Brian Ashby
Encyclopedia
Brian Patrick Ashby, CBE
(1923–1988) was the fifth Catholic Bishop of Christchurch
, New Zealand
. He was appointed by Pope Paul VI
on 11 July 1964, resigned the see
on 4 July 1985, and died on 5 June 1988. He was the leading New Zealand Catholic bishop in attempting to implement the decrees of the Vatican Council II and he was the leading bishop on social justice
issues.
, a suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand in 1923. He received his primary education at St Joseph's Convent, Papanui
and his secondary education at St Bede's College
(to which he won a scholarship). In 1941 Ashby studied law at the University of Canterbury
while working in a law office. Over the next two years, he served with the Fifth Canterbury Regiment. When the under-20s were released for further study in 1943, he began his study for the priesthood at Holy Cross College, Mosgiel
. In 1946 he was selected by Bishop Lyons for Theology studes in Rome where he was ordained on 1 January 1950. In 1951, he completed his doctorate in Theology.
. In 1957 he became secretary to Bishop Joyce
the 4th Bishop of Christchurch
. In 1960 Ashby was sent to London to study the techniques of the Catholic Enquiry Centre there. Ashby became the co-director the New Zealand Catholic Enquiry Centre when it opened in Wellington
in 1961. On 11 July 1964, Ashby was appointed as the Fifth Bishop of Christchurch, succeeding Bishop Joyce.
by Archbishop McKeefry of Wellington
and the co-consecrators Archbishop Liston of Auckland
and Bishop Snedden
(Auxiliary Bishop of Wellington). Ashby attended the last sessions of the Second Vatican Council an experience which placed him in an optimum position to help steer the New Zealand church through the difficult transition times following the Council. He tried to renew diocesan structures and he placed great emphasis on making himself accessible to his people. Ashby became the leading Catholic figure in the area of ecumenism
.
His work in this area was recognised in 1983 when Pope John Paul II
appointed him to the Vatican Secretariat for the Promotion of Christian Unity
. In 1983, Ashby was also the first New Zealand bishop too be appointed a member of the second Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission. He was chairman of the New Zealand Catholic Ecumenical Commission. He was the first Catholic bishop to preach in an Anglican cathedral in New Zealand. He maintained an enduring personal friendship with the Anglican Bishop of Christchurch Bishop Pyatt
.
Ashby was the first New Zealand bishop to implement church sanctuary alterations in the wake of the second Vatican Council. The alterations introduced into the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacramant were controversial but Ashby insisted that they followed the Council decrees.
relations, overseas aid and sporting contacts with South Africa
(which he visited, to see for himself the consequences of Apartheid) Both he and his friend, Bishop Pyatt
were outspoken critics of the 1981 Springbok Rugby Tour
. The effect of Ashby's leadership was visible in 1981, when scarcely a priest in his diocese supported the tour.
Ashby also headed the New Zealand Catholic Commission for Evangelisation, Justice and Development which gave money to HART
(Halt All Racist Tours) in 1981 and later to the Waitangi Action Committee. Both donations brought criticism and debate within the Church. Ashby's services to the community were recognised when he was awarded the CBE
in 1985. Ashby said that he was a peaceful man but that he "owed it to my integrity to take the stands that I have taken".
His Requiem Mass was concelebrated before a congregation of 2,000 by bishops from all the New Zealand dioceses (the celebrants included his successor, Bishop Hanrahan
, and Bishop John Gerry (Auxiliary Bishop of Brisbane
). Ashby is interred in Christchurch's Bromley Cemetery
.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(1923–1988) was the fifth Catholic Bishop of Christchurch
Roman Catholic Diocese of Christchurch
The Latin Rite Roman Catholic Diocese of Christchurch is a suffragan diocese of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington. Its cathedral and see city are located in Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. He was appointed by Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
on 11 July 1964, resigned the see
Episcopal See
An episcopal see is, in the original sense, the official seat of a bishop. This seat, which is also referred to as the bishop's cathedra, is placed in the bishop's principal church, which is therefore called the bishop's cathedral...
on 4 July 1985, and died on 5 June 1988. He was the leading New Zealand Catholic bishop in attempting to implement the decrees of the Vatican Council II and he was the leading bishop on social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
issues.
