The Pope
FOURTEEN times a great fanfare of trumpets rang through St. Peter's Basilica on Sunday morning as, at the most solemn moment in the rite of consecration, Pope John XXIII anointed the heads and hands of 14 new Apostles, Missionary Bishops who will "proclaim the Gos pel to the world".
Before at least 10,000 people among them more than 100 from England, the Pope in a Five-hour ceremony, personally consecrated each Bishop and Archbishop, giving to each his pectoral cross, episcopal ring, crozier, and a personal copy of the gospels.
A 'double'
And there, proud of their two new Missionary Bishops from England were Holy Ghost Fathers and Mill Hill Fathers from this country, friends and relatives of Mgr. James Hagan, C.S.Sp., of Leadgate, Co. Durham, who is now first Bishop of Oturkpo in Nigeria, and Mgr. Anthony Galvin of Mill Hill, horn in Ormesby. Yorkshire. and now Vicar Apostolic of Mire in Sarawak. The Holy Ghost Fathers were proud of their "double" for Mgr. Kilasara. C.S.Sp., was also to be consecrated for Tanganyika.
Many Africans were in St. Peter's, their colourful dress adding to the glitter and glory of the occasion. Six of their number were to receive the fullness of the priesthood along with one American, one Australian, one Irishman, a Japanese, and two from Madagascar.
Largest
This is believed to be the largest consecration ceremony ever carried out by the Pope personally. In 1906, 12 French Bishops were consecrated, in 1926, six Chinese, and in 1939 the number was again 12.
In unison, the new Bishops from five continents had made their profession of Faith before the Holy Father. In unison the great crowd joined the Papal Dialogue Mass, a great surge of sound arising particularly at the Gloria, and for the Litany of the Saints while the 14 lay prostrate before the successor of St. Peter.
Accipe Spiritum Sanctum . . Receive the Holy Spirit, prayed the Holy Father, followed by the co-consecrators, Bishop Fulton Sheen of New York and Bishop La Brie of Quebec. Forty-two times the supplication was repeated.
EXAMPLE TO STATESMEN
"MAY the consecrated hands of the shepherds and new apostles be lifted up, along with Ours, in an act of petition in union with the Universal Church, to give example to the powerful statesmen of the world who are engaged in the exercise of tremendous responsibilities aiming at the declaration of mutual respect regarding the liberty of individuals, families and nations.", said Pope John in his address.
After reminding that the new Bishops were 14 in number " just as 14 are the works of mercy ". the Pope recalled the parts of the world " from which you have gathered to the See of Peter and to which you will return as bearers of grace and blessing.
"From Africa: The Ivory Coast, Ghana, Madagascar, Tanganyika, Upper Volta, Nigeria, Belgian Congo. From Asia: Pakistan, Japan, Borneo. From Oceania: Australia, Solomon Islands."
In what has been taken as a clear reference to next week's Summit Conference, Pope John spoke of millions of people who are watching withanxiety to see Continued on page 8, col. 6