Archbishop Liston initially brought Bishop Pompallier out
of complete obscurity by having the Bishop's tomb at Puteaux [Paris/France]
repaired. After his 'ad limina' visit to Rome in 1954 the Archbishop visited
the burial site and was pleased to report on his return home to the diocese
that the repairs had been done well. Since the 1970s, past and present
members of the Tai Tokerau Regional Pastoral Council have expressed a
genuine desire to recognise the bishop's importance and significance and
have his remains returned to Aotearoa New Zealand. The following is a
short chronology of recent events:
| 1998
|
Delegation to Oceania Synod
in Rome stop-off at Puteaux [France] to visit the grave of Bishop
Pompallier with some French Pacific clergy and meet local clergy. |
| 1999 |
Tai Tokerau Regional Pastoral
Council put forward kaupapa of possible return at a combined meeting
of Auckland / Hamilton Diocesan Pastoral Council at Motuti Marae. |
| 1999 - 2000 |
Kaupapa to Bishop Pat, Diocesan
Pastoral Council, Council of Priests, deaneries and parishes - Pompallier's
remains exhumed in France - sites discussed included Totara Point,
Purakau, Motuti, Russell and St Patrick's Cathedral. |
| |
Totara Point [first Mass]
was a hopeful possibility but sadly did not eventuate.
Purakau [first parish/first missionary journeys] was offered but
did not happen. |
| 6 Jan 2001 |
Meeting at Kaikohe. Motukaraka,
Motuti, Te Karae, Waitaruke offered as possible final resting places
for Pompallier. |
| |
Bishop's Council of Priests
and Diocesan Pastoral Council consulted. |
| 17 Mar 2001 |
Panguru, Ngati Manawa Marae/St
Patricks Day - [Patronal Feast of the Diocese]. Bishop's Letter read
and Motuti chosen as the final resting place. |
| 16 April 2001 |
Motuti - newly formed
Pompallier Hokianga Trust meeting portfolios determined/ distributed
- minimum/maximum staging of events plus budget/fiscal realities.
Awaiting Bishop Pat's announcement to the Diocese following the
Bishops' Conference. |
| 11 May 2001 |
Trust meeting /Tai Tokerau
Regional Pastoral Council at Waitaruke. |
| 3 June 2001 |
Trust representatives and
Bishop Pat meeting in Dargaville - consultation. |
|
4 June 2001 |
Trust meeting at Motuti
- confirmation/updates/planning progress. |
| 19 June 2001 |
Council of Priests - Bishop
Pat confirms letter to priests and diocese. |
| 1 July 2001 |
Letter read at Sunday Masses
throughout the diocese. |
| 3 August 2001 |
Trust meeting at Oromahoe
Marae. Other dioceses confirm support. |
| 30 Sept 2001 |
Trust Meeting at Motuti Marae
- request to change of date - 25 April intended arrival to Motuti
via Totara Point - 27 April 2002 proposed Mass and interment. |
| 21 Dec 2001 |
130th Anniversary of the
death of Bishop Pompallier 1871. |
| 24 Dec 2001 |
[Christmas Eve] Pompallier
left Le Havre France this day in 1836. |
| 30 Dec 2001 |
Delegation leaves for Rome,
Lyons and Paris to uplift Pompallier's remains. |
| 24 January 2002 |
Pompallier's remains arrive in New Zealand
and beginning in Dunedin, tour of each Diocese. |
| 20 April 2002 |
Celebration Mass at followed by interment
in the church at Motuti. |
