Michael Verdon
Encyclopedia
Michael Verdon was the 2nd Catholic Bishop of Dunedin
(1896–1918).
, England
on 19 December 1838 His father came from County Louth
, Ireland
and his mother came from County Kildare
. He was a nephew of Cardinal Cullen, Archbishop of Dublin, and a first cousin of Cardinal Moran, Archbishop of Sydney. Verdon received his early education in St Vincent's College, Castleknock, Dublin
, conducted by the Vincentian Fathers. In 1855 he proceeded to Rome, where he continued his studies in the Irish College
. He was ordained priest on 28 December 1861.
, of which nine years later, he became President. He enlarged the buildings there, constructed a "magnificent church" and considerably improved the quality of the teaching to raise the prestige of the college. In 1879 he was appointed a canon of the Cathedral Chapter, Dublin, by Cardinal MacCabe, Archbishop of Dublin. Verdon then joined the staff of the Irish College in Rome where as vice-rector he also made improvements and was raised to the dignity of a domestic prelate.
In 1888 he was recruited by Cardinal Moran to go to Sydney
to take charge of the newly-erected St Patrick's College, Manly. Under his rule the number of students rose to 65. At the Provincial Council, held in Sydney
, in 1895, he was elected by the Bishops of Australia to represent them, and act as their agent in Rome; and, in February, 1896 when he had reached Melbourne
on his way there, Verdon received news of his appointment to the see of Dunedin.
, Bishop Murray of Maitland
and Bishop Grimes of Christchurch
. It was the first time that a bishop was consecrated in New Zealand. One of Verdon's first concerns was the establishment of a national seminary in Dunedin and, with the support of the other New Zealand bishops Holy Cross College, Mosgiel
was opened on 3 May 1900, exactly four years after Verdon's consecration and Verdon was himself its first Rector.
It was a significant step forward for the Church in New Zealand ensuring an adequate supply of clergy trained in New Zealand and also creating "a very real bond between the secular priests of the country". On 12 December 1909 Verdon ordained the first six priests from the seminary. In 1911 he celebrated his golden jubilee of the priesthood. During the 22 years of his tenure, Verdon generally went about his work quietly. He took no part in public affairs but confined himself to church matters. He encouraged new schools established by the Dominican sisters. He introduced the Sisters of Mercy
in South Dunedin where they established the St Vincent de Paul Orphanage and St Philomena's College
. Later they set up many other primary schools in the Dunedin diocese. Verdon also invited the Little Sisters of the Poor
to Dunedin to care for the aged poor.
. He died at St Gerard's Redemptorist Monastery, Wellington on 23 November 1918, aged 79. His remains were brought to Dunedin. Bishop Brodie of Christchurch
(who had been a student of Verdon's 28 years before at St Patrick's College, Manly) celebrated the requiem mass and preached the panegyric.
in the mausoleum erected for the first bishop of Dunedin. There his body remained until 1963 when it was transferred to the chapel built in his memory at Holy Cross College, Mosgiel
.
. Moran was physically slight but vibrant with "mental activity, nervous energy and fiery eloquence". Verdon was a large man with a massive frame. But he shunned publicity and was not widely known outside the Catholic community. Verdon's delight was in building new churches, expanding Catholic education and in philanthropy. He had "simple tastes, a singularly winning manner, deep sympathies, and profound wisdom".
Verdon's uncle and mentor, Cardinal Cullen had insisted on complete loyalty to Rome, the pope and the magisterium
. He encouraged his priests to wear Roman clerical garb and to decorate their churches "in the fashion of contemporaneous Roman basilicas". This attitude was inherited by Verdon. He had great reverence for the Italian Catholic Reformation Sants, Philip Neri
and Charles Borromeo
. He also preferred to send talented seminarians to Rome for further training and he decorated Holy Cross College in a very Roman way. These attitudes were also transferred to those whom Verdon mentored, including James Michael Liston
, the seventh Bishop of Auckland
.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Dunedin
The Latin Rite Catholic Diocese of Dunedin is a suffragan diocese of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington. It was formed on 26 November 1869 from a portion of the territory in the Diocese of Wellington, before it was elevated to an archdiocese....
(1896–1918).
Early life
Verdon was born in LiverpoolLiverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on 19 December 1838 His father came from County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and his mother came from County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
. He was a nephew of Cardinal Cullen, Archbishop of Dublin, and a first cousin of Cardinal Moran, Archbishop of Sydney. Verdon received his early education in St Vincent's College, Castleknock, Dublin
Castleknock College
Castleknock College is a private , secondary school for boys aged between 13 and 18, which is situated in the residential suburb of Castleknock, 8 km west of the city centre in Dublin, Ireland.-History:...
