BISHOP NELIGAN RESIGNS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 166, 15 July 1910, Page 5

BISHOP NELIGAN RESIGNS.

OWING TO ILL-HEALTH. AFTER SEVEN YEARS' SERVICE "DUTY TO CHURCH AND DIOCESE." The surprise that will be felt in An- > gbcan Church circles upon hearing of the news that the Bishop of Auckland I (Dr. Neligan) has decided to resign the pastoral staff of the Diocese, will be ■ somewhat lessened by the knowledge, that for the past two months the health of the Bishop has been a source of con- ' siderable anxiety to his medical advis--1 ers, and that he has been so suffering I from nervous breakdown that a lengthy ! rest from aU work has become impera- i tive. In clerical circles it has been re- . . cognised for some time past that the strain of his work was teUing seriously on the health of the Bishop, but it was 1 not anticipated that his Lordship contemplated any immediate relinquishment of the See. The announcement of the resignation . has been conveyed in letters addressed separately to the clergy and to members of the laity connected with the governing bodies of the Diocese. The letter addressed to the clergy runs as follows:— Bishopscourt, Auckland, July 14, 1910. My Dear Brothers,—l write with very real pain to tell you that I have placed my resignation of the See of Auckland in the hands of the Primate, and that I have requested, in terms of the Canon, to be relieved of the duties of my office on October 15. In July of last year I had a warning that the strain of work here was rather beyond my powers. With due regard to the claims of the diocese, I endeavoured to heed the warning. In May this year I had a breakdown sufficiently serious to force mc to place myself unreservedly in the hands of the doctor. After two months' waiting, and after joint medical consultation, I am clear that my duty to the Church in this diocese is to resign my position of leadership. You will, I know, believe that the decision has not been hastily arrived at, nor have the issues involved been neglected by myself or my advisers. In 1902 I believed it to be my duty to accept the call of the Church in this diocese to be its leader. Equally do I believe it to be my duty now to give up that leadership. I have always hoped that God would give mc the pluck to resign my work here should He, at any time, see fit not to continue that abundant measure of health and strength with which for many years he ' has blessed mc. The time has now come, i I must give up the leadership in a post, . privileged because difficult, in the faith for the Faith, and go back to stand again I among the rank and file for so long as j our Heavenly Father may see to be meet and right. I am content. I have no ' work in prospect; but lam satisfied that \ He Who made you, through Synod, to call mc to wotU here, will also, in His own' way and time, give mc such other work, elsewhere and under conditions of less strain, as He wants mc to do. I ftannot avoid believing that the time for the change in leadership has been ordained of God. Apart from the facts of the diocese being fairly well organised, and St. John's College being now practically saved, there is the General Mission. By the power of the Holy Spirit the thoughts of the whole diocese will be, as a result of the mission, more than ever concentrated on the spiritual meaning and work of the Kingdom of our Blessed Lord and Saviour. Under the fresh impulse of high thoughts and pure resolves, Synod will meet on October 21. under a commissary, and proceed to the solemn duty and privilege of electing a bishop. Thus, with every prospect of spiritual force, and without any undue delay in diocesan activities, the outcome of the General Mission can be carried on by the next bishop. To part from you. my brothers in the sacred ministry and stewardship of the mysteries of God, is a big wrench. Beyond worth have I valued your loyal friendship, trust, confidence, as. time and again, you have bad to be patient and trustfuf of my leadership. God grant that, notwithstanding mistakes, that leadership has extended His Kingdom a little here on earth. Knowingly, I have never been unjust or unfriendly to any man. If, unknowing, I have ever hurt any man among you, I pray that man to forgive mc. I shall ever remember you and yours in my prayers. Will you sometimes remember mc and mine? Your faithful friend and Bishop, M.R., Auckland. The following letter has been addressed to leading members of the laity of the diocese:— . Bishopscourt, Auckland, July 14, 1910. "My dear Sir, —With sincere regret 1 write to tell you that, in obedience to doctor's orders, I have placed my resignation of the See of Auckland in the hands of the Primate. Within less than a year I have had two dlnesses; the last has been oi such a character that, after waiting for two months, I have come to the conclusion that I cannot hope to continue effectively work such as a diocese of this importance in a young country necessarily entails. I have asked the Primate to relieve mc of the duties oi my office on October 15, and it is my intention to return to England and seek for such work of less scram as God may grant mc the power to do. "I have written at length to the clergy on the matter, and, as that letter will be published, I need not trouble you now by its recapitulation. I know, from happy experience, that the great body of laity in this diocese trust mc enough to know and believe that my action is dictated by care for the work of the Church in this young country. "For over seven years I have experienced the great joy of knowing that the laity of this diocese have trusted mc. In Synod, Standing Committee, Trust Boards, committees of all sorts, this trust has 'been exhibited over and over again, and it has been a constant source of strength. From the bottom of my heart I am grateful. I have tried to merit your confidence. If in aught 1 have caused you pain or hurt, I ask you to forgive mc and to beUeve that, notwithstanding' all mistakes, I have honestly tried to do my duty in that terribly responsible office to which, through the Synod of this diocese, God called mc in 1902. '"May He ever bless you and yours. i "Your faithful friend and Bishop, I ...,.^... M AnrgSLiVNP."