Anglican Communion News Service - Digest News

The Diocese of Nelson is celebrating its new Bishop, Richard Ellena - ordained in Nelson’s Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday before a crowd of hundreds of clergy, civic dignitaries and well-wishers.

But just 24 hours before that there was real doubt that someone considered rather pivotal to the proceedings - the Bishop-elect himself - would show up.

Not because he had cold feet, but because he couldn’t get to his feet.

Archdeacon Richard Ellena was, in fact, flat on his back in Christchurch Hospital, battling a serious case of blood poisoning.

The trouble started when Richard and his wife Hilary were lugging furniture into their new Nelson home. He’d scraped his knee doing so - but, like a good Kiwi bloke, he thought nothing more of it.

Richard then headed south for his ordination retreat, which was to be conducted by the Bishop of Christchurch, Dr David Coles.

Except on his retreat Richard began to feel unwell. Quite unwell. So unwell, in fact, that last Tuesday he had to be admitted to Christchurch Hospital suffering from a rocketing temperature, and raging infection.

He was still in the Christchurch hospital on the Friday, the eve of his ordination, while the other bishops, who were meeting in Nelson prior to the ordination, considered what to do.They had no doubt about their ultimate benchmark: the wellbeing of their brother bishop-to-be.

With this in mind they seriously contemplated postponing the ordination (for which many were already arriving by air); ordaining Richard at his hospital bedside; or truncating the ordination service from the normal two hours to around 20 minutes.

In the end, Richard flew from Christchurch to Nelson on the Friday afternoon - and was met by doctors and his wife Hilary, in whose hands the decision about his fitness to proceed was laid.

Except on his retreat Richard began to feel unwell. Quite unwell. So unwell, in fact, that last Tuesday he had to be admitted to Christchurch Hospital suffering from a rocketing temperature, and raging infection.

He was still in the Christchurch hospital on the Friday, the eve of his ordination, while the other bishops, who were meeting in Nelson prior to the ordination, considered what to do.

They had no doubt about their ultimate benchmark: the wellbeing of their brother bishop-to-be. With this in mind they seriously contemplated postponing the ordination (for which many were already arriving by air); ordaining Richard at his hospital bedside; or truncating the ordination service from the normal two hours to around 20 minutes.

In the end, Richard flew from Christchurch to Nelson on the Friday afternoon - and was met by doctors and his wife Hilary, in whose hands the decision about his fitness to proceed was laid.

Their verdict? That he was sufficiently recovered to press ahead - provided he stayed in a wheelchair and kept his infected leg elevated at all times.

And so the service proceeded - and regardless of its touch’n go basis, it was a particularly cheerful and joyful celebration.

The Rev Mike Hawke, Vicar of St Christopher’s Avonhead, and Archdeacon of Selwyn-Tawera in the Diocese of Christchurch, preached the sermon on the theme: ‘This is the day the Lord has made.’

There were contributions from each of the three Tikanga of this church - Maori, Polynesian and Pakeha.

The three Archbishops of the Province, The Most Revs Brown Turei, David Moxon and Jabez Bryce, concelebrated the eucharist - and the music, classical, choral and contemporary, was particularly impressive. That’s hardly surprising, as Bishop Richard is a highly accomplished composer, musical producer and multi-instrumentalist.

In fact, the recessional hymn was his own composition: ‘May the light of Jesus shine through all the world’ - which, for the final chorus, also featured the interwoven New Zealand anthem, ‘God Defend New Zealand.’

Archbishop David Moxon reminded those gathered of the rich precedents for Richard’s seated ordination. On the Day of Pentecost, he said, the apostles (the predecessors of the bishops) had gathered in the upper room - and were seated when the Holy Spirit came upon them.

Archbishop Moxon also reminded folk that history shows that those called to decisive ministries had often weathered physical or spiritual affliction before they were released into their calling: Jacob’s night-long wrestling with the angel being a case in point.

And Bishop Richard Ellena, the new and 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Nelson?

His consecration service over, the now elated and duly consecrated bishop headed to Nelson Hospital - where he’s expected to make a complete recovery from his affliction within a few days.

Article from: The Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia