishop Is
Years Ago Today; For.
malIy Assigned in "a

Most Rev. Maurice F. Nc
Auliffe today celebrates the
eighteenth anniversary of
his conservation as bishop.
Last Sunday marked the
10th anniversary of his APP
pointment as bishop of the
Hartford Diocese. At his re-
quest no public ceremonies
were held concentrating
either event.
The Catholic Transcript IN its
current issue reviews the magnifi-
cent work Of Bishop McAuliffe for
the past decade, recounting his con-
Btructive program in developing the
diocesan school system, in extend
ing hospital facilities, organizing re-
lief, encouraging social activities,
sponsoring a diocesan labor institute
and many other notable achieve
ments.
In Q splendid editorial tribute
The Transcript salutes Bishop Nc
Auliffe as Teacher. The tribute
follows:
On April %, 1926, the then Mon
signor McAuliffe, appointed Aux
Hilary Bishop of the Hartford
Diocese, was consecrated by the
late Bishop Milan. On April %,
1884, he was named Bishop Of
Hartford. Both events were Of
the highest Importance in his life.
BY the one he entered into the
fitness of the priesthood. BY the
other he assumed ecclesiastical
jurisdiction over q vast flock. But
neither event caused much sur
prise among his boys, those who
have come into intimate, affec-
tionate, and, due to his apparent
omniscience and omnipresence,
sometimes exciting, contact with
him at Saint Thomas Seminary.
Nor did 1t astoniSh the numer-
Gus others who knew him by per-
sonal acquaintance or by reputa-
ton. All of them were firmly
convinced that he was episcopal
timber of the soundest and most
useful kind and that his promo
tions were merely a proper recog-
milton of the fact.
These priests and people of the
Diocese of Hartford look with
satisfaction upon the ten years
of the Bishops episcopacy mostly
because his accomplishments dur
ing the decade have given ample
proof of what they already knew,
that he is a born shepherd, a
true minister Of Christ and an
able and untiring dispenser of the
mysteries Of God. The decades
crowded record of episcopal deeds
and work affecting for the better
every corner of the Diocese Is to
them an inevistable result of the
true harmony existing between
the man and his office, a har-
lnony forecasted by his able adj
ministration of every executive
position he ever held.
Long before Bishop McAuliffe
became the Diocesan Ordinary his
influence was felt in every cor
ner Of Connecticut trorugh the
boys whom he directed and formed
at st. Thomas Seminary. Or
dained to the priesthood, they re-
Elected the wise and sure direc-
ton OF an able superior and the
sympc tbetic understanding of a
friend. From him they derived
a higher conception Of their mis-
sion and a greater devotion to
their priestly duties than they
might otherwise have had. The
effect on their preYching, teach
ing and administration Of the
Sacraments is incalclllable.
The inspiration given by Biship
McAuliffe has by no means been
confined to the students OF st.
Thomas seminary. No one, lay
man or cleric. could come In con-
tact with him for any length of
time, even the short space Of a
casual interview without deriving
profit therefrom. Interested in
men and eager for their spiritual
welfare he had, and has, the hap
py faculty of inspiring their best
efforts and noblest ambitions. The
dignity and eminence of the Epis-
copacy has not made him remote
from his priests and his people.
If anything, he has become more
accessible to those who really need
his counsel and support. Though
his paths have led him far from
the classroom and the school, he
still remains the teacher, eager at
every opportunity to awaken in
others the love of learning and Of
virtue which he himself has so
steadily manifested throughout
the years.
If any single term could sum up
Bishop McAuliffe, it would be that
noble word, teacher" He has
been man of action and accom-
plishment, as the progress Of the
Diocese of Hartford under his
supervision abundantly testifies.