Consecration Of

Bishop

Impressive Ceremony in Vila

Prom Our Own Correspondent

Vila, Dec. 14.

rE ceremony of consecrating Monseig neur Jules Halbert to the office of Bishop of Archelais, France, and Vicaire Apostolique of the New Hebrides, took place at the Vila Roman Catholic Church on Sunday morning, December 10. The Consecrating Bishop was Monseigneur Brasson, Bishop of New Caledonia.

By a special order of the Pope, Rev.

Father Juliard and Rev. Father Bathe acted as assistants to the newly-elected bishop, in place of the two assisting bishops demanded by the R.C. Liturgy.

This order was made on account of the isolated position of the New Hebrides.

After the usual formalities, the new bishop was robed by his assisting priests in the vestment of his new office. Then came the impressive ceremony of anointing, performed by the consecrating bishop, wearing his mitre and full epis copal robes.

In accordance with ancient church cus tom the newly anointed bishop, with his assistants, placed an offering of two candles, two tiny barrels of wine and two loaves of bread on the High Altar.

After the Benediction, the new bishop was presented with mitre, gloves and bishop’s staff, and led by the hand by the officiating bishop to his seat at his own faldstool, within the chancel. The chanting of the Te Deum and a reading from the Gospel of St. John brought the lengthy ceremony to a close.

The British and French Resident Com missioners, and most of the residents of Vila, of both nationalities, attended the ceremony. In an address, after the cere bony, Bishop Halbert stated that it was the aim of the church to work for the closer union of England and France, and to use its influence in every way to promote- world peace.

In the afternoon Bishop Halbert con ducted a service at the Mele Church.

The celebration ended with a fireworks display in the Vila church grounds in the evening.