THE NEW BISHOP OF DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1262, 7 May 1896, Page 42

THE NEW BISHOP OF DUNEDIN.

THE IMPOSING CEREMONY OF HIS CONSECRATION.

The solemn and imposing ceremony of consecrating the Roman Catholic Bishop was performed for the first time in the Colony at St. Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin, on Sunday, the proceedings lasting from 10 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. The morning broke dull and foggy and raw, but despite this there was a large crowd outside to witness the brief procession. Tho Cathedral itself, to which admission was by ticket, was full. In addition to leading Roman Catholics, including the Hon J. G. Ward, there were many present from other denominations. Punctually at 10 a.m. tho procession left the Bishop's palace across tho street, tho order being : Priests, Bishops, Archbishops, Bishop-elect and Cardinal ; and as they passed under the triumphal arch erected in front of the Cathedral and entered the building, the large choir and o-chestra opened the proceedings. Tie Cardinal, taking the Pontifical chair, was vested in full Pontificals, and the assistant Bishops wore rochets, stoles, capes and mitres, .vhile the Bishop-elect was vested with amice, alb, cincture and the stole crossed on his breast.

The consecrating prelate was Cardinal Moran ; the assistant Bishops to Dr Verdoii, Bishop-elect, were Dr Murray, Bishop of Maitland, and Dr Grimes, Bishop of Christchurch ; the Very Rev Fathers Lenihau (Administrator of Auckland) and Devoy (Vicar - General of the archdiocese of Wellington) acted as chaplains to the Cardinal; Father Gumming (Vicar-General of Christchurch) was chaplain to Bishop Grimes), and Father Carew (Greymouth) chaplain to Bishop Murray. Fathers O'Leary (Lawrence) and Egan (Auckland) also acted as chaplains. The masters of ceremonies were Dr O'llarau (secretary to [\\n 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 the other dioceses there were:—Fathers Robinson and Walsho (Melh.ournc), Marnane (Christchurch), Lewis (Timaru), Regnault (Waimate), Dewe (England). Archbishops Redwood and Carr (Melbourne) were also in the sanctuary.

Cardinal Moran having taken his seat at the altar, tho Bishop-elect was brought forward and presented. The Pontifical brief appointing Dr Michael Verdoii to succeed the late Bishop Moran to the charge of the See of Dunedin was then read by Father Lynch, Administrator of the diocese. The Bishop-elect then took the oath of duty aud fidelity to tho Pope, after which ho was examined, and having kissed the Cardinal's hand, the latter commenced tho celebration of Mass, and the Bishop-elect having assumed tho pectoral cross, assisted. The Cardinal having stated the duties of tho episcopacy, the Bishop-elect prostrated himself, and remained so while the Cardinal thrice blessed him, and a litany was sung. The Cardinal, with the cro/.iei- in hand, prayed that God might vouchsafe to bless, and sanctify, and consecrate the Bishop-elect. The- Book of tin) Gospels was then placed open on the shoulders of the elect, and then follow., d the imposition of hands by the Cardinal and assistant Bishops. Afterwards the Cardinal anointed tho whole tonsure and hands of tho new Bishop. The crozior and ring were then blessed and handed to the Bishop-elect, who made an .'tiering of two lighted torches, two loaves and two cruets. The Mass then proceeded, and the new Bishop received Holy Communion, after which the mitre was placed on his head, and the gloves blessed and put on. The new Bishop was then led to the episcopal chair by the Cardinal and Archbishop Carr. The "To Deum" was sung, and Bishop Vordon meanwhile made a circuit; of tho Church,giving his Pontifical ble.-sine to the c mgregation. Ho then resumed his seat in the episcopal chair. Archbishop Redwood then preached the consecration sermon, taking his text from John xv., 1(5: " You have not chosen mo,"

in which he indicated tho powers, jurisdiction, responsible ties,and duties of Bishops. 110 welcomed Dr Verdon to the ranks of the New Zealand hierarchy, and in conclusion he asked to be allowed to impersonate the new Bishop and address his people in the expressions of St. Augustine " Pray, my brethren, that you may never be felt as weight on our shoulders; let us lighten our burden by bearing it together." The Archbishop pronounced the benediction, and tho bulk of the congregation then camo forward to kiss the ring of tho now Bishop. Gounod's "Messo Solennolle" was tho music for tho occasion.