CONSECRATION OF BISHOP LENIHAN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue XXI, 21 November 1896, Page 83

CONSECRATION OF BISHOP LENIHAN.

f'MHE consecration of the Right Rev. G. M. Lenihan, j D D., to the Roman Catholic bishopric of Auckland took place in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Auckland, on Sunday last The church was beautifully decorated for the occasion, thereby heightening the effect of a scene which the gorgeous ritual of the Church of Rome has invested with much that is imposing. There was a large number of people present, including manynot of the Roman Catholic communion, who had been attracted by the unusual characterof the function and the popularity of the Bishop-elect. Long before nine o'clock in the morning a crowd had begun to assemble outside the Cathedral, and when the doors were opened at that hour a short time sufficed to fill the building. Punctually at ten o’clock the procession of Bishops and Assistant-Pre-lates left the Presbytery and moved slowly along the pavement to the Cathedral, the members of the Hibernian Society forming on either side as a guard ofhonour. Those in the procession were as follows : - Bishop Lenihan (Auckland), Bishop elect ; Bishop Grimes (Christchurch), Consecrator ; Bishops Verdon (Dunedin) and Gallagher (Goulbonrn), Assistant-Prelates ; Mons Paul (Onehunga) ami McDonald (Panmure and Howick) ; Rev. Fathers O’Hara (Otahuhu), O’Reilly (Thames), Dr. Egan, 0.5.8. (St. Benedict’s), M. Egan (Coromandel), Purton. 0.5.8. (Ponsonby), Gillan (Ponsonby), Mulvihill (St. Patrick’s), Kehoe (Te Aroba), Hackett (Paeroa), McMillan (Pukekohe), Launuyel (Opotiki), Amandolini (Hamil ton), Ohlsen (Tonga), Gregory (Newton), Cummings, S.M., V.G. (Christchurch), Aubrey, S.M., Provincial (Sydney), Ginaty, S.M. (Christchurch), Kirk, S.M. (Wanganui), Grogan, S.M. (Napier), Smythe, S.M. (Hastings), McGrath (Hawera), Golden (Patea), McKenna (New Plymouth), Buckley (St Patrick’s), Luck, 0.5.8. (Kihikihi), and four Maori missionaries. When the procession reached the Cathedral door the choir sang Stein's ‘ Ecce Magnus,’ and the Bishop-elect having received the sprinkler, sprinkled the clergy and people near him with holy water. Then the proc< ssion moved to the altar, and the ceremonies of consecration were proceeded with. They occupied a long time, not concluding till after one o’clock, when the Right Rev. John Gallagher, D.D., Titular Bishop of Andrassa and Coadjutor-Bishop of Goulburn (New South Wales), preached the sermon for the day—an interesting and powerful discourse on the text * Take heed to yourself and to the whole flock wherein the Holy Ghost has placed you a bishop, to rule the Church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure ravening wolves will enter in among you not sparing the flock.’ Acts xx. 28. The imposing ceremonies were witnessed with close attention by the congregation, who were enabled to follow them with comparative ease by the help of of a little brochure on the consecration of a Bishop according to the rite of the Holy Roman Church.’ The scene at the altar when the bishops and clergy were all assembled in their robes was magnificent and impressive, and the excellent music of the orchestra and choir still further heightened its effectiveness. The most imposing parts of the service were when the head of the elect is anointed with the Holy Chrism, his crozier and ring blessed, and the Book of the Gospels delivered to him ; when he makes his offering of two loaves, two lighted wax torches, and two barrels of wine at the high altar and receives the mitre ; and when, after having been enthroned, he is led through the church to bless the people. On Sunday evening Pontifical vespers were held in the Cathedral, the new Bishop presiding, and Bishop Grimes preached from St. Matthew xxviii, 18 and 20. The following clergy took part : —Rev. Father Kirk (deacon), Rev. Father Hackett (sub-deacon), Rev. Father Cummings (assistant), the Rev. Fathers Egan and Aubrey (canters), and the Rev. Fathers McKinnon, McGarth, Grogan, and Smith (copemen) The music as in the morning was fine. In Aldega’s ‘ Laudate,’ the solos were taken by Miss C. Lorrigan, Mrs Hiscock, Miss Hargreaves, Miss Lonergan, Mrs Tuohy. In Eslava’s ’ Salva Regina,’ the duets were taken by Mons. Casier and Mr Parish, aud the Misses Hargreaves and Lonergan. Miss C. Lorrigan and Mrs Hiscock sang * O Salutaris,’ a duet specially composed for the occasion by Herr Carl Schmitt. At the end of the consecration service Bishop Lenihan entertained the prelates and clergy to dinner at St. Mary's Convent, the toasts being the Pope, the Queen, the visiting prelates, etc. The vocalists, instrumentalists, ami others who had assisted were entertained in the evening. Much credit is due to the committees for the way in which they carried out the arrangements. These committees were under the supervision of one general committee, of which the Hon. J. A. Tole was chairman, Mr W. Tole vice-chairman, Mr P. Brophy treasurer, and Mr M. J. Sheahan secretary. On Monday evening a conversazione was tendered to the Roman Catholic Bishops and Clergy- in the Choral Hall. The function was a most successful and brilliant one. Next week we shall publish a series of splendid engravings of the function ami those who took part in it.