Acta Pii Pp. XII nr

E P I S T U L A

AD E X C M U M P. D. DANIELEM MANNIX, ARCHIEPISCOPUM MELBURNENSEM

SAECULO VERTENTE AB ECCLESIA MELBURNENSI CONSTITUTA.

PIUS PP. XII

Venerable Brother, Health and Apostolic Benediction. - With pro-

found pleasure, Venerable Brother, do We send you this message of

cordial greeting and felicitation on the auspicious occasion of the Cen-

tenary of the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

One hundred years ago the first Bishop, the enterprising John A.

Goold, took possession of the Diocese newly erected by Our predecessor

of blessed memory, Pius IX. Since then the history of Melbourne ha&

been one of continued progress and advancement, keeping pace with the

history of Victoria and of the entire Continent of Australia. As the

resources of the country were gradually explored and developed, the

population of Victoria rapidly increased, thereby creating an urgent and

arduous problem for the first Bishop of the new Diocese, upon whom

devolved the responsibility of providing for the religious needs of the

numerous Catholic immigrants.

The Providence of God, governing all things with infinite wisdom,

was not unmindful of the needs of the growing Catholic communities

scattered over those wide areas. As the numbers of the faithful multi-

plied, missionary priests were found for the new harvest-field - men

endowed with the physical endurance and with the zeal and firmness of

purpose which were required for laying the foundations of the Church

in the pioneer days of Australia. Through their energetic and self-

sacrificing toil, Churches and Chapels were built in the various centres

and soon the Province of Victoria was so well developed that portions

of the original territory of Melbourne were erected into the separate

Dioceses of Ballar at, Sandhurst and Sale.

Convinced that all efforts on behalf of the Catholic cause would have

been in vain unless the children were provided with a sound Christian

education, Archbishop Goold set about the difficult task of establishing

Catholic schools for the youth of the Diocese, and for this purpose he

enrolled the services of devoted religious, both men and women. With

their devoted collaboration and supported by the generous sacrifices of

his flock, the worthy Pastor laid the foundations of that network of