HISTORIC OCCASION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27572, 14 December 1950, Page 6

HISTORIC OCCASION

Visit Of Archbishop Of Canterbury

LITURGICAL WELCOME PA CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 13.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr G. F. Fisher, and Mrs Fisher did not reach Christchurch until after 6.30 p.m. today. Their motor trip from Nelson took longer than expected and a formal call on the Governor-General, Sir Bernard Freyberg, had to be postponed. The Archbishop was welcomed at a liturgical reception in the Christchurch Cathedral which had been planned for the inception of the scheme for settlement, Dr Fisher has a number of official engagements in the next two days before he takes part in the anniversary commemorations of the week-end, when he will preach at the religious service in which Cathedral square and Colombo and Worcester streets will be used as a great open air cathedral, seating 10,000 persons. . “ Especially we welcome you to Canterbury inasmuch as the Canterbury settlement is unique in the history of the Empire as being a Church of England settlement. Its very name expresses its reverence and affection for your own historic See,” said the Primate of New Zealand, Archbishop WestWatson, when he welcomed the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Cathedral on behalf of the province of the Church of New Zealand and the diocese of Christchurch. “We are deeply conscious of the heavy demands on your time and strength which have been made to make this visit to the Church in the Antipodes and correspondingly grateful for your generous willingness to pay us this visit. Settlers’ Plans “We welcome you to this cathedral church which the fathers of the colony planned to build as a symbol of their firm conviction that ‘ Except the Lord build the house they labour in vain that build it. Except the Lord build the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.’ Here in this building, which is for us stored with such sacred memories of the past, and which breathes such sacred hopes for the new century, we would assure your Grace of our reverence for the mother church and our gratitude . for the inspiration which we ever draw from its faith and worship.” Archbishop West-Watson said there was an abiding thankfulness for communiqn with the See of Canterbury, for the fellowship with the world-wide family of Anglican churches sharing in a sacred heritage of ordered liberty. "We pray that your visit will give us a new vision of the possibilities and responsibilities of our sacred mission, first to our own people and then to the peoples of our Pacific world. We thank you for coming, so full of inspiration for us, and trust that you will carry back with you to the Old Country happy memories of new lands and - new friendships and of a loyalty and affection which time cannot dim and distance cannot sever,” he concluded. The cathedral service in which the Archbishop of Canterbury was welcomed to Christchurch was simple. On arrival, Dr Fisher was met at the west door by Archbishop West-Watson and in the porch by the Dean of Christchurch, the Very Rev. A.- K. Warren, and the cathedral chapter. The clergy of the diocese were drawn up in the nave, and during a processional hymn, all moved to their places in the sanctuary. Prayers were said by the dean for the King, his Ministers and the Commonwealth, for the Church universal and the peace of the world, and in thanksgiving for the Canterbury pilgrims. The huge congregation then .recited the Apostles’ Creed. From the chancel steps, Archbishop West-Watson paid his tribute of welcome and from there Dr Fisher made his reply. The centennial hymn, composed by the Rev. J. R. Hervey, was followed by Te Deum Laudamus and then the Archbiship of Canterbury gave the Benediction. New Understanding “It is indeed an historic occasion that one who is the Archbishop of Canterbury should be present here with for your centennial celebrations, said Dr Fisher, replying. For myself, this visit has immeasurably enriched my understanding of the Church of England,” he said. “My visit hqs enlarged my understanding of the Anglican community, and it reminds me that as you in New Zealand have grown from tiny beginnings to full nationhood how also the Church of England has grown,” he continued. When Samuel Marsden came exoansion overseas was not very great, but now the church had spread to all parts of the world, giving birth to autonomous provinces in the Dominions, in India, China, Japan, end, if all went well, soon in West Africa, and there were also the missionary dioceses not yet developed to an autonomous State.