Bishop Drennan succeeds Bishop Cullinane as Ordinary of the Diocese of Palmerston North

The Vatican Secretariat of State has today announced that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Bishop Peter James Cullinane, as Bishop of Palmerston North. Simultaneously the Secretariat of State noted that Bishop Charles Edward Drennan will succeed Bishop Peter. Bishop Charles thus becomes the second Ordinary in the history of the Diocese.
Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Broadway Avenue, on 17 March 2012 at 10.30 to mark the liturgical installation of Bishop Charles. Gathering with the people of the Diocese will be their clergy, the Bishops of New Zealand and the Apostolic Nuncio. After Mass there will be a luncheon at which Bishop Peter’s many years of leadership in the Diocese will be acknowledged and celebrated.

At later dates, soon to be fixed, there will be the opportunity to farewell Bishop Peter by joining him in the celebration of Mass in the pastoral areas of the Diocese.