NZ Catholic Newspaper

Bishop Browne’s long service honoured

Michael Otto — Wed, 13 May 2015 22:00:11 +0000

by JOHN FONG
Twenty years of episcopal ministry of Bishop Emeritus Denis Browne in Hamilton diocese was celebrated in a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hamilton on April 16.

Bishop Denis Browne is warmly applauded at the end of a Mass honouring his 20 years of episcopal service in Hamilton diocese.

Joining in the celebration were Cardinal John Dew, apostolic nuncio Archbishop Martin Krebs, Bishops Stephen Lowe, Patrick Dunn, Owen Dolan, Barry Jones and Stuart O’Connell, together with priests, deacons and people of the diocese.
Bishop Browne was bishop of Hamilton diocese from 1994 to November 22, 2014, when Bishop
Stephen Lowe succeeded him. He had earlier been Bishop of the Cook Islands and Niue (1977-1983) and the 10th Bishop of Auckland, from 1983 to 1994.
He was bishop of three dioceses over 38 years.
Bishop Browne was ordained a priest on June 30, 1962, at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Auckland and
served in Gisborne, Papatoetoe, Remuera and Tonga (1975-1977). On June 29, 1977, he was consecrated a bishop in Auckland. He became the Bishop of Auckland on August 24, 1983, and served there until 1994, when he became Hamilton diocese’s second bishop on the death of Bishop Edward Gaines.
In his homily, Bishop Browne told how the apostles focused their attention on the Risen Lord. Those powers given to the apostles are given to bishops today.
The primary purpose of a bishop is to proclaim the Word of God and to apply it to the congregation he serves. It’s a frightening responsibility, but it is the Lord who does this, he said.
Priests share in the role, and this task is collaborative with the bishop, as the parish belongs to the bishop. It was good, he said, to see priests warmly welcome Bishop Lowe into their midst.
The Chrism Mass is special as the priests renew their vows to the Lord. Bishop Browne sensed the love and loyalty of the people gathered that day and witnessed the commitment of the priests — may Bishop Lowe be blessed.
Quoting St Ignatius, Bishop Browne said priests should be in relationship to, and correspond closely with, the bishop. They should be attuned to the bishop, like the strings of a harp, moving as one in harmony.
Through baptism, he said, we share this spirit of life in Christ. The congregation’s faith uplifts bishop and priests.
Bishop Browne concluded with the blessing that the bishop and priests walk with the people, as together “we walk the journey of our Risen Lord”. Bishop Lowe thanked Bishop Browne for being a good and faithful servant. “There is sadness in this occasion, as a bishop has a spousal bond with the people that he loves. In a way, the relationship changes and it is the closing of another chapter in the history of the Hamilton diocese.
“You have touched the people individually. As priest and shepherd, you have led them to Jesus
Christ. May the Lord care for and bless you,” he said.

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‘Oldest’ parish priest dies with his boots on

NZ Catholic Staff — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 04:57:25 +0000

by KATHLEEN CASEY
CHRISTCHURCH — The pastor believed to be New Zealand’s oldest Catholic parish priest has been promoted. At age 92, Msgr Tom Power of Beckenham left to meet his beloved Master on June 28 after a short illness.
“He made it clear he loved being a priest,” said Bishop Barry Jones at the requiem Mass celebrated on July 4 at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral.
“His love of the Mass and his belief meant that he wanted to do this for as long as he could,” Bishop Jones said.

Msgr Tom Power on his 90th birthday.

As director of Catholic schools in Christchurch from 1962 to 1976, Msgr Power was heavily involved in Government negotations on integration, while also a full-time parish priest and the diocesan chancellor. He also served on the financial councils of the seminary and the bishops’ conference.
“One of his lasting contributions was his design and development of the clergy trust fund,” said Bishop Jones. In the early 1970s this introduced equal remuneration based on justice, charity and fairness rather than on what a particular parish provided. Msgr Power’s accountancy skills and his relationship with fellow priests won support for something very new, said Bishop Jones. This remains a radical move.
Msgr Power negotiated changes and managed stress after Vatican II and always remained in good spirits, the bishop said.
Raised in Greymouth in a long-lived family of seven, Tom Power was educated by the Marist Brothers. He was conscripted at age 21, in 1941. He entered Holy Cross seminary in 1947, and was ordained in 1953.
His first appointment was to Ngahere on the West Coast, followed by chaplaincy at Burnham military camp. Other appointments were to Ashburton, the Chatham Islands, St Albans, Kaiapoi, and Beckenham in 1987.
Msgr Power was made a Prelate of Honour in 1977. He is survived by two brothers, Leo and Kevin (Br Gabriel, FMS) and a sister, Eileen Gebbie.
Interviewed for his 90th birthday two years ago, Msgr Power explained why he didn’t want to retire? “If I sat and looked at four walls I’d go mad,” he said. Needing a hip replacement at that time, he was otherwise fit and well and always available to his parishioners.
Bishop Jones said at the requiem Mass: “The Lord exercises his high priestly ministry through ordained priests. Msgr Power committed himself to the priestly ministry and remained faithful to it all down the years.”

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Fate of cathedral won’t be known for months

Michael Otto — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 03:13:09 +0000

CHRISTCHURCH — The fate of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and several other Catholic churches in Canterbury will not be known for several months.
With insurance negotiations still ongoing, the diocese is in the early stages of preparing a strategic plan on the number and location of churches to be built. This will be presented to Bishop Barry Jones for consideration.
Lance Ryan, the chairman of the Cathedral Management Board, said the board fully supports the plan, as it was essential that all churches in the diocese are considered, and not just the cathedral.
“The planning group needs to consult with a wide range of people throughout the diocese while also looking at the changes that have occurred to the city’s population demographics.
“All these factors, as well as establishing the status of all insurance claims, need to be known before a comprehensive report can be completed,” he said.
While this plan is being considered, work on the basilica continues.
“We are really looking at three options — whether to demolish the existing building, to retain what we can of the basilica and rebuild to its former glory, or, in the short-term, whether or not to mothball the building until we have a clearer picture.
“Early indications are that the costs of retaining and rebuilding the basilica are in the vicinity of $100 million. The nave is the only part of the existing building that could be retained, but it will still need extensive reinforcing to bring it up to the required standard.”
The board is having costings prepared for the removal of the large organ and the stained glass windows.
Mr Ryan acknowledged it was a frustrating time for all, but they had to ensure they worked wisely.
“The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament is only one piece of the diocesan jigsaw, and until we know all the pieces and the community has been consulted, we are reluctant to move with any haste.
“Getting it right is everyone’s first priority,” he said.

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