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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

The Roman Catholic Diocese

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Auckland comprises the provincial district of Auckland, the surrounding islands, and the Kermadec Group, and took its rise from
Bishop Pompaillier

Bishop Pompaillier

the mission founded by Bishop Pompallier, who, as Vicar-Apostolic of Western Oceania, arrived at Hokianga on the 8th of January, 1838. He subsequently fixed his headquarters at Russell, in the Bay of Islands, but removed them to Auckland in 1847. In 1848 the diocese of Auckland was formed, with Dr. Pompallier as its first Bishop. During his episcopate, old St. Patrick's Cathedral was built, and now forms the transepts of the new building, which was erected during the late Bishop Luck's term of office. Bishop Pompallier resigned the charge of the diocese in 1869, and died in France on the 20th of December, 1870. He was succeeded by Bishop Croke, who was consecrated Bishop of Auckland on the 23rd of June, 1870, and is now Archbishop of Cashel, Ireland, to which he was translated on the 23rd of June, 1875. Bishop Croke was succeeded by Archbishop Steins, S.J., who was translated in April. 1879, from Bombay, but only occupied the see for a short time, as he died at Sydney on the 7th of September, 1881, and was succeeded by Bishop Luck, who was consecrated on the 13th of August, 1882, by Cardinal Manning, in London. Dr. Luck was instrumental in introducing the Little Sisters of the Poor. the Sisters of St. Joseph, and Les Soeurs de Notre Dame des Missions, and the Marist Brothers. He also erected the nave of St. Patrick's Cathedral, and built the handsome episcopal residence at Ponsonby, with its lovely view of the Auckland harbour. In this effort Bishop Luck was assisted by members of the Catholic Church throughout the world, and also by many non-Catholics residing in the diocese of Auckland. During his episcopate several new churches were erected throughout the diocese, the chief being St. Benedict's, and the Church of the Assumption. Onehunga. Dr. Luck was a member of the Benedictine Order, and received most of his religious education at St. Augustine's Benedictine College and Monastery, Ramsgate, England, where he was in residence when he was appointed Bishop of Auckland. He died at Bishop's House, from heart disease. on the 23rd of January, 1896, deeply regretted by all classes of the community. Dr. Luck was succeeded by the present Bishop, the Right Rev. George Michael Lenihan, D.D., who was consecrated on the 15th of November, 1896. The total Catholic population of the diocese at the census of 1896 was 23,525, and the Children receiving Catholic education number 2506. There are twenty-four primary schools. twelve superior day schools, and five girls' boarding schools in the diocese. The diocese also has an orphanage and industrial school for girls, and a corresponding institution for boys, and there is a home for the aged and destitute poor. There are twenty-three districts in the diocese; twenty-four churches. exclusive of meeting places connected with the Maori missions; three regular priests. thirty-two secular priests, ten religious brothers, and 124 nuns. The vicar-general is the Very Rev. Monsignor James Paul; the chancellor. the Right Rev. Monsignor O'Reilly; and the diocesan inspector of school's, Mr. Ponsonby Peacocke. The diocesan council consists of the Very Rev. Monsignor Paul, V.G.; Right Rev. Monsignor O'Reilly; Very Rev. D. O. Egan, D.D.; Very Rev. James Hackett; and the Very Rev. A. Lightheart.