Brian Ashby: Difference between revisions

Brian Ashby 5th Bishop of Christchurch 1964–1985
Personal details
Born	(1923-11-10)10 November 1923 Belfast New Zealand
Died	(1988-06-05)5 June 1988 Christchurch New Zealand

Brian Patrick Ashby (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.

Early life

Ashby was born in Belfast, 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 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.

Priesthood

Ashby returned to Christchurch and was appointed as assistant priest in the new parish of North Timaru. 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 July 11 1964, Ashby was appointed as the Fifth Bishop of Christchurch, succeeding Bishop Joyce.

Episcopacy

Ashby was consecrated Bishop at the age of 41 on 5 August 1964 in Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Christchurch by Archbishop McKeefry of Wellington and the co-consecrators Archbishop Liston of Auckland and Bishop Sneddon (Auxiliary Bishop of Wellington). Ashby attended the last sessions of the Second Vatican Council an experience which placed him in anoptimum position to help steer the New Zealand curch 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.

Wider interests

After his consecration, as one of the youngest bishops to take office, Ashby became a significant leader in Church and community affairs. One of the hallmarks of his work in the diocese was the stand he often took on a number of sensitive social issues. Both he and his contemporary and friend, Bishop Pyatt, the Anglican Bishop of Christchurch, were outspoken critics of the 1981 Springbok Rugby Tour. Ashby was also head of 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 supported the concept of Church unity. 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 Commision. Ashby's services to the community were recognised when he was awarded the CBE in 1985.

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 Hospitice, Christchurch. Ashby is buried in Christchurch at Bromley Cemetery.

See also

• Catholic Hierarchy website, Bishop Brian Patrick Ashby" (retrieved 25 January 2011).