Christchurch Marks Diocesan Centennial

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28157, 21 December 1956, Page 14

Christchurch Marks Diocesan Centennial

The close relationship of the Church with the State, the city, education, and social service activity were mentioned by speakers, including the Prime Minister (Mr Holland), at a public meeting held in the Civic Theatre last evening as part of the centennial celebrations of the Diocese of Christchurch. The Rt. Rev. H. J. C. Harper was enthroned as the first Bishop of Christchurch on Christmas Day, 1856.

"What of the future?” asked the Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. A- K. Warren) at the end of these addresses, when he discussed "The Church, Past, Present and Future.” "The history of our first 100 years teaches us in no uncertain terms that it is character which counts. The character of a man can make an impact upon a whole generation.” said Bishop Warren. “We cannot foresee with any accuracy what trends of change there will be in life in the immediate future; nor can we gauge the effect of modern scientific discoveries; nor can we see what developments will take place in our relationships with Asiatic countries. But one fact stands out clearly: the quality of the character and personality of men who deal with situations is a fundamental factor in the future of our history. “I believe that the way we bring up our children, the quality of our home life and of the life lived at school is of paramount importance.” he said. “There is little wrong with our children; it is the upbringing of them that counts.. If they, the rising generation, are rooted and grounded in Christ, we can meet the future undaunted and victorious.” Growth of Diocese

Of the present. Bishop Warren said that the numbers in parishes were growing, the numbers of parishes were expanding, and every institution in the diocese was growing. "A few years ago, we would never have dreamt that the material needs of our buildings, to meet the expanding population of Canterbury, will in the measurable future amount to a mere million pounds. I am glad to say that our whole attitude towards generous giving is undergoing a revolution, and God is calling us to speed that up,” said Bishop Warren. Mr Holland said he believed that faith in the Christian religion and a determination to practise its teachings and adhere to its ideals, however short the individual might fall in his performance of them, were of great importance in the community.

He firmly believed, said Mr Holland, that it was from their religion, their faith in it and practice of it that the pioneers bad derived their courage and determination; and it was well that the Church and State should now pause to look back on the works of the pioneers and pledge themselves to live worthily of them in the future. Those who enjoyed the modern way of life were, he was sure, grateful to the pioneers and to the good influence of the Church.

Mr Holland conveyed to the diocese the congratulations of the Government and its good wishes for the future. Speech By Mayor The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, MJ*.) said that, because the Christchurch Cathedral was situated in the centre of Christchurch and it served as a focal point for members of churches other than the Church of England, all citizens had reason to look back to the early settlers who were associated with the Church of England. “I think we all have pride in that magnificent Cathedral, and the vision displayed by the early pioneers and the first Bishop of Christchurch, who showed energy in developing the diocese and initiating the erection of the Cathedral.” he said Mr Macfarlane praised the contribution that bishons, clergy and church members had always made as citizens “The Church has always shown approval of those progressive measures in the interests of the masses of the people,” he said. Ecumenical Movement “I doubt whether there is another diocese where relations between Anglicans and non-Anglicans have been so cordial as they have been here over the last 100 years,” said the Rev Malcolm W. Wilson, chairman of the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Churches. “Misunderstandings and controversies there have been from time to time, but by and large we have worked in harmony; and much credit for that state of affairs must be given to the successive Bishops of Christchurch.”

The formation of the National Council of Churches in New Zealand, the first national council of churches in the world, had been in large measure attributable to the ecumenical spirit of the late Archbishop West-Wat«nn. Mr Wilson said. He had had a vision •that at the next centennial celebrations of the diocese, there would be no representative of his council, for then there would be only one church in New Zealand.

The chairman of the Canterbury University College Council (Mr D W Bain) said education in the province owed a debt to the realistic aporeciation of members of the Canterbury Association of the essentiality of education in a community that would continue searching for truth. It was quite evident from the early history of the Canterbury settlement that education ranked only second to religion. Social Services The chairman of the North Canterbury Hospital Board (Dr. L. C. L Averill) said that the diocese had a very impressive record in the field of social service work, and in the initiation of activities which, as demands had grown and needs had been realised, had been followed by development through local and national government agencies. “I speak for my brother Bishops •nd their dioceses when I say that we

in the whole Province of New Zealand are proud of the Diocese of Christchurch,” said the Primate of New Zealand (Archbishop Owen). “We are proud of your past; we are proud of your present; and we look with confidence to your future. “I count it a privilege to be present on this happy occasion, and I shall continue to pray for God’s blessing upon your Bishop, your clergy and your laity as you launch your diocese into the second century of its history with faith in God and with confidence in the work to which God has called you,” said Archbishop Owen.

Diocesan Dinner Before the function in the Civic Theatrte, there was a diocesan dinner attended by about 350 persons, including clergy, deaconesses, women church workers, widows of former members of the clergy, members of the Cathedral Chapter, the Standing Committee of the diocese, the Church Property Trustees, church wardens and synodsmen. At the head table were Archbishop Owen, the Prime Minister and Mrs Holland, the Mayor and Mrs Macfarlane, the Bishop of Christchurch and Mrs Warren, the Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. Martin Sullivan) and Mrs Sullivan, Dr. and Mrs Averill, Mr and Mrs Bain and Mr and Mrs J. Harper. Mr Harper is the eldest grandson of the eldest son of Bishop Harper, and he represented Bishop Harper s descendants at the dinner.

GREETINGS FROM DR. FISHER Christchurch Visit Recalled

“It gives me a deep joy to have the privilege of sending a greeting to the Diocese of Christchurch as it celebrates the centenary of its foundation,” says a message from the Archbishop of Canterbury (the Most Rev. Dr. G. F. Fisher), read by the Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren) at the centennial celebrations of the Diocese of Christchurch last evening. “As I think of you, I recall with you my predecessor, Archbishop Sumner, who took an active and prominent part in the foundation of the Province of Canterbury,” said Dr. Fisher. “I recall with you your first Bishop, Henry John Chitty Harper, who was consecrated a Bishop in the Church of God here in the chapel of Lambeth Palace on August 10, 1856. To the recent restoration of that chapel from war destruction to its ancient beauty, you of Christchurch made a noble contribu-

tion. “I recall, not least, my glowing memories of the visit which, with Mrs Fisher, I paid to New Zea- , land and to Christchurch six years ago. The glory of those great events in which I shared and of the friendship into which you took us so readily will never fade. “Having such bonds with you, it is with a full heart that I greet you and wish you God’s blessing in your centenary festival. God has done great things for you, and by faith the best is yet to be. Give thanks and go forward in the strength of the Lord.” Messages were also received from the Archbishop of Quebec (the Most Rev. Philip Carrington), who is a son of a former Dean of Christchurch, the Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn (the Rt. Rev. E. H. Burgmann); the diecese of Waikato; the Bishop oi Dunedin (the Rt. Rev. A. H. Johnston); the Christchurch Presbytery: and the Canterbury Pilgrims’ and Early Settlers’ Association.