THE BISHOP CONSECRATED.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 29, Issue 8, 1 November 1938, Page 1

THE BISHOP CONSECRATED.

Before a large and representative gathering, including the Bishops of the Province of New Zealand, clergy and laity, the solemn and impressive consecration of the Rev. George Vincent Gerard as Bishop of the Diocese was observed m St. John's Cathedral, Napier, on October 28. The building was packed by people anxious to witness and take part m the most notable religious ceremony which Napier has seen for some years. The ceremony commenced at 10 a.m., when a very impressive procession was led by the Crucifer into the nave. The Crucifer was followed by the secretary of the Diocese (Mr. R. E. H. Pilson), the Chancellor (Mr. H. Holderness), the clergy, the canons and archdeacons, the visiting clergy, the verger, carrying the Cross and the Dean of Waiapu (the Very Rev. J. B. Brocklehurst)..Then came the Bishopelect, followed by the Bishops, of the Province of New Zealand with their chaplains, the preacher, the Bishop of Christchurch (ihe Rt. Rev. Dr. Campbell West- Watson), with His Grace the Archbishop of New Zealand (the Most Rev. Dr. A. W. Averill). The procession moved up the aisle as the choir led m the singing of the Processional Hymn (No. 604), and the clergy, upon reaching the front seats of the have, moved to either side to allow the Archbishops and the Bishops to pass through to their places. The clergy then moved to their positions m the nave. The Bishops' chaplains were seated m the front seats. The Bishops present, m addition to the Bishop of Christchurch, were the

Bishop of Waikato (the Rt. Rev. C. A. Cherrington) ; the Bishop of Aotearoa (the Rt. Rev. F. A. Bennett), the Bishop of Wellington (the Rt. Rev. H. St. Barbe Holland), the Bishop of Dunedin (the Rt. Rev. W. A. R. Fitchett), the Bishop of Nelson (the Rt. Rev. W. G. Hilliard), and the Rt. Rev. T. H. Sprott, retired Bishop. The Archbishop commenced the office of Holy Communion down to and including the Nicene Creed, following which the Bishop of Christchurch delivered an impressive and stirring sermon. At the conclusion of the sermon came the presentation of the Bishopelect. The Chancellor read the authority for Consecration and he handed it to the Diocesan secretary. The Bishopelect was then led forward and took the oath of allegiance to the Archbishop. This was followed by the Litany, which was led by the Bishop of Aotearoa, while the Archbishop and the Bishop-elect knelt together on the altar steps. After the singing of the beautiful hymn No. 209, the examination of the Bishop-elect followed, and then he retired to a side-chapel, where he donned his episcopal robes, returning to kneel at the altar steps. The Bishops gathered round the Archbishop while the kneeling congregation sang "Veni Creator." With the conclusion of the hymn came the solemn ceremony of the laying-on of hands, the Archbishop and all Bishops present placing their hands on the new Bishop's head as he knelt while the Archbishop said the words of consecration. Having placed the Cross round the neck of the Bishop of Waiapu, and presented him with the" Bible and pastoral staff, the Archbishop delivered the final exhortation. At the conclusion of the ceremony the order of the procession was:. His Grace the Archbishop, preceded by chaplain and followed by chaplains-of-honour; the Bishops of Waiapu, Christchurch, Waikato, Dunedin, Nelson, Wellington and Aotearoa i and their chaplains, with Bishop Sprott and chaplain; visiting .. clergy, the Crucifer, the choir, the clergy, the

canons and archdeacons, the verger and the Dean. The sermon by- the Bishop of Christchurch was fully reported m the daily papers, but it is regretted that there is no room for it here. The Bishop of Dunedin was Epistoller and the Bishop of Waikato Gospeller. The candidate was presented by the Bishop of Wellington and Bishop Sprott, under both of whom he has served.