THE NEW BISHOP.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 564, 30 November 1915, Page 3

THE NEW BISHOP.

DR GRIMES'S SUCCESSOR.

A DISTINGUISHED CAREER. Monsignor Matthew Joseph Brodie, who, as announced yesterday, has been appointed by his Holiness the Pope to succeed the late Dr Grimes as Bishop of Christchurch, is a native of New Zealand, having been born at Goromandel 43 years ago. He will be the youngest bishop in the Dominion. He received his education in the Marist Bros.' School at Ponsonby, and then, being destined for the Church, was sent to the Manly Seminary, Sydney, where he studied under Dr Vernon, now Bishop of Dunedin. He had a most distinguished career as a student, and was leader in all his classes. He also excelled in games and sports. In 1898 the future bishop returned to New Zealand, and was ordained at Auckland by the late Bishop Lenihan, and was for some time assistant-priest at St. Benedict's, Auckland. Later, he worked in Puhoi and Helensville district for two years, and was then stationed at Waihi. Here he remained for over ten years, where he did splendid work, building churches and schools, and generally setting the parish on a sound basis. He was parish priest at Waihi during the big mining strike, and, by his courageous and disinterested efforts towards a settlement, did much to heal the unfortunate differences which had arisen.

While' in Waihi, Father Brodie was raised to" the position of Archdeacon. "* His hard work undermined his health, and he went for a recuperating trip to Australia. On his return he was appointed VicarGeneral, and raised to the dignity of Monsignor. He was subsequently appointed Administrator of St. Patrick's Cathedral. From there he was transferred to the parish of Parnell as irremovable Rector. On the recommendation of Bishop Ck-ary, he was raised by his Holiness to the dignity of Domestic Prelate. Monsignor Brodie was a prominent member of the Hibernian Society, and his active interest in athletics is evidenced by the fact that he has been for years a member of the Auckland Rugby Referees' Asso- i eiation.