CONSECRATION OF BISHOP VERDON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10132, 15 May 1896, Page 4 (Supplement)

CONSECRATION OF BISHOP VERDON.

The solemn and imposing ceremony of the consecration of a Roman Catholic bishop was performed for the first time in the colony, at St. Joseph's Cathodral, Dunedin, on May 3, the proceedings lasting from 10 a.m to 1.30 p.m. The cathedral itself, to which admission was By ticket, was full. In addition to the leading Roman Catholics,

including the Hon. J. G. Ward, there wero many present from other denominations.

Punctually at 10 a.m., the procession left the bishop's palace across the atreeb, the order being Priests, bishops, archbishops, the bishop-elect,and cardinal,andasthey passed under the triumphal arch erected in front of the cathedral and entered the building the large choir and orchestra opened the proceedings, the Cardinal taking the pontifical chair. He was vested in full pontificals, and the assistant bishops wore rochets, stoles, capes, and mitres, while the Bishopelecta was vested with amice, alb,, cincture, and stole crossed on his breast as a priest. The consecrating prelate was Cardinal Moran. The assistant bishops to Dr. Michael Verdon, bishop-elect, were Dr. Murray, Bishop of Maitland, and Dr. Grimes, Bishop of Christchurch; the Very Rev. Fathers Lenihan (Administrator of Auckland) and Devoy (Vicar-General of the arch-diocese of Wellington) acted as chaplains to the Cardinal; Father Cumminga (Vicar-General of Chriatchurch) was chaplain to Bishop Grimes, and Father Carew (Greymouth) chaplain to Bishop Murray; Fathers O'Leary (Lawrence) and Egan (Auckland) also noted as chaplains, The masters of the ceremonies were Dr. O'Haran (secretary to the Cardinal) and Fathers Burke and Murphy. Fathers Mackay (Oamaru) and Egan (Auckland) acted as cantors. All the priests of the Dunedin diocese, with the exception of three, were present, and from other dioceses. Fathers Robinson and Walshe (Melbourne), MacMahon (Christchurch), Lewis (Timaru), Regnault (Waimate), Dewe (England), Archbishops Redwood (New Zealand) and Carr (Melbourne) were also present in the sanctuary.