CONSECRATION OF BISHOP LENIHAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10300, 27 November 1896, Page 3 (Supplement)

CONSECRATION OF BISHOP LENIHAN.

On Nov. 15, at St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Right Kev. G, M. Lenihan, D.D., was consecrated fifth Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, the function being an imposing and interesting one—imposing from the pomp always attaching to such an ecclesiastical ceremonial, and interesting from unusually varied reasons. Ib was the first consecration of a bishop, according to the rite of the Holy Koman Church, in Auckland ; Father Lenihan, too, was the choice of his future flock; while hip years of residence in the diocese over which he had been called to rule had socured for him the deepest respocb, not only of thoso in agreement with him, but of very large numbers, who, though differing from him theologically, yet had learned to appreciate his catholicity of spirit and earnestness. The occasion was one, therefore, which will be long remembered.

During Nov. 14 busy hands were at work upon the decorations, which, when completed, vvero.very effective. At ten o'clock, the time appointed for the consecration, the members of he Hibernian Society formed between the Presbytery and the I'athedral in double line, as a guard of honour, The prelates and ; priests present were as follows j—Bishop Lenihan (Auckland], Bishop-Eloct; Bishop Crimes (Christchurch), Consecrator ; Bishops Verdon (l)unedin) and Gallagher (Goulbourn), Assistant • Prelates; Mons. Paul (Onehunga), and McDonald (Panmure andHowick); Rev. Fathers O'Hara (Otahuhu), O'Reilly (Thames), Dr. Egan, 0.5.8. (St. Benedict's), M. Egan (Coromandel), Purbon, 0.5.8. (Ponsonby) Gillan (Ponsonby), Mulvihill (St. Patrick's), Kehoe (To Aroha), Hackett (Paeroa), McMillan (Pukekohe), Launuyel (Opotiki), Amandilini (Hamilton), Ohlsen (Tonga), Gregory (Newton), Cummings, S.M., V.G. (Christchurch), Aubrey, S.M., Provincial (Sydney), Ginaty, S.M. (Christchurch), Kirk, S.M. (Wanganui), Grogan, S.M. (Napier), Smythe, S.M. (Hastings), Mc(irath (Hawera), Golden (Patea), McKenna (New Plymouth), Buckley (St. Patrick's), Luck, 0.5.8. (Kihikihi), and four Maori missionaries.

In honour of tho consecration of the Right Rev. G. M. Lenihan, D.D., a conversazione was tendered to tho Roman Catholic Bishops and clergy on Nov. 16. Tho gathering was very largely attended. The guests of the evening occupied a reserved space in front of the stage. Bishop Lonihan was surrounded by a large number of priests, and Bishops Grimes and Verdon were also present. The stage was occupiod by the orchestra, under Mr. P. F. Hiscocks, and on the raised seats at the back a choir of some 300 children under Miss Mcllhone, wero seated. Daring tho evening no less than four presentations were made to His Lordship Bishop Lenihan. The first of theso was from the clergy of his Diocese, and consisted of an address on parchment, and of . the seals of the Diocese. Monsignore Walter McDonald made the presentation on behalf of his fellow priests. The next presentation, which came from the laity, was made by Mr. J. A. Tole, who presidod ab tho oonversaziono. It was also an address, but in' book form, beautifully engrossed by Mr. W. Gulliver. Tho remaining presentations came from the H.A.C.B.S. and tho students of the Marisb Brothers school. That from the H.A.C.B.S, was an address tastefully got up on a satin scroll, and was presented by Mr. M. J. Sheahan, president of the Auckland branch. The address from the students was a beautiful piece of work, and was read very clearly and distinctly by Master Willian Brennan. His Lordship was loudly applauded both on rising to reply to tho addresses and on resuming his seat,