Go preach the gospel: Monsignors Leonard Danvers, left and Joe Stack, right hold the Book of Gospels over Bishop Richard Laurenson with outgoing bishop Steve Lowe in the background. Photo: Deearn Strawbridge.
Waipā parish priests Joe Stack and Leonard Danvers had crucial roles in the ordination of new Hamilton Diocese Catholic bishop Richard Laurenson on Friday.
The two monsignors – titles bestowed by the Pope on priests who have given exceptional service to the church – held the open Book of the Gospels over Laurenson, 55, midway through the ordination.
This imposition ceremony symbolises the primary duty of a bishop to preach the gospel.
Danvers has been at St Peter’s Church in Cambridge since 2016 while Stack arrived at St Patrick’s, Te Awamutu three years earlier.
Their role in the ordination shows the respect the diocese holds for the two senior priests.
Before the imposition, Danvers had formally asked that Laurenson – previously parish priest at All Saints by the Sea in Papamoa – be ordained a bishop.
The Episcopal ordination was held at the Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hamilton East on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with parishioners from Cambridge and Te Awamutu present.
Bishop Richard Laurenson centre with Waipā parish priests Leonard Danvers and Joe Stack at right sandwiched by Bishop Steve Lowe.
Laurenson’s family and friends attended in the cathedral on the same Marist grounds – now Marian School – where Laurenson attended primary and intermediate school.
Also, present was Archbishop Paul Martin of Wellington and other New Zealand bishops, Pope Francis’ representative in New Zealand Giosuè Bustire and parishioners from the 30 other parishes in the Hamilton diocese which covers 49,700 sq km and takes in nearly 10 per cent of Waikato’s population.
Cathedral pastoral assistant Andrea Savage earlier told the congregation Laurenson – the fourth Hamilton diocese bishop after Edward Gaines, Denis Brown and Steve Lowe and the first born in Hamilton – also attended St John’s College, next to Waikato University.
He was ordained a priest in August 1995 by Browne and served as a priest in Waihi, Taumarunui, Fairfield, Te Rapa and Hamilton north before his move to Papamoa.
“To the people of God of Hamilton, I pray I will be a good bishop for you and with you,” said Laurenson.
A supper was held in the Marian School Hall afterwards, but the new bishop missed out on the food as he was inundated by well-wishers outside the hall wanting to honour him and take selfies.
Betsy Reymer of Te Awamutu, who received the Benemerenti Medal papal honour from the pope six years ago, with the new Hamilton Diocese Catholic bishop Richard Laurenson after his ordination. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
