TWENTY-FIVE YEARS A BISHOP

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 124, 19 February 1941, Page 9

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS A BISHOP

Roman Catholic Prelate

Dominion Special Service. CHRISTCHURCH, February 18. A son of a pioneering New Zealand family, who were ou the M est Coast iu the sixties, the second Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, the Rt Rev. Dr. M. J. Brodie, will next weekend celebrate his silver jubilee. On February 27, 191 G, be was consecrated to the diocese of Christehuich bv Archbishop Cerretti. then the 1 ap.U Legate to Australia, who later became Cardinal Cerretti, Bishop Brodie, who was born In Auckland, was the first New Zealand-born Catholic bishop tn the Dominion. Iu his 25 years iu the Christchurch diocese—which covers all of Canterburv and the West Coast, includin D and south of Greymouth— Bishop Brodie has taken the major share in the expanding of his church’s activities. In his episcopate many new churches and church buildings have been opened, including new parishes both in the city and in outlying districts. New schools and convents and even houses for new orders— including the Carmelites, who had their first Dominion House in Christchurch-have been added to the list of diocesan activities during his term as Bishop. Bishop B”odie, a native of Auckland, was educated for the priesthood in Svdney, and ordained for the Diocese "of Auckland. He worked there for a number of years before his choice to succeed Bishop Grimes in Christchurch. In addition to his work for his Church, he has taken a prominent part in public affairs, and has been closely associated with the St. John Ambulance Association. During the depression be was an active worker for the relief of distress, and with Archbishop West-Watson, was one of the mediators in the tramway strike. Bishop Brodie lias made several visits to overseas countries, and has entertained many distinguished Church visitors to Christchurch —including Cardinal Cerretti, Archbishop PanlCO (the present Papal Legate), Archbishop Mannix, Melbourne, and the Catholic priest and author, Father Owen Dudley, who was here about two years ago. Special seating arrangements have been made at the Cathedral in Barbadoes street, to hold the record crowds expected at. the jubilee celebrations to be held there. The church has been specially decorated, will be partially Uoodlit ’ from the outside, and a combined choir from all the city s Roman Catholic churches has been formed. The biggest crowd is expected at the laying, next Sunday afternoon, of the foundation-stone of the new St. Mary’s Church, an outdoor gathering to be attended by men from all the parishes.