THE NEW BISHOP

Hokitika Guardian, 29 January 1925, Page 4

THE NEW BISHOP

WHO WILL SUCCEED DR JULIUS? AUCKLAND, Jan. 27. A suggestion that the diocese of Christchurch may endeavour to induce Bishop Averill to become Bishop ot Christchurch .in succession to Archbishop Julius is contained in the Auckland “Church Gazette.’’ The matter is discussed in a leading article by Air Norman Burton, under the headings, “Big Things Happening in Christchurch. Election of Primate am* Bishop.” Prior to coming to Auckland as Bishop, Dr Averill served sixteen years in the diocese of Christchurch. From 19X0 to 1913 lie was Bishop of Wninpu, and then came to Auckland.

Tn canvassing tho position the “Church Gazette” says:—“Anglican Churcli people of the diocese of Christchurch are just now thinking about the election of a bishop to succeed Dr Julius whose resignation was announced in October last. The new Bishop will not necessarily become Primate and Archbishop, in New Zealand tlie Primacy is not permanently attached to any particular bishopric, it is a roving Primacy. The Primate, who now takes the title of Archbishop, is elected by GenVral Synod. Tit the past the senior bishop has always been Primate. There is no compulsion for the synod to select Lite senior bishop, hut in the ordinary course of events he is naturally regarded as the right man for the position. Tlis qualifications claim first consideration. At present the senior bishop is Dr Averill. llis great experience. sound judgment and gifts ol leadership fit him for the Primacy. Hie highest and most responsible position in the Churcli of the Province of New Zealand. The next in seniority is the Bishop of Wellington, hut when it was proposed a few years ago that AYollington should permanently he made the Primatical See he definitely stated that he would not accept the Primacy. As the Primate will he elected when the General Synod meets next mouth, and as the new bishop of the Church "ill not then have been elected the connection between the Primacy and the See of Christchurch will probably be severed, hut there remains a possibility of tho diocese of Christchurch endeavouring to capture the Bishop of Auckland. Such a move would he icgarded by Church people of Auckland as an unfriendly act. We cannot sj arc our bishop. His election as Primate and Archbishop would give pleasure, hut we want him to remain with us, not merely because we desire Auckland to ho ihe Primatical See, but mainly because we have learned to love and trust him and have confidence in him. lie is just the kind of bishop we need and wo want no change.”

The “Gazette” goes on to say: ‘lt is to he hoped that the diocese of Christchurch "ill find the right man for their bishop, a worthy successor of Bishop Harper and Archbishop Julius. Both have been great, though in different ways, and they have leil a high standard for their successor to live up to. Dr Julius has been an outstanding personality in New Zealand for more than a generation, and has exercised great influence for good, both in Church and State. He has shown himself tn he n big-minded and big-hearted man. He has often expressed views which have provoked opposition and controversy, but those who have disagreed with him have always respected him, because they knew that his motives were unquestionably good. He lias always been a generous opponent, llis leadership may at times have been uncertain hut who is there that is nlways sure of his way. except the man who lacks the courage or energy to move at all? As a preacher Dr Julius has very few superiors, and not many equals in the Anglican conimuninu. “The place of such a man is i.ot easily filled. The diocese of Christchurch may hare to he content, with a less striking personality, for Dr Julias lias exhibited an unusually rich combination of conspicuous gifts, cud Christchurch will be remarkably 1 uek.v if it finds a successor who will capture and retain the attention of the public as successfully and continuously as Dr Julius has done for thirty-live rears. Where is the man to he found? Search should he commenced in New Zealand. All other things being equal. | reference should he given to a Now Zealander. hut the first, consideration should he to get the best man. !he field of choice should not he limited by the boundaries of this Dominion. ’I t would he short-sighted policy to choose a New Zealander to succeed Dr Julius if a better man can he got elsewhere. Kan play must he given to our own clergy, hut the good of the Church must over-ride all local and personal claims. “At the present time the Church of New Zealand needs fresh ideas, and a flesh outlook. In England just now there is a now spirit abroad in the Church. Daring experiments are icing tried and adventures are being Made, of which churchmen of the Victorian period h:i(}„ never dared to dream. Everything seems to he in the meltingpot. Everything is being made iuw. During the present generation greater changes have' taken place in the Church in England than at any time since the Reformat inn. Intellectual difficulties are being tackled with remarkable energy and boldness. Far-reaching administrative reforms have been achieved and others are contemplated. 'lhe new Prayer Bool; will soon ho an accomplished fact. It would he a line thing for New Zealand to .secure as one of ils bishops a man of outstanding qualifications, intellectual, spiritual

and administrative, who has been living through this wonderful ferment, and who has taken active part in the great movements which have made the old C’liiirch of England the most living, adventurous and progressive religious body in Christendom.”