Consecration Of New Bishop Of Melanesia

Chronicle (Levin), 3 February 1948, Page 5

Consecration Of New Bishop Of Melanesia

Press Association)

(Per

Al (. KLA.N I), I-cli. _. A score of slockv, erinkly-liaired Solomon Islamb'rs wero nmong t tio con gr-'galion of loou clcrgy and laity wlm •a it iicsscd tlic consecration of the Dean of Auckland, ihe Very Uev. S. (} '"milton, Aichuishoj) of Alelancsia, in Si, Alary's ( 'atliedral. Yisiting Auckland as menihers of the erew of tioMis. ion vessel Southern ('ross, tliey saw the KJth ceiiturv cereinony re-enacted n the firesenrution of their Bishop clec ! , his jniblic exuinination in the faitii and docfrine, his "acceptance and his first eouiiuunion willi a scarletrolied contpany of Xew Zenlaml I tishojis. Tlie consecrator was Bislioo 1 '. A. ( 'berrington, of Waikato, uho a--enior Bishop, represented the Priniate, Aic.'ihislioji West-Watson. All seven Xew Zealand Bishops were present. Delivering the consecration serinon. A rchdcacon II. Hodgson, of Rotorua, foriacr .Wclancsian imssionary, recalled Ihe proud rccord of the native clergy during the dark days of the invasion which, he said, had revealed theii hiyalty and their love for the elturcii. Mehinesiau people now faced many priddcnis but they were essentially t lisanie lovable people and loyal to tli«* ••liurch that had brought tliem from darkness to light, although problenis aliounded. Bishop Caulton had been c.alled to his new oflice because he was eminently suited for it. Archdeacon Hodgson referred to the ne-w Bishop s evpeiience and knowledge of .Melanesia and stated that ihe natives knew In was a mai) to be trusted. His soli«! work and deep spirituality would give ■Melanesian lendership the inspirat ion that was needeil in the coming fatefu: vears.