22 Facts About Brian Ashby

Brian Patrick Ashby was the fifth Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, New Zealand.

Brian Ashby was appointed by Pope Paul VI on 11 July 1964, resigned the see on 4 July 1985, and died on 5 June 1988.

Brian Ashby was the leading New Zealand Catholic bishop in attempting to implement the decrees of the Vatican Council II and he was the leading bishop on social justice issues.

Brian Ashby received his primary education at St Joseph's Convent, Papanui, and his secondary education at St Bede's College.

In 1941, Brian Ashby studied law at the University of Canterbury while working in a law office.

Brian Ashby returned to Christchurch and was appointed as assistant priest in the new parish of North Timaru.

In 1960 Brian Ashby was sent to London to study the techniques of the Catholic Enquiry Centre there.

Brian Ashby became the co-director of the New Zealand Catholic Enquiry Centre when it opened in Wellington in 1961.

On 11 July 1964, Brian Ashby was appointed as the Fifth Bishop of Christchurch, succeeding Bishop Joyce.

Brian Ashby was consecrated Bishop at the age of 41 on 5 August 1964 in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Christchurch by Archbishop McKeefry of Wellington and the co-consecrators Archbishop Liston of Auckland and Bishop Snedden.

Brian Ashby attended the last sessions of the Second Vatican Council, an experience which placed him in an optimum position to help steer the New Zealand church through the difficult transition times following the Council.

Brian Ashby tried to renew diocesan structures and he placed great emphasis on making himself accessible to his people.

Brian Ashby became the leading Catholic figure in the area of ecumenism.

In 1983, Brian Ashby was the first New Zealand bishop to be appointed a member of the second Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission, and was chairman of the New Zealand Catholic Ecumenical Commission.

Brian Ashby was the first Catholic bishop to preach in an Anglican cathedral in New Zealand and maintained an enduring personal friendship with the Anglican Bishop of Christchurch Bishop Pyatt.

Brian Ashby was the first New Zealand bishop to implement church sanctuary alterations in the wake of the second Vatican Council.

The alterations introduced into the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament were controversial but Brian Ashby insisted that they followed the Council decrees.

Brian Ashby had the role of visionary in the Catholic hierarchy and he became a significant leader in Church and community affairs.

The effect of Brian Ashby's leadership was visible in 1981, when scarcely a priest in his diocese supported the tour.

Brian Ashby headed the New Zealand Catholic Commission for Evangelisation, Justice and Development which gave money to HART in 1981 and later to the Waitangi Action Committee.

Brian Ashby said that he was a peaceful man but that he "owed it to my integrity to take the stands that I have taken".

Brian Ashby resigned the see on 4 July 1985 because of a stroke, after serving 21 years as Bishop of Christchurch.