HEAD OF CHURCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22000, 5 January 1935, Page 11

HEAD OF CHURCH

AUTOMATIC SUCCESSION

ARCHBISHOP O'SHEA'S POST

CAREER IN NEW ZEALAND

COADJUTOR SINCE 1913

Succession to the Archbishopric rendeted vacant by the death of Archbishop Redwood is automatic. When Archbishop O'Shoa was appointed coadjntor of Wellington in 1913 he was granted, from Rome the right of succession to the archdiocese and he now becomes Archbishop of Wellington in succession to the veteran prelate and head of the Roman Catholic Church in New Zealand. Although Archbishop O'Shea was born in San Francisco in 1870, he has spent practically all his life in New Zealand. He came here with his parents when he was only a few months old and lived with them in the Hawera district, Taranaki. A story is told that when Dr. Redwood, then Bishop of Wellington, paid his first episcopal visit to Taranaki he met on the outskirts of Hawera a woman who was waiting by the roadside with two small children, a boy and a girl. As the bishop's coach drew near, she besought his blessing for herself and her children. The kindly bishop stopped his coach and gave the blessing, not thinking that, 35 years later, the small boy would become his coadjutor and tho little girl the mother superior of one of his convents. Scholar and Athlete Archbishop O'Sh.ea was educated first in the convent school at Hawera and later at the Marist Brothers' School, Napier. When St. Patrick's College was opened in Wellington in 1885 he was the first student to be enrolled there. He ijroved to be a fine scholar and also a notable athlete. He played halfback at Rugby and was captain of the team which won the challenge cup in the junior competition of the district in 1888. After leaving college he entered the Marist Fathers' institution at Meeanee, near Napier, and was professed in the Society of Mary in August, 1891. He was ordained as a priest in December, 1893, being the first student of St. Patrick's College to reach the priesthood. Returning to Meeanee, he became professor of mental philosophy and continued at the seminary in that capacity until 1896, when he was appointed curate of the parish of Te Aro, under Archdeacon Devoy. Four years later he succeeded the archdeacon in charge of the parish, and remained there for a lengthy period. Appointment as Coadjutor

In 1907 he was appointed vicar-gen-eral of the Wellington archdiocese, with the dignity of dean. When ad-, vancing years caused Archbishop Redwood to ask for the ■assistance of a coadjutor, the honour was conferred on Dean O'Shea in 1913.' His title in the Church was Archbishop of Gortyna and Coadjutor of Wellington. Gortyna is one of the ancient sees which do not now exist. When a bishop is appointed to assist a territorial bishop it iB the custom in the Roman Catholic Church that he should be given the title of one of these sees. Gortyna was an important ancient city of Crete"and figures in Greek mythology. • j" . Some years later Archbishop O'Shea visited Rome to attend a Eucharistic Congress and he subsequently toured England, Ireland and America. Since his return he has shared with Arch-' bishop Redwood the administrative work of the archdiocese, in addition to acting as head of the Church in the Dominion during those periods when Archbishop Redwood was absent. j PHYSICAL COURAGE OPERATION IN HOSPITAL CHEERFUL TO THE LAST Physical courage rivalling his high spiritual qualities was shown by the late Archbishop Redwood during the operation which was performed in the hcpe that it would save his life. A spinal injection took the place of the ordinary general anaesthetic and, although the patient was insensitive to pain, he was fully conscious for a considerable time, during the amputation of his leg. . The operation, which involved the amputation of the archbishop's right leg above the knee, was performed in the Lewisham Hospital, Wellington, on Tuesday morning. According to advice received in Auckland, His Grace was not at all perturbed at the prospect of having to undergo a major surgical operation at the age of 95 and received visitors during the preceding days with the utmost cheerfulness. It was explained that anaesthetic by spinal injection is the type generally given in cases of amputation. It has the effect of leaving the patient practically in full possession of all his senses, but of rendering him insensitive to pain. In addition it involves less risk of shock to the heart or nervous system. Archbishop Redwood remained fully conscious for some time during the operation and was even able to take an interest in its progress. Later he dropped off into a natural sleep. When he was finally free of the anaesthetic, he retained all his cheerfulness and vigour of mind and subsequently was able to converse with members of his priesthood who called on him. UNIQUE ENDEAVOUR SERVICES TO DOMINION [by telegraph OWN correspondent] CHRISTCHURCH. Friday The president of the Methodist Conference, the Rev. Clarence Eaton, said: — "It is impossible to withhold a tribute of respect to the memory of a distinguished Prince of the Church, who, in length of service and in strength of devotion, has left a record of consecrated endeavour, not only unique in these southern l&nds, but difficult to parallel among any people. . "Although widely differing from the late Archbishop on many questions, we gladly recognise the splendid contribution * made by this eminent churchman, not only to his own communion but to the larger life of this young nation and to the whole Dominion. 'The memory of the just is blessed.' "