Catholic Bishop may be known by June

Press, 26 February 1987, Page 5

Catholic Bishop may be known by June

By

DEBORAH McPHERSON

A new Catholic Bishop of Christchurch might be appointed by June or July, said the director of Catholic Communications, the Rev. Ray Schmack, in Christchurch yesterday. The Papal Pro-Nuncio, - Archbishop Antonio Magnoni, would initiate the selection process for a successor to the Most Rev. Denis Hanrahan, who died earlier this month, aged 53. He would consult with Catholic Bishops of New Zealand priests, and the people of the Christ-

church diocese said Father Schmack. Archbishop Magnoni would then send the choice of bishop to the Vatican to be approved by the Pope. The Church hopes a new bishop will be appointed by at least June or July. Otherwise it might be delayed until September. The Vatican closes during summer, and the Pope goes to his summer residence 50km from Rome.

An empty chair at a Month’s Mind Mass at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament on Monday afternoon will be a poig-

nant reminder to the people of the diocese that they lack a bishop. The special anniversary Mass wil be held for Bishop Hanrahan, at 2 p.m. The Mass marks the end of the official mourning.

A former seminary classmate of Bishop Hanrahan, the Rev. Gerry Creagh, of Greyouth, will lead the service, with the diocesan administrator, the Very Rev. Matthew Duggan.

Monsignor Duggan was Vicar-General until the death of the Bishop.