Early life
Ashby was born in BelfastBelfast, New Zealand
Belfast is a suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand. It is in the north of the city, close to the banks of the Waimakariri River.-History:Belfast is named after Belfast in Northern Ireland. It was originally known as North Road District, Seven Mile Peg, Styx, or by its Māori name Purarekanui...
, a suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand in 1923. He received his primary education at St Joseph's Convent, Papanui
Papanui
Papanui is a major suburb of Christchurch New Zealand. It is sited five kilometers to the northwest of the city centre. Papanui is a middle socio-economic area with a population of 3,543 consisting predominantly of Pākehā 92.3%, Māori 5.7%, Pacific peoples 2.5%, Asian 5.0%, Middle Eastern/Latin...
and his secondary education at St Bede's College
St Bede's College, Christchurch
St. Bede's College is a Roman Catholic day and boarding school in Christchurch, New Zealand for boys aged 13 to 18 . St. Bede's is the oldest Roman Catholic Boys' College in New Zealand's South Island. It is also the only Catholic day and boarding college for boys in New Zealand's South Island....
(to which he won a scholarship). In 1941 Ashby studied law at the University of Canterbury
University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury , New Zealand's second-oldest university, operates its main campus in the suburb of Ilam in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand...
while working in a law office. Over the next two years, he served with the Fifth Canterbury Regiment. When the under-20s were released for further study in 1943, he began his study for the priesthood at Holy Cross College, Mosgiel
Holy Cross College (New Zealand)
Holy Cross College or Holy Cross Seminary is the national Roman Catholic seminary of New Zealand for the training of priests. It was first opened in 1900 in Mosgiel and was relocated to Auckland in 1997.-Establishment:...
. In 1946 he was selected by Bishop Lyons for Theology studes in Rome where he was ordained on 1 January 1950. In 1951, he completed his doctorate in Theology.
Priesthood
Ashby returned to Christchurch and was appointed as assistant priest in the new parish of North TimaruTimaru
TimaruUrban AreaPopulation:27,200Extent:Former Timaru City CouncilTerritorial AuthorityName:Timaru District CouncilPopulation:42,867 Land area:2,736.54 km² Mayor:Janie AnnearWebsite:...
. In 1957 he became secretary to Bishop Joyce
Edward Joyce
Edward Michael Joyce was the fourth Roman Catholic bishop of Christchurch, New Zealand. He was appointed by Pope Pius XII on 18 April 1950 and died in office on 28 January 1964. He was the first priest of the Christchurch diocese to be made a bishop.-Early life:Joyce was born in Lyttelton, New...
the 4th Bishop of Christchurch
Roman Catholic Diocese of Christchurch
The Latin Rite Roman Catholic Diocese of Christchurch is a suffragan diocese of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington. Its cathedral and see city are located in Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand...
. In 1960 Ashby was sent to London to study the techniques of the Catholic Enquiry Centre there. Ashby became the co-director the New Zealand Catholic Enquiry Centre when it opened in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
in 1961. On 11 July 1964, Ashby was appointed as the Fifth Bishop of Christchurch, succeeding Bishop Joyce.
Episcopacy
Ashby was consecrated Bishop at the age of 41 (one of the youngest bishops to take office) on 5 August 1964 in Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, ChristchurchCathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Christchurch
The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, located in the city centre of Christchurch, New Zealand, commonly known as the Christchurch Basilica, is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Christchurch and seat of the Bishop of Christchurch...
by Archbishop McKeefry of Wellington
Peter McKeefry
Peter Thomas Bertram McKeefry was the Third Archbishop of Wellington and Metropolitan of New Zealand and its first Cardinal.-Early life and education:...
and the co-consecrators Archbishop Liston of Auckland
James Michael Liston
James Michael Liston, CMG was the Seventh Catholic Bishop of Auckland.-Early life:James Michael Liston was born in Dunedin on 9 June 1881, one of a family of five children of James Liston, a hotel-keeper, and his wife, Mary . His parents were both born in Ireland. He was educated at Kavanagh...
and Bishop Snedden
Owen Snedden
Owen Noel Snedden was the Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Wellington, New Zealand . He was the first Auckland-born priest to be ordained a bishop.-Early life:...
