Bishop Patrick Dunn of Auckland celebrated the twentieth anniversary of his ordination as bishop on July 25, the feast of the apostle James.
On July 25, 1994, he was ordained as auxiliary to assist Bishop Denis Browne in Auckland.
At a Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral last Friday, Bishop Dunn dwelt on two things he found inspirational.
The first were the words of St Augustine of Hippo about being a bishop.
“What I am for you as a bishop, terrifies me. What I am with you, as a Christian, consoles me,” Bishop Dunn said, recalling the saint’s famous saying.
Bishop Dunn said that during the past 20 years he had been inspired by the faith of the priests, deacons and people of Auckland diocese.
Later that day about 100 diocesan staff gathered at Pompallier Diocesan Centre and presented the bishop with his portrait, which they had commissioned from the Studio of John the Baptist.
In 1995, when Bishop Denis Browne was appointed Bishop of Hamilton, Bishop Dunn was installed as the eleventh Bishop of Auckland.
Sources: Lyndsay Freer and Michael Otto