APPOINTMENT OF NEW BISHOP OF WAIAPU

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 35, Issue 3, 1 May 1944, Page 8

APPOINTMENT OF NEW BISHOP OF WAIAPU

The appointment of a new Bishop of Waiapu to succeed the Rt; Rev. G. V. Gerard, C.8.E., M.C., who has resigned due to his military service overseas will engaged the interest of church people of the Diocese. Archdeacon J. B. Brocklehurst who acted as Vicar-General for some years m the absence of Bishop Gerard overseas has been appointed by Archbishop West- Watson, Primateof New Zealand, to act as his Comiriissary during the vacancy of the Bishopric. According to the Canons of General Synod, the episcopal ' powers and supervision of a diocese duririg such vacancy devolve upon the Primate and he can appoint a. commissary for general purposes. The Archbishop will subsequently also appoint a Commissary to convene the Synod of the Diocese, to preside at such Synod and to take the necessary steps for the nomination of, and election of a bishop. If the usual custom m this Diocese is followed Standing Committee will , probably appoint a committee to receive the names of those nominated, make inquiries and to collect all the information necessary to lay before' the Synod of Election. This committee will probably send a letter to all synodsmen explaining the steps to be followed. The fixing of the date for the election will no doubt be done by Standing Committee at a meeting to beheld early m May, with the concurrence of the presiding commissary. The probability is that this may take place m September . and that the ordinary, session of Synod will preceed the special session for the election. The difficulties of travel arid hospitality seem, to suggest this as the most reasonable course to follow.