New Bishop of Port Augusta

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LI, Issue 28, 2 July 1924, Page 33

New Bishop of Port Augusta

CONSECRATION OF? DR?: KILLIAN.

The most important religious ceremony that has taken place in South Australia, outside the capital city, was witnessed at St. Anacletus’ Cathedral, Peterborough, on Sunday, the 15th pit., when the Right Rev. Andrew Kdivan, D.D., received episcopal consecration at the hands of his Grace the Archbishop of Adelaide (Most Rev. Dr. Spence, 0.P.). The Cathedral was densely crowded, the congregation being estimated at over 3000, while many hundreds were unable to gain admission. A notable gathering of prelates. and clergy from all parts of‘Australia, included beside the consecrating Bishop, his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne (Most Rev. . Dr. Mannix), his Lordship the Bishop of Wilcannia-Forbes (Right Rev. Dr. Hayden), his Lordship the Bishop of Wagga-Wagga (Right Rev. Dr. Dwyer),''his Lordship *the Bishop of Sandhurst (Right Rev. Dr. McCarthy), and his Lordship 'the Bishop-elect of Goulburn (Right Rev., Dr. Barry)- The assistant bishops were Right Rev. Dr. Hayden and Right Rev. Dr. Dwyer. At the close of the religious ceremonies the clergy of Port Augusta presented the new Bishop with a roll-top desk, and addresses from the clergy and laity, congratulating Dr. Killian on his new dignity, were also read. ' In the course of his reply Dr. Killian said he returned sincere thanks for their warm welcome. Paying a tribute to the work of those who had preceded him, he said it would be an incentive to their own generation to do their share. He proposed that the laity should take the words of his own motto, “In faith and charity,” as the standard and Watchword of their lives and conduct.. ; , ' , V Replying to the priests, Dr. Killian said .that the fact ; that( his ? appointment was the fulfilment-* of their desire

and prayers was to him a source of courage and- confidence .: in the face of many misgivings and, fears arising from his sense of his unfitness ' for the exalted office. How great ; was his unfitness was borne - upon his mind when they re- '■ ferred .to his venerable . predecessors, who accomplished , great and glorious good in the far-flung territory of Port Augusta. He added: , : “We need not go beyond my own immediate predecessor, ' your late beloved Bishop, Dr. Norton, In spirit, we may well believe he is with us now, at to-day’s great ceremonial. This magnificent church and this splendid Bishop’s residence will perpetuate his memory for all time in the parish of Peterborough and in the diocese of Port Augusta. His -genius, his zeal, his generosity, his passionate devotion to the Church and to his diocese made it possible for the consecration of his successor to take place in the midst of his own priests and his own people. By his own wish, his mortal remains are interred in the cemetery where lie so many of his own people, whom he loved, so well. It shall be my first duty, as, indeed, it will be a privilege, to seek your co-operation in marking his last resting-place with a monument befitting of his work in- the parish . ami befitting his benefactions to the diocese. “I wish to thank you, one and all, dear Fathers, for A the constancy and devotion with which you carried out your duties in your respective parishes during the interregnum; especially do I feel it incumbent upon me to publicly recognise the ability and zeal of the venerable Vicar-Qapitular. During all these months he administered the diocese with success, and so has made the task of my taking over a comparatively easy one.” , After the addresses, the newly-consecrated Bishop tendered the visiting prelates and clergy a banquet, whilst the ladies provided luncheon for the laity. In the evening the Very Rev. Father Sullivan, S.J, (Superior of the Jesuits) preached the occasional sermon, and more presentations were made by the people and the societies to Dr. Killian. On Monday evening th# rejoicings concluded with a social in th® Peterborough Town Hall.