, conducted by the Vincentian Fathers. In 1855 he proceeded to Rome, where he continued his studies in the Irish College
Irish College
Irish Colleges is the collective name used for approximately 34 centres of education for Irish Catholic clergy and lay people opened on continental Europe in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The Colleges were set up to educate Roman Catholics from Ireland in their own religion following the...
. He was ordained priest on 28 December 1861.
Career
In 1861, Verdon was appointed a professor in the ecclesiastical seminary of Dublin, the Holy Cross College, ClonliffeClonliffe
For the Dublin athletic club, see Clonliffe HarriersClonliffe is an area of north Dublin, Ireland between Ballybough and Drumcondra. Clonliffe Road is the wide linking thoroughfare nearly a mile long forming the central artery. There is an entrance at the Drumcondra end, to Holy Cross College and...
, of which nine years later, he became President. He enlarged the buildings there, constructed a "magnificent church" and considerably improved the quality of the teaching to raise the prestige of the college. In 1879 he was appointed a canon of the Cathedral Chapter, Dublin, by Cardinal MacCabe, Archbishop of Dublin. Verdon then joined the staff of the Irish College in Rome where as vice-rector he also made improvements and was raised to the dignity of a domestic prelate.
In 1888 he was recruited by Cardinal Moran to go to Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
to take charge of the newly-erected St Patrick's College, Manly. Under his rule the number of students rose to 65. At the Provincial Council, held in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, in 1895, he was elected by the Bishops of Australia to represent them, and act as their agent in Rome; and, in February, 1896 when he had reached Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
on his way there, Verdon received news of his appointment to the see of Dunedin.
Episcopate
Verdon was consecrated bishop in St. Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin, on Sunday, 3 May, 1896, by Cardinal Moran, assisted by Archbishop Redwood of WellingtonFrancis Redwood
Francis William Mary Redwood SM , was the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Wellington, Metropolitan of New Zealand.Redwood was born on 8 April 1839 on the Tixall estate, Staffordshire, England. In 1842 he sailed to New Zealand with his parents on the George Fyfe...
, Bishop Murray of Maitland
Maitland
Maitland is an English and Scottish surname. It arrived in Britain after the Norman conquest of 1066. There are two theories about its source. It is either a nickname reference to "bad temper/disposition" , or it may be a locational reference to Mautalant, a place in Pontorson, France...
and Bishop Grimes of Christchurch
John Grimes (New Zealand bishop)
John Joseph Grimes was the first Roman Catholic bishop of Christchurch, New Zealand. He was appointed on 13 May 1887 and died in office on 15 March 1915.-References:...
. It was the first time that a bishop was consecrated in New Zealand. One of Verdon's first concerns was the establishment of a national seminary in Dunedin and, with the support of the other New Zealand bishops Holy Cross College, Mosgiel
Holy Cross College (New Zealand)
Holy Cross College or Holy Cross Seminary is the national Roman Catholic seminary of New Zealand for the training of priests. It was first opened in 1900 in Mosgiel and was relocated to Auckland in 1997.-Establishment:...
was opened on 3 May 1900, exactly four years after Verdon's consecration and Verdon was himself its first Rector.
It was a significant step forward for the Church in New Zealand ensuring an adequate supply of clergy trained in New Zealand and also creating "a very real bond between the secular priests of the country". On 12 December 1909 Verdon ordained the first six priests from the seminary. In 1911 he celebrated his golden jubilee of the priesthood. During the 22 years of his tenure, Verdon generally went about his work quietly. He took no part in public affairs but confined himself to church matters. He encouraged new schools established by the Dominican sisters. He introduced the Sisters of Mercy
Sisters of Mercy
The Religious Order of the Sisters of Mercy is an order of Catholic women founded by Catherine McAuley in Dublin, Ireland, in 1831. , the order has about 10,000 members worldwide, organized into a number of independent congregations....
in South Dunedin where they established the St Vincent de Paul Orphanage and St Philomena's College
Kavanagh College
Kavanagh College is a Catholic Secondary school in Dunedin, New Zealand. The school in its present form dates from 1989 but its origins as a secondary school go back to 1871....
