Bishop Viard College History SD 480p

Описание: Phillipe Joseph Viard 1809-1872

Bishop Viard College is named after Bishop Phillip Viard. Philippe Viard was born in Lyons, France, on 11 October 1809. Viard arrived in NZ on the 8th of December 1839, where he was left in charge of the Catholics of New Zealand. Between 1846 and 1850 he made frequent pastoral visits to established Catholic missions in the North Island, using Kororareka as his base. He visited Auckland many times, consecrating St Patrick's Church on 19 March 1848, and establishing churches for the military and their families at Howick, Panmure, Otahuhu and Onehunga at Governor George Grey's request. Grey also authorised funds for a college of St Mary at Takapuna, which opened in October 1849.

On 15 February 1849 Viard received news from Rome that two dioceses had been created in New Zealand. Pompallier was to retain control of the northern diocese, which was centred on Auckland. Viard was to be vicar apostolic or administrator apostolic of the southern diocese, which had its headquarters at Wellington. This was Rome's attempt to solve the Pompallier–Marist quarrels, by sending the Marists south of Taupo with Viard as their leader. In spite of the separation Viard and Pompallier were to remain on terms of friendship for the rest of their lives.

In 1860 Viard was appointed first bishop of Wellington. In 1869 and 1870 he attended the First Vatican Council in Rome, presided over by Pope Pius IX. The affection Wellington people had for Viard was evidenced by the crowd which welcomed him back to New Zealand on 19 March 1871. His health was visibly weaker and by 1872 it was evident death was near. He died on 2 June and was buried in the Catholic cathedral in Wellington.