KEEN CHURCH SPIRIT

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 216, 9 June 1936, Page 8

KEEN CHURCH SPIRIT

Australian Impressions Of Archbishop Averill

BROUGHTON CENTENARY

Dominion Special Service

Auckland, June 8.

After attending the c .lebrations of the centenary of tl. '■ 'isecration of Bishop Broughton, first Anglican Bishop in Australia, Archbishop Averill, Primate of New Zealand, returned from Sydney by the Monowai to-day. Archbishop Averill said the celebrations had been most successful, and Church leaders from many parts of the world were present. He bad preached at St. Andrew’s Cathedral and at St. James’s, where Bishop Broughton was installed, mid at several other churches, and had conveyed a message of greeting from New Zealand at numerous gatherings. One of the most impressive services iu which he participated was that held on Empire Day in St. Andrew’s Cathedral, at which the visiting archbishops and bishops all gave brief addresses. From what lie saw in Sydney Archbishop Jivcrill formed the opinion that there was a very live feeling in the Church in Australia. Although the celebrations continued for a fortnight, every function was crowded and there appeared to be a keen church spirit abroad. He was glad to see evidence of a good understanding between the different denominations.

During his visit to Sydney the Archbishop made a point of noting the arrangements that had been made for the celebration, as the centenary of the arrival in New Zealand of Bishop Selwyn falls in 1942, and it will be necessary for the church in New Zealand to make preparations for a similar observance. He also made Inquiries regarding the construction of Auckland’s cathedral, and had had consultations which should be very helpful, but he was unable to disclose the details at the moment.

Throughout his visit he had been shown the greatest kindness by church find municipal authorities and the New South Wales Government. Archbishop Averill said that Dr. Charles F. Darcy, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, would leave Sydney for Auckland on Saturday. Dr. G. F. Graham Brown, Bishop in Jerusalem, would arrive at Wellington on July 25 in time to take part In the consecration of the new Bishop of Wellington the following day. Dr. Foss Westeott, Bishop of Calcutta and Metropolitan of India, Burma and Ceylon, another of * the church leaders present at the celebrations, who it had been thought also might visit the Dominion, -was unfortunately unable to come.