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"City's new Bishop takes mitre"

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Description: These images were taken by the Evening Standard on the 23rd of April 1980, the first of which was published on the 26th. It depicts a moment from the ordination of Father Peter Cullinane as a Catholic Bishop.

The caption read: “BISHOP Peter Cullinane, who will lead nearly 69,000 Catholics in the new Palmerston North diocese, accepts one of the traditional gifts-a pastoral staff or crozier. The crozier was presented by the Maori Central Council, along with a korowai (Maori cloak). Other gifts included a ring and the Book of Gospels.”

The article “City's new Bishop takes mitre” was published on the 23rd:

“FATHER Peter Cullinane was ordained Catholic Bishop of Palmerston North in St Patrick's Church today, just over 40 years after his late parents were married at the same altar.

Today more than 200 of his family were present among the congregation of 1500 who saw the 43-year-old Bishop take office.

His new diocese, based on Palmerston North, will encompass 41 parishes in the Manawatu, Taranaki and Hawke's Bay areas, formally of 95 parishes centred on Wellington.

The Dannevirke-born Bishop, who was ordained as a priest in 1961, was installed by the Metropolitan of New Zealand, Archbishop Thomas Williams, assisted by other bishops from around New Zealand.

The mandate of appointment from Pope John Paul II was read by his representative to New Zealand, Monsignor Christophe Pierre, Charge d' Affaires at the Apostolic Nunciature in Wellington.

After an initial questioning regarding the Bishop-elect's appreciation and acceptance of the appointment, and during the chanting of the Litany of the Saints, Bishop Cullinane lay prostrate on the floor, his head facing the altar.

Afterwards Archbishop Williams laid his hands on the head of the new Bishop followed by other Bishops. This is the traditional sign of the transfer of spiritual power.

After being anointed by the Archbishop, Bishop Cullinane was presented with the traditional symbols of office - the book of the Gospels, a ring (to symbolise his marriage to Christ in the community and the church), a mitre and pastoral staff or crozier.

Along with the carved crozier was a Korowhai (Maori cloak). Both were gifts from the Central Maori Council.

For the first time a Maori motto was included in a Catholic crest of arms. The Cullinane crest features an open-ended outline of the central North island with a motto which reads Kia Tau Te Rangimarie ki a Koutou – ‘peace be with you’.

During the service nearly two hours Bishop Cullinane distributed communion to the 200 members of his family who attended the service, including his brother Brian and sister Mary. Both from Australia.
Because the 900-seat church was filled, closed-circuit television was transmitted to adjacent St Patrick's Hall, where hundreds more were able to see and hear the ceremony.

Most churches were represented at the ceremony, along with Government and civic leaders, and apologies were received from many others.

Before the service local Maori people welcomed visiting Maoris and later this afternoon the Bishop was to be welcomed by the Maori people back to his ‘marae’ the Pastoral Centre n Ihaka Street.

Tonight he plans to be with the members of his family.”