THE NEW ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1290, 19 November 1896, Page 41

THE NEW ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP.

CEREMONIES AT THE CONSECRA-

ITON OF DR LENIHAN. Auckland, November 15

The consecration of the Right Rev Dr Lenihan as Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland took place at 10 a.m. to-day at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the consecrating prelate being Bishop Grimes (of Christchurch), and the assistant prelates Bishop Gallagher (of Goulburn) and Bishop Verdon (of Dunedin). The Cathedral was crowded to excess with people of all denominations. Apart from the importance of the event, additional interest was attached to the occasion from the fact that this was the first function of its kind in Auckland. Father Lenihan, too, after his years of residence here, possesses the respect in the highest degree, not only of the Roman Catholics, but of members of all other churches. Solemn High Mass and the ceremony of the consecration commenced at the hour named, the preacher being the Right Rev Dr Gallagher. As the procession entered the Cathedral the choir sang “Ecce Sacerdos.” The apostolic commission having been read, the Bishop-elect recited the oath of duty and fidelity to the Roman Pontiff, and also recited the examination, which was made in almost the identical words prescibed by the fourth Council of Carthage. The examination being finished the Bishop-elect was clothed with the tunic, etc., and the litanies ended, the consecrating Bishop received the book of the gospels opened, and next the consecratingßishop and assisting Bishops touched the head of the elect with both hands, saying, “ Receive thou the Holy Ghost.” The elect’s head was then anointed and consecrated, and the crozier, ring, gloves and mitre blessed. At the offertory, the new Bishop returned to the high altar and made the offerings of two loaves, two lighted torches and two small barrels of wire. The Bishop received from his fellow-Bishops the kiss of peace prior to the “Te Deum,” and the Bishop was enthroned and the congregation blessed.

Bishop Gallagher, in the course of his sermon, said the ceremony Avas a reproduction of the first consecration of an apostle after the ascension of our Lord. Bis Lordship then referred at length to the Avork performed by bishops in _ past ages in leading to the highest cßilisation. Bishops AA r ere iioaa- stripped of their earthly splendours, and stood on no other ground than their own apostolic succession. The bishop of the 19th century Avas stronger, in his opinion, for the change, for history taught him not to be fond of being in the courts of kings ; but a Catholic bishop Avas tenfold more to-day the servant of his people. Among other things a bishop can do, he said, is to turn a tyrant from the sanctuary, be that tyrant either a despot or a democracy. There Avas no tyranny more brutally despotic than the despotism of a multitude —a democracy or majority divorced from a sense of religion. Millard’s “ Solemn Mass in G,” Runberg’s “ Te Deum,” &c., Avere sung by the choir, Avhich Avas strengthened by Mr Arthur ToAvsey and the members of the Liedertafel, and the orchestra Avas also reinforced by some leading instrumentalists of the city. An imposing procession of prelates and priests, over 40 strong, left the presbytery prior to the ceremony, passing through a guard of honour formed by the Hibernian Society and other societies and notabilities, thence under triumphal arches into the Cathedral.

Preparations on a lavish scale Avere made for the fitting decoration of the interior of the Cathedral. Arches bearing appropriate devices Avere erected at the entrance to the Cathedral, and also at the exit from the presbytery. The freize over the divisional arches between the new portion of the building and the old bore in Avkite letters on a crimson ground the Avords “ Ecce Sacerdos Magnus” (“Behold the High Priest”). Under the side arches Avere large medallions bearing the names of preceding bishops of the diocese, in the centre being a shield Avith Bishop Lenikan’s name upon it. At vespers Bishop Grimes preached to a croAA-ded congregation. A conversazione Avill take place to-morrow evening in the Choral Hall, Avhen a number of addresses Avill be presented to Bishop Lenihan.