BISHOP OF DUNEDIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22204, 6 March 1934, Page 6

BISHOP OF DUNEDIN

ARCHDEACON FITCHETT NOMINATION ACCEPTED DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED The diocesan registrar, the Rev. Canon C. H. Stathcm, has received official notification from Archbishop Avcrill .that the Ven. Archdeacon W. ! A. R. Fitchett has accepted nomination as Bishop of the See of Dunedin. The nomination has to be submitted to the several standing .committees of the synods of the province for their sanction, and when this has been obtained Archbishop Averill will take the necessary steps for the consecration of the bishop-elect, which .will take place at St. Paul’s Cathedral, probably in July. ' At a recent meeting ot the parishioners of St. John’s, Roslyn, Mr W. E. Earn: shaw, churchwarden and one of Ihe synodsmen for the parish, reported that at the special session of synod at which Archdeacon Fitchett had been elected for nomination as bishop, it was made clear that the revenue from the bishopric endowment fund had, owing to reductions Of rent and interest, become insufficient for a new bishop to-accept office and to take up residence at the See house 1 , “ Lis Escop.” A suggestion had been made that acceptance of nomination might be made possible if arrangements could be made for Archdeacon Fitchett to remain vicar of St. John’s, to have

the assistance of an experienced parish priest, and reside at St. John’s vicarage after consecration.

It was reported that the vestry had met, and passed the following resolutions:—

That the vestry learns with very great pleasure and pride that the vicar (Archdeacon W. A. R. Fitchett) has received the Diocesan Synod’s nomination to the office of Bishop of Dunedin, and offers him congratulations. It prays and trusts that he Will be Divinely guided to a right decision as to the acceptance of this high and responsible position in the church. That the- vestry assures the vicar of its'co-operation and help in anything that it can do to assist him to accept the office of bishop. .... J , Owing to the present depleted state of the bishopric endowment fund income and the difficulty regarding his >. establishing himself in the See house, it freely consents to endeavouring to make what arrangements it can for him to - remain vicar dt Roslyn after consecration as bishop and continue his residence at the vicarage. 1 ■ • . After a full discussion- of the position, it was made clear that there ' Was ,a general desire that the- archdeacon should remain in the parish, and on the motion of Dr A. R. Falconer, seconded by the Rev. Dr J. B. Holloway, the following resolution was passed:— This meeting of parishioners of St. John’s, Roslyn, endorses the resolutions; passed at the special vestry meeting on February ’2l, and empowers the vestry to take what steps it considers in the best interests of the parish to arrange for, the vicar to continue as vicar of Roslyn after his acceptance of nomination at Bishop of Dunedin and consecration to that office. r

That the parishioners of St. John’s, Rostyn, extend to the vicar, Archdeacon W, A. R. Fitchett, M.A., their congratulations on. .his haying received fthe ■Diocesan Synod’s nomination as Bishop of Dunedin. -

They pray that he will be Divinely guided to a right decision as to the acceptance of this high and responsible office in the church. Archdeacon Fitchett thanked the parishioners for their kindly and helpful attitude, and explained that should he find it necessary to remain in charge of the parish as suggested,'ho, would receive no stipend from the parish, but the amount he at present received would be used to provide the assistance of an experienced parish priest and to defray certain other costs. THE FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT. «,A REGRETTABLE LEAKAGE.” (Pee United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 5. The publication of the news of the kppointment of Archdeacon W. A. R. Fitchett to the bishopric of Dunedin is the subject of comment in this month’s issue of the Church News, which alleges that a breach of confidence occurred regarding the announcement of the appointment, and also of a breach of etiquette in the publication of the names of the other persons nominated for the position. “By a regrettable—shall we say? error of judgment on the part of some person acquainted with what went on at the Electoral Synod of Dunedin Diocese on February 20, the Dunedin morning paper was placed in possession of certain information concerning the election. It should be clearly and definitely stated that the Bishop of Christchurch, who presided as the Archbishop of New Zealand’s Commissary, did not, as the Press Association despatch published in Christchurch possibly seemed to imply, makemny public announcement regarding the election whatsoever,” stales the Church News. “He was astounded on the following day to read in the Dunedin newspaper what purported to be an authentic report of the proceedings, in spite of the fact that they wore conducted strictly in camera as is usual,” After making further reference to the appointment the Church News adds: “The real fault lies, not so much with the newspapers, as with some indiscreet person connected with the synod. The Press Association despatch stated that five other nominations were considered. This indicates a still more regrettable leakage from the synod, resulting in the violation of the tradition of the church that the proceedings of an Electoral Synod shall be confidential, at least within the lifetime of the persons most concerned.”