BISHOP OF AOTEAROA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3899, 4 December 1928, Page 29

BISHOP OF AOTEAROA.

REV. F. A. BENNETT CONSECRATED. A NOTABLE CEREMONY’. NAPIER, December 2. lhe Rev. Frederick Augustus Bennett was endowed with the office of Bishop of Aotearoa at St. John’s Cathedral to-day in the presence of a large assemblage of Maoris and Europeans. The consecration was performed by the Archbishop of the Province of New Zealand (Dr Averill), assisted by the six bishops of the province. It was a notable and affecting ceremonv. Its tenderness, perhaps, was its most impressive feature. It was unique in Church of England history in the Dominion in that both races joined to witness the consecration of the first Maori bishop. This feature was emphasised during the singing of the hymns, which were sung in both tongues at the same time with perfect harmony. Grouped on one side of the church were the Maoris, and on the other side were the pakehas, and between them the spectacular procession of choristers, clergy, and bishops proceeded to the places allotted. The archbishop, assisted by the Bishops of Wellington and Christchurch, conducted the early part of the service. Archdeacon H. Williams preached an inspiring sermon in both tongues. The bishop elect was presented by the Bishops of Waiapu and Wellington, and then he made his declaration. The litany was said in Maori, led by the Rev. Pine Tamahori. The examination of the bishop elect by the archbishop followed. - and then Mr Bennett donned the episcopal robes. This was followed by prayer and the consecration of the bishop elect and the presentation of a Bible. The sacrament was administered by the archbishop, assisted by the Bishops of Nelson, Waiapu, and Dunedin. In the course of his sermon, Archdeacon Williams said: “We are met together here to-day to assist by our prayers in the consecration of our brother who has been appointed to an office new to us in New Zealand and having features of undoubted novelty—that of suffragan bishop, whose work will be confined mainly to ministering to the members of the Maori race. The step we are taking is a momentous one for the church, and benefit or disaster will ensure according as our acts are agreeable with or in opposition to the principles of her foundation. The Gospel was first preached to Maoris by Samual Marsden on Christmas Day, 1814. Eleven years of toil and deferred hopes were necessary before the first convert was baptised. Then followed 15 years of rapid progress to 1840, during which the whole Maori race accepted, nominally it may be, Christianity. But in another 25 years disaster came. Fighting over the land question caused the defection of large numbers, and that wound has not yet been fully healed. In the meantime the church has continued her patient work, and in recent years there have been signs of a marked improvement, but it must be admitted that even yet the assimilation of the Maori into the organisation of the ch.. ch has not been complete. The Maori has undoubted gifts springing from the Holy Spirit which should play their part in the enrichment of the church. Means -are required to bring them into play. "Three years ago the General Synod, after much consideration, evolved a scheme for the constitution of a complete Maori diocese with a bishop, pakeha or Maori, at its head; but there were difficulties in making the appointment and the scheme was accordingly modified in the direction of having a Maori appointed as suffragan to the Bishop of Waiapu, and free to work among the Maoris elsewhere, also on the invitation of other bishops. We believe that the church h in the steps she has taken, been guided by the Holy Spirit, and we have a right to expect a continuance of that guidance; but it devolves upon us to have a right view of the matter. We must not consider that this appointment is being made merely as a convenient arrangement which will ease the dioceses of the responsibility of maintaining m a satisfactory condition their finance in regard to Maori work and relieve the bishops of the North Island from the burden of visiting remote portions of, their dioceses to minister to the Maori. Nor should we regard it as a gratifying compliment to our Maori brothers, enabling them to see one of themselves in episcopal dress performing episcopal acts. Still less is it intended as an empty honour conferred upon you, my brother, who have been called to this high office. You have laid upon you the grave responsibilities of strenuously preparing yourself by self-discipline, by prayer, and by a study of the Scriptures that you may be able to lead, to instruct, to c- ect your people, and to protect th-em from all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God’s word. This is indeed a weighty matter, and you can only succeed by using to the 'full all the gifts which God has given and will give you through His Holy Spirit and by looking through and beyond the details of your work to the ultimate aim of your ministry.

'• Y’ou are hoping that God may be pleased to use you as His instrument to " nn ?. a . ut a great spiritual revival in the Maori race, that there may be more communicants, more candidates for ordination, wider and deeper personal religion, whole-hearted zeal for the church under which ancient tribal jealousies may F IV -?j- way r° brotherly emulation in the building of beautiful churches, and in liberal contributions for their maintenance and the support of the clergy. But these are mere details, and your success in them will be but an empty dream unless you have behind you the prayers of the whole chi.-Ji, pakeha and Maori, bishops, clergy, and laity, all of us with yourself concentrated upon the oire high aim of the church and her ministry,—that God t 1 things may be glorified through Jesus Christ Whose is the glory and Dominion for ever and ever.”