Dean Sullivan’s Farewell Service In Cathedral

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29745, 12 February 1962, Page 13

Dean Sullivan’s Farewell Service In Cathedral

Although the service was broadcast, there was standing room only in the Christchurch Cathedral last evening when the Dean of Christchurch, the Very Rev M. G Sullivan, preached his last sermon in the Cathedral after 10 years as Dean of Christchurch.

The Dean and Mrs Sullivan shook hands with more than 1000 persons at the porch as hey left the Cathedral after the service. Many of them were obviously old friends and the Dean and Mrs Sullivan exchanged many friendly greetings and farewells until the last had left the building Before the service, the Cathedral bellringers rang a special series of changes for the Dean and Mrs Sullivan, a procedure of traditional and special honour. Dean Sullivan has become recognised as one of New Zealand s most able preachers and administrators and he has established warm personal relationships with a wide section of the New Zealand community, both in and beyond the Anglican communion.

The Dean and Mrs Sullivan will leave Auckland for London on February 15 The Dean is to take up a Crown living at the Church of St Mary. Bryanston Square.

A civic farewell reception is to be held in the Civic Theatre tomorrow.

The evening service w’as one of the most widely attended for a number of years. Parking space round the Cathedral was fully taken up some time before the service began Part of the service was also relayed to St. John's. Latimer square "Humbling Privilege” "On this, the last time when I shall have the humbling privilege of preaching from this pulpit. I welcome most warmly and gratefully not only this big congregation, but all those who may be listening to this broadcast and who have listened in over the years and have thus become our friends,” said the Dean. “I am deeply grateful to the bellringers for the honour they have done us. as well as to our brother friends in the Salvation Army, who gave up part of their service in the Square this evening so that this could be made possible. Church Union “I hope and pray that in New Zealand we may see the first firm steps towards organic union between the churches." said Dean Sullivan. “For the last 20 years we have done all the talking, and now either we go on talking or we begin to act," he said

"Deep in my heart. I am a devoted Anglican, but we

ought to be getting into accordance with the will of God with, at least, organic union with the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches in New Zeeland

“I confidently hope we may see this in the next 20 years | We have noted the attitude of the Roman Ca hoHc Church to this question and we are thankful for it. j “Are the winds of change beginning to blew?” he asked. “If we have un-ion with the Presbyterians and Methodists it will include 70 per cent. of tt’e professing Christians in New Zealand. This would be a challenge for our Reman brothers to consider and an encouragement for them to consider further.” The Dean said the Church needed to be far more deeply involved in the flow of life around it. "We have been too preoccupied with organisation and the things which go with it—such as fine buildings, music and attendances

“If this is the -measure of the Christlikeness of the Church, it is doin-g no more than counting heads and counting mone-y.” he said. “Problems confronting us include those of race, technology, science and politics. There must be a greater awareness of these by those in the pews,” he said. Making a plea for greater integration of spiritual and material life. Dean Sullivan said: "You may think your life from Monday to Saturday is not of a nature that you can bring it h“re to Church. But if you do. you will find an area in your life of renewal and reformation and spirit and ma'erial would come to be one.” Christian Education

Speaking of Christan education. Dean Sul'-ivan said it must be “part of the air our cir’dren breathe.” “Suffer little children to come unto Me” is a command. he said. He added: “If the standard of artithmetic in the business community was as hazy as their religious education. commerce would cease.” Dean Sullivan said that all I he had said in the cathedral was based on a personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord. “Many may think of Christ as a fine example, or a good teacher, a good! man. or a hero, but as He draws near to you. in the end He will possess you completely." he said. “Most Christians can be grouped in their attitude to the Christian religion as proud or puzzled, or intellectual or hard-headed successful men of the world, or decent fellows, or simple faithful souls. But there comes a time when they stand on the edge of life, fearful, naked and alone and then they know their needs. “Perhaps my text can come most appropriately at the end of this address.” said the Dean. He quoted from the fifteenth verse of the thirtyfifth psalm: “We took sweet counsel together and walked in the house of God as friends.” There was a full attendance of the Cathedral Chapter at the service. The Bishop of Christchurch, the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren, read the lessons from the sixth chapter of the Book of the Prophet Micah and the eleventh chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel. Hundreds lingered behind after the service to hear a presentation, by the organist. Mr C. Foster Browne, of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.

The Dean. led the prayers and the choir sang the wellknown anthem by Parry. “My Soul, There Is A Country Far Beyond The Stars.” Morning Service At a largely - attended morning service in the Cathedral, Dean Sullivan reviewed his 10 years as Dean of Christchurch and thanked those who had helped to make his term of office sue-1 cessful. Hundreds filed through the porch to shake hands with the Dean and Mrs Sullivan at the end of the service.

Dean Sullivan will be instituted to his London appointment on March 8. It is understood that the High Commissioner for New Zealand, Mr T. L. Macdonald, will attend the service. In London. Dean and Mrs Sullivan will live at 73 Gloucester place. W l.