(Auxiliary Bishop of Wellington). Ashby attended the last sessions of the Second Vatican Council an experience which placed him in an optimum position to help steer the New Zealand church through the difficult transition times following the Council. He tried to renew diocesan structures and he placed great emphasis on making himself accessible to his people. Ashby became the leading Catholic figure in the area of ecumenism
Ecumenism
Ecumenism or oecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice...
.
His work in this area was recognised in 1983 when Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
appointed him to the Vatican Secretariat for the Promotion of Christian Unity
Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity origins are associated with the Second Vatican Council which met intermittently from 1962–1965.Pope John XXIII wanted the Catholic Church to engage in the contemporary ecumenical movement...
. In 1983, Ashby was also the first New Zealand bishop too be appointed a member of the second Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission. He was chairman of the New Zealand Catholic Ecumenical Commission. He was the first Catholic bishop to preach in an Anglican cathedral in New Zealand. He maintained an enduring personal friendship with the Anglican Bishop of Christchurch Bishop Pyatt
William Allan Pyatt
The Rt Rev William Allan Pyatt CBE was Bishop of Christchurch in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia from 1966 to 1983....
.
Ashby was the first New Zealand bishop to implement church sanctuary alterations in the wake of the second Vatican Council. The alterations introduced into the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacramant were controversial but Ashby insisted that they followed the Council decrees.
Social justice concerns
Ashby had the role of visionary in the Catholic hierarchy and he became a significant leader in Church and community affairs. His youth, energy and charisma enabled him to take the lead on social justice issues, particularly those involving Māori-PakehaPakeha
Pākehā is a Māori language word for New Zealanders who are "of European descent". They are mostly descended from British and to a lesser extent Irish settlers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, although some Pākehā have Dutch, Scandinavian, German, Yugoslav or other ancestry...
relations, overseas aid and sporting contacts with South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
(which he visited, to see for himself the consequences of Apartheid) Both he and his friend, Bishop Pyatt
William Allan Pyatt
The Rt Rev William Allan Pyatt CBE was Bishop of Christchurch in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia from 1966 to 1983....
were outspoken critics of the 1981 Springbok Rugby Tour
1981 Springbok Tour
The 1981 South African rugby union tour of New Zealand was a controversial tour of New Zealand by the South Africa national rugby union team, known as "the Springboks"...
. The effect of Ashby's leadership was visible in 1981, when scarcely a priest in his diocese supported the tour.
Ashby also headed the New Zealand Catholic Commission for Evangelisation, Justice and Development which gave money to HART
Halt All Racist Tours
Halt All Racist Tours was a protest group set up in New Zealand in 1969 to protest against rugby union tours to and from South Africa.-Chronology:...
(Halt All Racist Tours) in 1981 and later to the Waitangi Action Committee. Both donations brought criticism and debate within the Church. Ashby's services to the community were recognised when he was awarded the CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1985. Ashby said that he was a peaceful man but that he "owed it to my integrity to take the stands that I have taken".
Retirement and death
Ashby resigned the see on 4 July 1985 because of a stroke after serving 21 years as Bishop of Christchurch. During his retirement he was president of the New Zealand Counter-Stroke Support Group. In April 1988, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and died on 5 June 1988 in the Mary Potter Hospital, Christchurch.His Requiem Mass was concelebrated before a congregation of 2,000 by bishops from all the New Zealand dioceses (the celebrants included his successor, Bishop Hanrahan
Denis Hanrahan
Denis William Hanrahan was the 6th Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, New Zealand. He was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Christchurch on 25 March 1984 by Pope John Paul II, succeeded to the see of Christchurch on 4 July 1985 on the retirement of his predecessor Bishop Ashby and died in office...
, and Bishop John Gerry (Auxiliary Bishop of Brisbane
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane is a Latin rite metropolitan archdiocese of the Catholic Church in Australia located in Brisbane and covering the South East region of Queensland, Australia....
). Ashby is interred in Christchurch's Bromley Cemetery
Bromley Cemetery, Christchurch
Bromley Cemetery is a cemetery in Christchurch, New Zealand. It occupies approximately 10 hectares to the east of the city centre, on the corner of Keighleys Road and Linwood Avenue...
.
See also
- Catholic Hierarchy website, Bishop Brian Patrick Ashby" (retrieved 25 January 2011).