AUCKLAND'S NEW BISHOP.
CONSECRATED AND ENTHRONED.
AN HISTORIC OCCASION.
MEMORABLE SERVICES AT THE
CATHEDRAL.
BISHOP NELIGAN'S FIRST ADDRESS.
ELOQUENT AND POWERFUL. DISCOURSE.
The consecration of the Rev. Moore Richard Neligan, D.D., as Bishop of Auckland, which took place at St. Mary's Cathedral, Parnell, on Ascension Day, was one of the most solemn and impressive ceremonies which has ever taken place dn this province.
Long before ten a.m. those who were fortunate enough to possess tickets of admission to the service for the consecration of Dr. Neligan began to take their places, and before the time fixed for the commencement (half-past ten) the cathedral was crowded in every part except the seats reserved for the choir and clergy, many at the back of the building having to content themselves with standing room. Among those present were the following: His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by Lady Constance Knox, Miss Julius (of Christchurch), and the Hon. H. C. Butler, occupied a front pew, and immediately behind the Government House party were Mrs. Neligan, accompanied by Miss Read and Miss Burdett (friends of Mrs. Neligan's), who accompanied her from London, Mr, M. W. Neligan (the Bishop's nephew), and Mr. Hubert (Bishop's secretary). As the procession, consisting of bishops, clergy, and the male portion of the choir, entered the building tho well-known Ascensiontide hymn, "Hail the Day That Sees ilim Rise," was sung. After all were in their places, and the singing of Psalm exxxv., the Acting-Primate at once proceeded with the Communion service, his voice being distinctly audible in all parts of the building. Before the epistle was a special collect for the bishops. The Epistle (Acts xx. 17) was read by Bishop Williams (Waiapu), and the Gospel (St. John xxi. 15) by Bishop Mules (Nelson). After the singing of the Nicene Creed, Canon Nelson conducted Bishop Julius to the pulpit, the sermon being prefaced by the Bidding Prayer and the Lord's Prayer.
Bishop Julius preached from Hebrews xiii. 7 and 8. "Remember them that had the rule over you, which spake unto you the word of God; and considering the issue of their lifo imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to-day, yea and for ever."
Bishop Julius having resumed his place in tho chancel, and the Acting-Primate being seated in a chair in front of the altar, the Bishops of Nelson and Waiapu presented the Bishop-elect (vested in his rochet) to the Acting-Primate, saying: "Most Rev. Father in God, we present unto you this godly and well-learned man to bo ordained and consecrated Bishop." Mr. Brookfield (for the Chancellor) read the documents relating to the nomination and election of Dr. Neligan. Then tho Bishop-elect, in a fine strong voice, every word being distinctly heard by the whole congregation, took the following oath of due obedience to the Primate : —
"In the Name of God. Amen. I, Moore Richard, chosen Bishop of the Church and See of Auckland, do profess and promise all due reverence and obedience to the Primate of New Zealand and to his successors: So help mo God, through Jesus Christ." The Acting-Primate then moved the congregation to pray, and Canon Mac Murray (vicar of St. Mary's) sang the Litany, including the following special suffrage: — "That it may please Thee to bless this our brother elected, and to send Thy grace upon him, that he may duly execute the office whereunto ho is called, to the edifying of Thy Church, and to the honour, praise, and glory of Thy Name." After another prayer for the Bishop-elect the Acting-Primate, sitting in his chair in front of the altar, put the eight questions prescribed in the Ordinal to the Bishopelect, the latter giving the required answers very distinctly. The Bishop-elect then retired to the vesting place with Canon Mac Murray and the Rev. Hone Papahia, his chaplains, in order to put on the rest of his episcopal habit, the choir meanwhile singing the anthem "How Lovely are the Messengers." In a few minutes Dr. Neligan reappeared in the usual episcopal dress, and knelt before the Acting-Primate while the "Veni Creator Spiritus" (Come, Holy Ghost, our Souls Inspire) was sung, the Acting-Primate singing the first line. .Then came a prayer that the Bishop-eleet might " evermore be ready to spread abroad Thy Gospel, the glad tidings of reconciliation with Thee; and use the authority given him, not to destruction, but to salvation; not to hurt, but to help; so that as a wise and faithful - servant, giving to Thy family their portion in due season, he may at last be received into everlasting joy." Alter this was the moat impressive part of the whole ceremony, the act of consecration. The Bishons now gathered round the Bishop-elect, who was kneeling before them, and laid their hands upon his head, the Act-ing-Primate saying:—"Receive the Holy Ghost, for the Office and Work of a Bishop in the Church of God, now committed unto thee by the Imposition of our hands; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. And remember that thou stir up the grace of God whieh is given thee by this Imposition ol our hands; for God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and soberness."
Bishop Nevill thou handed to the newlyconsecrated Bishop a Bible, and the pastoral staff, saying the appropriate words as set forth in the Ordinal. Bishop Neligan now took his place within the altar rails with the other Bishops, and put on his pectoral cross, and the Communion service was proceeded with, Bishop Nevill being the celebrant. The hymn, " O Christ, our God, Who with Thine own liast been," was sung, and before the benediction there was another prayer for the newly-consecrated Bishop, a memorable service concluding with the retrocessional hymn " The Son of God goes forth to War.'" For the successful carrying out of the ceremony special credit is due to Canon Mac Murray (vicar of St. Mary's) and Archdeacon Walsh, also to Dr. Thomas (organist) and the choir, the musical portion of the service being exceedingly well rendered.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12281, 27 May 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)
Word Count
1,017AUCKLAND'S NEW BISHOP. New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12281, 27 May 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)
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