- Reginald Delargey
infobox cardinalstyles
cardinal name=Reginald Cardinal Delargey
dipstyle=His Eminence
offstyle=Your Eminence
See=Wellington|Reginald John Cardinal Delargey (
10 December 1914 -29 January 1979 ) was theRoman Catholic Bishop ofAuckland and later the CardinalArchbishop ofWellington and Metropolitan ofNew Zealand . His title wasCardinal-Priest of "Immacolata al Tiburtino ".Early life
Reginald Delargey was born in
Timaru , one of six children. The family moved several times during Delargey's early years, and Delargey was sent toAuckland to receive his secondary education as aboarder at Sacred Heart College. His mother died in 1929, three years before Delargey commenced his studies for the Priesthood at Holy Cross College in Mosgiel. During his studies he was recognised as having considerable academic potential and, as a result, was sent toRome to complete his studies at thePontifical Urbaniana University .Priesthood
Delargey was ordained as a
priest for the Diocese of Auckland in Rome on19 March 1938 . After returning to New Zealand, he worked in the parish of Takapuna and at St Patrick's Cathedral in Auckland. From 1940 to 1947 he was Director of Catholic Social Services for the Diocese of Auckland. He also served as director of the Catholic Youth Movement and was the chaplain at St Peter's College into the 1950s.Bishop of Auckland
Delagrey was appointed as
Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Auckland on25 November 1957 . During his time as Auxiliary Bishop he attended all four sessions of theSecond Vatican Council (Vatican II). Twelve years after his appointment as Auxiliary, Delargey was appointed as Bishop of Auckland on18 September 1970 following the retirement of ArchbishopJames Michael Liston . As bishop, he adopted a humble and open style of leadership, putting into practice the ideas and principles of Vatican II. After four years as Bishop of Auckland, and after the death ofPeter Cardinal McKeefrey he was translated to the Metropolitan See in Wellington and became Archbishop on25 April 1974 .Archbishop of Wellington
Although not from Wellington, Delargey built a strong relationshiop with the people and clergy of the Archdiocese as a result of his openness, humility and sincerity. As Archbishop he continued to promote the work of the Catholic Youth Movement - as he had previously done in Auckland - and was particularly conscious of the needs of minority groups both in the Archdiocese and throughout New Zealand. Delargey was created Cardinal priest on
May 24 1976 by PopePaul VI and received the title of Inmmacolata al Tiburtino. From 1976 to 1979 he was head of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference and played a key role in the negotiations with the government and teachers' unions that culminated in the integration of Catholic schools into the State funded system in New Zealand. Despite failing health, he participated in theconclaves of August and October 1978. He died in Auckland in 1979 and was buried from Wellington's Sacred Heart Cathedral.External links
* [http://catholic.org.nz Catholic Church in New Zealand]
* [http://wn.catholic.org.nz Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington]]
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