PRIMATE OF N.Z.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 April 1940, Page 7

PRIMATE OF N.Z.

BISHOP WEST-WATSON INSTALLED CEREMONY AT CHRISTCHURCH. FIRST OCCASION IN DOMINION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, April 7. Bishop West-Watson, Christchurch, was installed this afternoon as Primate and Archbishop of New Zealand. The ceremony was conducted by the retiring Primate, the Most Rev A. W. Averill, in the presence of a congregation nearly filling the Christchurch Cathedral. This was the first formal public in» stallation of a New Zealand Primate and Archbishop. The first two Primates. Archbishop Julius and Archbishop Averill, entered office without special services. The ceremony today, therefore, established a precedent. It was based upon the form for the installation of the Archbishop of Canterbury in England. There were certain essential differences, principal of which was the absence of authority for the State in the proceedings. About 40 clergy took part in the service. With the Archbishops. Bishop Holland, Wellington, the deans and canons of the cathedral, and archdeacons, sisters and deaconnesses and lay readers. they assembled for the procession into the cathedral through a guard of honour consisting of boys of the Cathedral Grammar School. The procession passed through the grounds and through the west door of the cathedral as the congregation sang the first hymn. When the clergy had. taken their places and the hymn was ended. Archbishop Averill announced the purpose of the ceremony. Dean Julius then led the congregation in prayer for God’s guidance and defence of the new Archbishop. The diocesan registrar. Mr E. P; Wills, chancellor of the diocese. Mr H. D. Andrews, the Bishop of Wellington. the Archbishops and their chap-> lains then proceeded to the chancel steps. Archbishop Averill exhibited the certificate of election of the new Archbishop, which was read by the regis« trar. The Archbishop-elect then made and subscribed to declarations of submission to the authority of the General Synod and of assent, to the 39 articles of religion. Book of Common Prayer and the ordering of bishops, priests and deacons. He affirmed his belief that the doctrine of the Church was agreeable to the Word of God, and promised in public prayer and administration of the Sacraments to use the forms prescribed in the Prayer Book and none other, except as far as should be ordered by lawful authority. After the Archbishop-elect had signed these declarations. Archbishop Averill placed him in his chair, set at the chancel steps, and announced his instalment as Archbishop. Archbishop Averill then led the congregation in prayer for Archbishop West-Watson, after which he handed to the new Archbishop the primatial cross, symbol of office. The Bishop of Wellington, as representative of the Church of the Province of New Zealand, uttered official recognition and acknowledgment of the new Archbishop and pledged his loyal and willing support and prayers. The Archbishops and their company returned to their places in the sanctuary during the singing of an anthem. To Deum was sung, after which Archbishop West-Watson entered the pulpit to preach a sermon. When the congregation had received the new Archbishop's blessing and the service was ended the clergy and choir left the cathedral in procession with Archbishop West-Watson leading them.