A BISHOP RESIGNS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 869, 16 July 1910, Page 6

A BISHOP RESIGNS.

6 ILLNESS OF DR. NELIGAN. POSITIVE ORDERS FROM HIS DOCTOR. RETURNING TO ENGLAND IN OCTOBER. ' (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Auckland, July 15. The Anglican Bishop of Auckland (Dr. Neligan) has forwarded his resignation to the Primate, stating that continued illness during the last two monthß has led to this step.. Ho feels under the circumstances that he cannot effectively do the -work of such a large and important diocese, and expresses a desire to return to England hefore the close of the year. The standing committee of the diocese has unanimously passed a resolution and forwarded it to tho Bishop to tho effect that the committee has learned of his resignation on the grounds of ill-health with profound sorrow and a. keen sense of great loss. It would earnestly, request the reconsideration of this step did it not know that in the interests of the Bishop's health it had been urged by the best medical advice. It desired to pjaoe on, record its grateful sense of those untiring labours of the Bishop which ha.d resulted in the wrecking of his health, and also of how often during his .short episcopate the-Bishop had inspired very many of his people with higher ideals of service for the Master's sake. (Dr. Neligan was consecrated Bishop of Auckland in 1903.] LETTER TO THE PRIMATE. In his letter to the Primate (Dr. Nevill, Bishop ofDunedin), Dr. Neligan states:— "It is my painful duty to place in your hands, in accordance with Title A,

Canon 1, Clause 12,, my resignation of the See of Auckland, and to fix October 15, 1910, as the day upon which I desire to retire from the duties of my office. The cause of my resigha-. tion is one beyond my control: positive qrders from my doctor. I had a warning breakdown-of health in July last year,; and my breakdown, in May this yea'Whas been of such a character as to prohibit me from effectively continuing the oversight of. such a diocese as this. I purpose returning to England, with my family, on October 20, and, if it be God's ,will, I hope to be allowed to do some less responsible work there. He has seen fit to withdraw me from- the office of leadership: I- am content to go ■ back again and stand among the rank and file for so long as may be His will. For the welfare of the Church of .the Province of New Zealand, and the future of this conntry, I shall over cherish fervent thoughts before" the "God and Father Who bade mo try to servo Him here." TO THE CLERGY. ' The following is the Bishop's letter to his. clergy:— ' ■. "I write, with very real pain, to tell you that 1 have placed my resignation of tlie See of Auckland in- the hands of the Primate, and that I have requested, in terms of the Canon, to bo relieved of-the duties of my office on October 15. In July of last year I had a warning that the strain of work here was rather .beyond my *powers. With due regard to tho claims of the diocese, I endeavoured to heed the warning. . In May this year I had a breakdown sufficiently serious to force me to place myself unreservedly in the hands of the doctor. - After two -months, waiting, and after joint medical consultation, I am clear that my duty to the Church in. this diocese is to resign my position of leadership. You will, I know, believe that the decision has not. been hastily arrived at, nor have the issues involved b'con neglected my myself or my advisers.' In 1902 I believed it to bo my duty to' accept' tho call of the Church in this diocese to bo its leader. Equally do I believe -it to bo my duty now to give up that leadership. I have always hoped, that God would give me the pluck -to resign my work here should He, at any time, see fit not to continue that abundant measure of health and stpngth with which for many years Ho' had blessed me. The timo has now come. I must give 'up my leadership in a post, privileged because difficult, in the fight for, the Faith, and-go back to stand again among tho rank and file for so long as our Heavenly Father, may see to bo meet and right. I am content. I have no work in prospect; but 'I am satisfied that Ho. Who budo vou, through' Synod, to call mo,to-work here I wiH'also,.in His own way and time, givo [mo such other work, elsewhere.-and under- conditions of less.strain, as Ho wants me to do. I cannot avoid believing that tho time for tho chango in leadership has beou ordained' of God. Apart from", the facts of the diocese being fairly well-organised, and St.. John's College being now practically saved, there is tho General Mission. By tho |,power of tho Holy Spirit the thoughts of the. whole diocese will be, as a result of the-mission, more than ever concentrated on tho spiritual meaning and work of the Kingdom of our Blessed Lord and Saviour. tinder tho fresh impulse of. high thoughts and piiro resolves Synod wil) moot on. October 21, under a commissary, .and proceed to the solemn duty and privilege of electing a Bishop. Thus, with every prospect of spiritual force and .without any undue delay in .diocesan activities., tho outcome of the General -Mission can bp carried on by the next Bishop. To part from you, my brothers, in the sacred ministry alid stewardship of the mysteries of God is a big wrench. Beyond words have I valued your loyal friendship, trust, confidence, as, timo and .jou. Jia-ve had to- bo patient with

mo and trustful of my leadership. God grant that, notwithstanding mistakes, that leadership has extended-His Kingdom a little horo on earth. Knowinglv, i have noveribeen unjust or unfriendly to any man. If, unknowing, I have ever hurt any man among you, I nrav" that man to forgive me. I shall ever remember you and yours in my prayers. you sometimes remember me an* miner "Your faithful friend and Bishop, '■■-. "M. R.,i Auckland^ TO THE LAITY. fol'lo I ws^ Op,S ktt<Jr to thfl kAy » **■■* "With sincere regret I write to . tell you that, in obedience to doctor's orders, I have placed my resignation of the See of Auckland in tne hands of the" Primate. Within less' than a year I have had two illnesses, the last ; has been'of such a character that, after waiting for two months, I - have come to the conclusion 'that I.cannot hope to continue 'effectively work such as a diocese, of this importance in a young country necessarily entails. I have asked the Primate to relieve me of the duties of my office on October 15, and it is toy intention.to re-, turn, to' England and seek for such.'.' 'work of less strain as God may grant me the power to do. I have written at length to the clergy on the matter, and, as that letter will ,be published, I need not trouble you now by its recapitulation. I know, from happy experience, .that the great body of laity in this diocese trust' me enough to • know and believe that my action is dictated by care for the work of' tie Church in this young' country. For over seven years I have experienced the • great joy of knowing that tie laity of this diocese have trusted me. In Synod, Standing .Committee, Trusty Boards, committees of all sorts, this trust has been exhibited over and over again; and it has been a constant source of strength. From the bottom of. my, Heart I am grateful. I have tried to merit your confidence. If in aught I have caused you'pain or hurt, I ask you to forgive me and to believe that, withstanding all mistakes, I have honestly tried to do my duty-in that terribly responsible office to which, through! • the Synod of this diocese, God calledi me in.1902. : ' '~ '■May He ever bless you and yours.-' "Your faithful friend and Bishop, ; , "M; R. Auckland,**