The Morning Star And Catholic Messenger

A Missionary Bishop.—A few days ago episcopal consecration was given in Rome to one of those apostolic combatants who are the glory of our age, and as Mgr. da Silveira observes, the ornament of the Vatican Council. Mgr. Ridel, Vicar-Apostolic of Corea, was consecrated by his Eminence Cardinal de Bonnechose, Archbishop of Rouen. That prelate was assisted by Mgr. Verolles, Vicar-Apostolic of Manchouria, himself a Confessor, and by Mgr. Petitjean, Vicar-Apostolic of Japan. No more suggestive scene has been witnessed since the primitive days of Christianity. It is not long since the Bishop and all the Missionaries in Corea save one were martyred, and the King of that country announced that within six months he hoped to have destroyed the last Christian in his dominions. It is to haste back to such a land, and to take the chief part in such a warfare, that Mgr. Ridel has received the episcopal dignity. But before he goes, to a front almost certain death, he will assist in defining those prerogatives of Saint Peter and his Successors which such men do not doubt or oppose, but unanimously proclaim with thankful exultation, because they promote the glory of the Church and her Founder, and constitute, like every other truth of revelation, a portion of that sacred deposit of which they are themselves the most faithful guardians.