Last respects paid to Chch Bishop

Press, 4 February 1987, Page 3

Last respects paid to Chch Bishop

More than 300 people gathered at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament yesterday to pay their last respects to the Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, the Most Rev. Denis Hanrahan, during a liturgical reception for his body. A traditional karanga by Maori elders escorted the bishop’s coffin into the cathedral during the first part of the reception. Bishop Hanrahan was well known to the Maori community and had started learning the language more than two z years ago. Four relatives and two priests carried the coffin into the cathedral where its lid was removed. The priests — the Rev. Gerry Creagh, of Greymouth, and the Rev. Kevin Hackett, of Auckland — were seminary classmates of Bishop Hanrahan, who died suddenly last Sunday. He was the sixth Catholic Bishop of Christchurch. The mlhi (greeting) was made to the Bishop by a leader of the Maori Catholic community, Mr John Stirling, whose chants were followed by the Maori congregation. Bishop Hanrahan’s brother, Mr William Hanrahan, also gave a reading. The diocesan administrator, the Very Rev. Matthew Duggan, greeted the people after a solemn waikorero (speech) and the waiata (singing). The retired Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, the Most Rev. Brian Ashby, said in his eulogy that the news of Bishop Hanrahan’s death less than three years since he became bishop of the diocese had shocked everyone. “Bishop Denis has laid the foundations for many years of excellent service as the chief shepherd of our diocese. It has been pleasing for me to witness his dedication and enthusiasm, something that has been clearly reflected

in the lives of you all,” he said. A steady stream of people had made their way to the cathedral throughout the day to pay their last respects, said the Christchurch director of Catholic Communications, the Rev. Ray Schmack, yesterday. The Bishop’s body will lie in state until noon today, when the cathedral will be closed until the funeral service begins at 2 p.m. A chalice presented to Bishop Hanrahan by Pope John Paul II during his visit to New Zealand in November would also be used during today’s Requiem Mass. Messages of condolence had also been sent by the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Bolger. The member of Parliament for Yaldhurst, Mrs Margaret Austin, would represent the Prime Minister at the funeral. The Mass would be celebrated by Cardinal Thomas Williams, the Archbishop of Wellington. At the conclusion of the Mass, the general secretary of the National Council of Churches, Mrs Jocelyn Armstrong, would also speak on behalf of the other churches. About 300 people attended a memorial Mass at St Patrick’s Church, Greymouth, on Monday evening for Bishop Hanrahan. Bishop Hanrahan was baptised, confirmed, and later ordained to the priesthood at St Patrick’s Church. The Mass was celebrated by the Rev. John O’Connor, assistant to the parish priest at Greymoiith; the Rev. Bernard Goulding, parish priest of Runanga; the Rev. Jack O’Connor, parish priest of the Grey Valley; and the Rev. John O’Rourke, a Vincentian priest, formerly of Holy Cross Seminary, Mosgiel.