OLDEST BISHOP

Grey River Argus, 24 January 1934, Page 2

OLDEST BISHOP

Dr. Redwood’s Jubilee NEXT MONTH'S CELEBKATIUJN. WELLINGTON, .January 22. The celebrations next mouth in Wellington in connection with the episcopal Diamond Jubilee of hi> Grace 'Archbishop Redwood, S.M.. will be on a scale in keeping with the importance of lhe occasion. Actually, his Grace Asas <-on>vi'iated Bishop of Wellington on March 17 in lhe year 1574. al London, but the celebration of his 60th year as a member of tho Hierachy of |he Catholic Church is being anticipated by some weeks and will commence on Sunday. Februarv 25th, concluding on Wednesday, February 2sth. 'l’he record of lhe Archbishop who has thus been a member of the lliei'archy for n<> fewer than 6i> years, is 'most extraordinary ;ind unique in the 'Southern Hemisphere. His (trace was .14 years of age when consecrated Bisho]) and he was then tin* youngest Bishop of the Church; to-day al the grand old age of nearly !>5 years, he is the ohie-l. Needless to say, the Archbishop who retains bodily and mental strength in a remarkable degree is taking the greatest interest in the forthcoming .lubilet* celebrations. 'l’he Catholic body of tin* Dominion is uniting to make the celebrations tile success they ijeservv to be and 'the occasion will attract visitors to Wellington from every parish in lhe Dominion and a large number from overseas. Among the latter, wil: be his Grace Archbishop Mannix. of Melbourne: Bishop Nicolas S.M., of Fiji; Bishop (;lve<on. (’.S.S.R., o f Maitland. New South Wale>: Bishop Fox'. of Wileannia-Forhes. New South Wales; \ ci’y Rev. Father Bock, S.M., Northern Solomon Inlands (representing Bishop Wade, S.M.); \ cry Rew Father Goodman. M.S.C., of Sydney (representing the Missionaries o f the Sacred Heart); Very Rev. Father MrG’ynn. of Melbourne (Rector Sr. Cohiinban Colh'ge. hssendon): \ ery Rev. I'ather Murphv. S.J.. of Midbourne (Rector. Newman Fnivorsity College) representing the Jesuit Fathers <?f Australia, and manv Phe celebration- will commence on Sunday morning. February 25, with a Fontificial High Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Hill Street, lhe celebrant being his Grace Archbishop Rodwood; the occasional sermon will be delivered by Bishop Gleeson. This will be followed by a monster procession on Sunday afternoon which will traverse a route from the Basilica through Lambton Quay. Willis Street. Manners Street. Courtenay Placiv and 'Cambridge Terrace to the Basin Reserve, the use of which has been specially granted by th\* Citv Council. Tho procession will include children I rom all the schools. Convents and Colleges of the Archdiocese, members of all Sodalities, societies and other organisations of the church. Catholic Boy Scout Troops, Children of Mary, St. A iiicent de Pau! workers, members of tho Hibernian Society, as well as the Catholic laity generally, and local and visiting clergy and ITicrachy. The procession will assemble at various points near tho Basilica and will be under tho control of competent marshals. The procession with its regalia and banners is anticipated to be one of tho features of the celebrations, affording a unique opportunity of honouring the venerable Archbishop. At the Basin Reserve, a Solemn Benediction open air service -will be held. Complete arrangements have been made for the .accommodation of the general public who are expected to attend in large numbers.

On Monday, February 26th, the Hierachy and clergy will accompany the Jubiliarian on a motor drive to Otaki where they will be accorded a typical Maori greeting from natives of the Catholic Maori Mission and others, under the charge of the Rev. Father Riordan, S.M. (Maori Missioner), and entertained to lunch. The following day, the Archbishop and members of the Hierachy and clergy will pay a visit to. St. Patrick's College, Silverstream. A publie reception, to honour Archbishop Redwood, will be held at the Wellington Town Hall that evening, when appro*

priate addresses will be. delivered by special speakers. On Wednesday, the final day of the celebrations then* will be a children’s demonstration at tbe Town Hall in the a fl ernooti. For some time, an enthusiastic and representative committee has been working hard organising the celebrations; at a meeting of committee held recently the Right Rev. Monsignor Cunnolly. V.F. (Kilbirnie) presided, and there were pre.'ent the following convenors of sub-committees; Rev. I'ather J. Higgins, S.M. (general sec- | retary). Rev. Dr. Mcßae (financial secretary >. Mr. B. D. Hoskins (organ- i ising secretary ). Col. J. G. Roaehe (accommodation;, <’ol. R. 1.. Fvatt (procession). Messrs T. B. Gusscott (Town Hall functions'). J. .1. O’Gorman. (transport), J. Stratford (staffing) H. L. Ryan (secretarial) ami J. R. O’- | Shaughnessy (publicity). Col. Evalt reported that the proces- . sion arrangements were well in hand: I banners would be carried and regalia 1 worn by the various sections. 'i he route would be through the main streets to the Basin Reserve. It wa< reported that arrangements have been made for the broadcast of Town Hall function.'' and the Pontifical High Mass; loud speakeis were to be installed at lhe Basin Reserve on the occasion of the Solen.ji Benedict ion and it was hoped that a “'Talkie'' film, to include a speech by Arehbisho]» Heilwood would be made of the ■various functions; a special Jubilee Souvenir booklet would be issued. The special combined choir would number approxi mately 200 voices and had been rehearsing weekly for some months at St Patrick’s College; as a result a very fine combination had been bui.l up by tho choirmaster. Mr. E. J. ‘ Oakes.