Bishop’s blessing: Faithful flock to event
As most Cantabrians headed outside to take advantage of a perfect summer’s day, about 1400 Catholic faithful packed Christchurch Boys’ High School to witness their new leader installed.
The ordination of the 10th Bishop of the Catholic diocese of Christchurch, Paul Martin, on Saturday was one of high church pomp and ceremony – but with a distinctly Kiwi flavour.
A Māori powhiri with a haunting wero, or challenge, brought the bishop-elect into the hall, with other Māori elements including waiata and a greeting-in taking turns with usual Catholic traditions of long robes, candles and hymns.
Dressed in their Sunday best, parishioners came from all over the Canterbury and West Coast diocese and reflected the ethnic and generational diversity within the church.
After the mass and its confessions, hymns, prayers and Bible readings came time for the new bishop’s appointment.
Pope Francis’ representative in New Zealand, Archbishop Martin Krebs, or ‘‘one of the top guys’’, as one parishioner said, spoke about the commitment Martin was making to serve the diocese and the responsibility each Catholic had to support him.
Following an ‘‘examination’’ by Krebs in which the bishop reaffirmed his commitment to the role, he ceremonially lay down on his stomach.
As the congregation stood to say a long prayer for the saints, Martin remained prostrate on the floor as the other bishops stood around him in prayer.
After being officially sworn in, he was anointed with oil and given a ring, mitre and pastoral staff.
The new bishop will oversee the spiritual welfare of about 11,000 Catholics in the region.
The diocese has been under the temporary leadership of Father Rick Loughnan since the death of former Bishop Barry Jones two years ago.
For Martin, at 50 relatively young for a bishop, the post will be a long commitment as church policy dictates he remains in the role until he is 75.
His most pressing task will be a decision on the future of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, which will cost an estimated $70 million to repair.