The Press WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1964. Consecration Of Dr. Ashby

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30511, 5 August 1964, Page 16

The Press WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1964. Consecration Of Dr. Ashby

The consecration today of Christchurch’s fifth Roman Catholic bishop is an occasion of note in the history of the city as well as a ceremony of deep significance for the Roman Catholic community. The church has made its own special contribution to the history of Canterbury and Westland since the appointment of Bishop Grimes in 1887. In its early years, the diocese bore a heavy burden in the establishment of parishes, schools, and the administration of a sparse and scattered congregation. Bishop Brodie, who began his long episcopate at the time of the First World War, served through the depression and on into the Second World War; his unsparing personal efforts in those times of sorrow won the affection of people of all faiths and of none, and earned his church a new esteem in Canterbury and on the West Coast. In happier times, he and his successor, Bishop Lyons, gave the diocese a visible link with Rome, the mother of European civilisation.

In these episcopates the institutions of the church—religious, educational, and charitable —were well established. Impressive gains were made in the number of parishes, communicants, religious, and clergy; and the laity contributed significantly to the business and social life of the community. It was a vigorous diocese to which Bishop Joyce succeeded after the Second World War; and he enriched his office with the common touch. Dr. Ashby follows one of Christchurch’s most loved churchmen of any denomination: an inspiring, challenging reflection.

Dr. Ashby has qualities of his own; and he has amply demonstrated his good will towards other branches of the Christian church. The choice of the ring—the symbol of Christian unity—in his coat-of-arms was significant. Other congregations in his diocese, as well as members of his own faith, have good reason to believe that he will play a helpful part, and a distinguished one, in the life of the district.