. Later they set up many other primary schools in the Dunedin diocese. Verdon also invited the Little Sisters of the Poor
Little Sisters of the Poor
The Little Sisters of the Poor is a Roman Catholic religious order for women. It was founded in the 19th century by Saint Jeanne Jugan near Rennes, France. Jugan felt the need to care for the many impoverished elderly who lined the streets of French towns and cities.This led her to welcome an...
to Dunedin to care for the aged poor.
Death
In 1918, in the midst of the influenza epidemic, Verdon went to Rotorua for health reasons and improved greatly there. However on the return journey he caught a cold which developed into BronchitisBronchitis
Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the large bronchi in the lungs that is usually caused by viruses or bacteria and may last several days or weeks. Characteristic symptoms include cough, sputum production, and shortness of breath and wheezing related to the obstruction of the inflamed airways...
. He died at St Gerard's Redemptorist Monastery, Wellington on 23 November 1918, aged 79. His remains were brought to Dunedin. Bishop Brodie of Christchurch
Matthew Brodie
Matthew Joseph Brodie was the second Catholic bishop of Christchurch, New Zealand. He was appointed by Pope Benedict XV on 27 November 1915 and died in office on 11 October 1943. He was the first New Zealander by birth to be made a Catholic bishop...
(who had been a student of Verdon's 28 years before at St Patrick's College, Manly) celebrated the requiem mass and preached the panegyric.
Interment
Verdon was interred in the Southern Cemetery alongside his predecessor Bishop MoranPatrick Moran (bishop)
Patrick Moran was Vicar Apostolic of Eastern Province of Cape Colony in South Africa and the first Bishop of Dunedin, New Zealand .-Early life:...
in the mausoleum erected for the first bishop of Dunedin. There his body remained until 1963 when it was transferred to the chapel built in his memory at Holy Cross College, Mosgiel
Holy Cross College (New Zealand)
Holy Cross College or Holy Cross Seminary is the national Roman Catholic seminary of New Zealand for the training of priests. It was first opened in 1900 in Mosgiel and was relocated to Auckland in 1997.-Establishment:...
.
Character and influence
In an editorial The Otago Daily Times compared Verdon with his predecessor Patrick MoranPatrick Moran (bishop)
Patrick Moran was Vicar Apostolic of Eastern Province of Cape Colony in South Africa and the first Bishop of Dunedin, New Zealand .-Early life:...
. Moran was physically slight but vibrant with "mental activity, nervous energy and fiery eloquence". Verdon was a large man with a massive frame. But he shunned publicity and was not widely known outside the Catholic community. Verdon's delight was in building new churches, expanding Catholic education and in philanthropy. He had "simple tastes, a singularly winning manner, deep sympathies, and profound wisdom".
Verdon's uncle and mentor, Cardinal Cullen had insisted on complete loyalty to Rome, the pope and the magisterium
Magisterium
In the Catholic Church the Magisterium is the teaching authority of the Church. This authority is understood to be embodied in the episcopacy, which is the aggregation of the current bishops of the Church in union with the Pope, led by the Bishop of Rome , who has authority over the bishops,...
. He encouraged his priests to wear Roman clerical garb and to decorate their churches "in the fashion of contemporaneous Roman basilicas". This attitude was inherited by Verdon. He had great reverence for the Italian Catholic Reformation Sants, Philip Neri
Philip Neri
Saint Philip Romolo Neri , also known as Apostle of Rome, was an Italian priest, noted for founding a society of secular priests called the "Congregation of the Oratory".-Early life:...
and Charles Borromeo
Charles Borromeo
Charles Borromeo was the cardinal archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Milan from 1564 to 1584. He was a leading figure during the Counter-Reformation and was responsible for significant reforms in the Catholic Church, including the founding of seminaries for the education of priests...
. He also preferred to send talented seminarians to Rome for further training and he decorated Holy Cross College in a very Roman way. These attitudes were also transferred to those whom Verdon mentored, including James Michael Liston
James Michael Liston
James Michael Liston, CMG was the Seventh Catholic Bishop of Auckland.-Early life:James Michael Liston was born in Dunedin on 9 June 1881, one of a family of five children of James Liston, a hotel-keeper, and his wife, Mary . His parents were both born in Ireland. He was educated at Kavanagh...
, the seventh Bishop of Auckland
Roman Catholic Diocese of Auckland
The Latin Rite Catholic Diocese of Auckland is one of the two original dioceses in New Zealand. Although formally a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Wellington, both were erected on 20 June 1848...
.