RECEPTION TO ARCHBISHOP

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27501, 8 November 1954, Page 13

RECEPTION TO ARCHBISHOP

FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO CHRISTCHURCH

A liturgical reception on the occasion of his first official visit to Christchurch since he succeeded to the Roman Catholic See of Wellington and became Metropolitan of New Zealand, was tendered to Archbishop McKeefry in the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament last evening. Archbishop McKeefry was accompanied by Archbishop Liston (Auckland), Bishop Joyce (Christchurch), Bishop Kavanagh (Dunedin), and Bishop Foley (Fiji). At the entrane to the cathedral, Archbishop McKeefry was met by the administrator of the cathedral (the Very Rev. T. Liddy). In his welcoming address, Bishop Joyce said that in 104 years the See of Wellington had had three occupants. Great though the development might have been in those 104 years, it was evident that the greatest work for God and for souls was falling to the fourth archbishop, Archbishop McKeefry.

After briefly replying to Bishop Joyce, Archbishop McKeefry spoke for a short time on unity within the Church. Christ at the Last Supper had pleaded for unity among men, “That unity which is ours is a precious thing,” said Archbishop McKeefry. “Down through the centuries that unity has never been broken, although it has been attacked. “Down through the centuries we paid the price for unity, and we are paying it today in lands where there is persecution,” said Archbishop McKeefry. “We can thank God that in this lovely land of ours we have freedom of religion as our possession. Priests and brothers and sisters in other lands could also say that until recently. They are paying for that unity today with blood and death,” he said.

Archbishop McKeefry later celebrated benediction. He was assisted by the Rev. Father J. McHale and the Rev. Father T. Cahill. The Very Rev. Dr. G. W. Harrison was master of ceremonies.

The choir comprised girls from St. Mary’s College, and Dr. Vernon Griffiths was organist.