PRIMATE RETIRING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 October 1938, Page 6

PRIMATE RETIRING

ANNOUNCEMENT AT AUCKLAND SYNOD RESIGNATION TO TAKE EFFECT IN 1940 AFTER SERVICE OF 46 YEARS (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, This Day. After 24 years as Bishop of Auckland, and 13 as Primate of New Zealand, Archbishop Averill announced at the Auckland Synod today his intention of resigning his office in 1940. “In all probability the present Synod will have to face the sacred responsibility of nominating a bishop for this diocese,” he said, “and a very sacred responsibility it is—one which can only be undertaken rightly by men who really wait on God and endeavour to learn His will. It is my intention to seek permission from the Bench of Bishops to resign at the next General Synod in 1940, which will take place in Nelson, in the middle of February. I should prefer my resignation to take effect at some time in April of that year, as it probably will be more convienient for the diocese and the province that I should remain in office until after the close of the financial year.” Archbishop Averill said the date of his resignation was influenced to some extent by the fact that the Lambeth Conference would meet in 1940, and he knew from past experience how important it was for each province to be represented by its primate at that great gathering. For various reasons he could not undertake the journey to England. “If I am spared till 1940,” said the archbishop. “I shall have served the Church of the Province of New Zealand for 46 years—l 6 as a parish priest, and 30 as a bishop. I have no wish at the present juncture to say more, but thought it my duty to inform the diocese thus early of the probable date of my resignation.” ■