Palmerston North
31 March 2012
Pope Benedict XVI has accepted Bishop Peter Cullinane’s resignation as Bishop of Palmerston North.
In the same February 22 announcement the Vatican Secretariat of State noted that Bishop Charles Drennan would succeed Bishop Peter as only the second Ordinary in the 32-year history of the diocese.
Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, on March 17 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 celebrated.
Later, there will be the opportunity to farewell Bishop Peter by joining him in the celebration of Mass in the pastoral areas of the diocese.