RETIREMENT SOON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23172, 19 October 1938, Page 16

RETIREMENT SOON

ARCHBISHOP AVERILL OFFICE VACANT IN 1940 QUESTION OF SUCCESSORS PRIMACY AND THE DIOCESE Notice of his intention to seek permission from the Bench of Bishops to resign his office at the next General Synod in February,' 1940, was given by the Primate of New Zealand, Archbishop Averill, to members of the Auckland Anglican Synod during his charge in St. Mary's Cathedral, Parnell, yesterday. In all probability, he paid, the present synod would have to face tho responsibility of nominating a bishop for the diocese. Archbishop Averill said he would prefer his resignation to take effect some time in April, 1940, if the General Synod was willing to permit such an extension, since it would probably be more convenient for the diocese and the province of New Zealand if ho remained in office until after the close of the financial year. He would, however, be quite willing to name an earlier date for his resignation if it would be more suitable to the diocese. Factors Considered "The date for my resignatidh," said Archbishop Averill, "is influenced to some extent by the fact that the Lambeth Conference meets in 1940, and I know from past experience how important it is that each province should be represented by its primate at that freat gathering. For various reasons could not undertake the journey to England again. The suggested date for my resignation will allow ample time for my successor in the primacy to succeed to the office before he visits far as this diocese is concerned," said tho archbishop, after describing the mode of appointment of a primate, it would be possible, I think, for. the commissary appointed by the senior bishop to summon a special meeting of synod for the nomination of a bishop before my resignation took effect, so long as tho date of my resignation was definitely settled, and the canonical date would, of course, be the last day of the Bession, unless ordered otherwise by the synod. Such procedure would probably avoid an inter-regnum, which is much to be desired." Change of Residence Archbishop Averill said he was grateful to the diocese for permitting him to live elsewhere than at Bishopscourt for the past three years, and he was thankful to say that his object in seeking such permission had been largely attained. It had not meant less work but probably rather more. It was natural that the diocese should desire its bishop to live either at Bishopscourt or Selwyncourt, and his successor would have the choice of either as his residence. The present lease of Bishopscourt would terminate in 1940. Bv 1940, said the archbishop, he would have served the Church of the Province of New Zealand for 46 years, 6f which 16 were spent as a parish priest knd 30 as a bishop. He would nave been Bishop of Auckland for 26 years and archbishop for 15 years.