Traditional Gifts To New Bishop

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31143, 20 August 1966, Page 23

Traditional Gifts To New Bishop

Traditional gifts to a new bishop on his consecration will come next week to the Very Rev. W. A. Pyatt, Bishop-elect of Christchurch, from a variety of family and church sources which have been closest to him in his work.

Dean Pyatt’s parents will give the episcopal ring—plain gold with an oval greenstone, which will have no arms in the meantime.

Three pectoral crosses are expected. One has been fashioned in wood by one of Dean Pyatt’s sons. Another in solid greenstone has been given by the Maori people of the diocese. A third is reported to be coming from Camock, a coalfields parish where he once worked in Staffordshire. Other close associates have combined to provide items of apparel. These include the parishes of Gisborne (where

the Bishop-elect worshipped as a boy). Hawera and St. Peter’s Wellington (where he was vicar), and Sumner (where he conducted his last mission): the choir, servers, and Sanctuary Guild of Christchurch Cathedral; and clergy of the diocese.

These items, some coming from England, include chimeres (robes in red and black) and rochets (a white surplice-like garment), and a further rochet has been given by the Community of the Sacred Name. The same community is making the cope and mitre for the other donors. Dean Pyatt will first wear all these gifts at his consecration next Wednesday.