18.09.2019.
More than a thousand people took part in the consecration of Bishop Waitohiariki Quayle. Waitohiariki thereby became the first Maori woman bishop in the Anglican Church in the Aotearoa diocese, located in New Zealand and Polynesia.
The consecration service took place on 12 September. For everyone present, the day was full of joy as the voices of women and young people rang out in the Bible readings, songs and prayers.
“We are full of joy at the opportunity to mark the consecration of the first Maori woman as a bishop,” said the Bishop of Polynesia, Archbishop Fereimi Cama. “This is a great achievement for the Maori and an accomplishment for the whole church.”
Waitohiariki Quayle said that the most significant moment of the day was seeing the body of Christ gathered together as one family, in which everyone plays their part. “I do not believe in dividing people by saying – you are this or that. We must all be much kinder to one another – always,” she continued.
Waitohiariki Quayle comes from the ngāti kahungunu ki wairarapa and whakatōhea tribes. She was ordained in 2013. Since 2015 she has served as an archdeacon in the Maori pastorate of Wairarapa [tribe]. Until recently, the bishop-elect worked as a manager in the health services sector in the Maori community.
At the consecration service, the long-standing advocate for women leaders in the church Dr. Jenny Te Paa Daniel preached. [..]
Bishop Waitohiariki will oversee the Maori Anglican Church in the northern part of the island, where Taranaki, Manawatu, Wairarapa and Wellington are located.
Archbishop Don Tamihere was joined at the consecration service by Archbishop Fereimi Cama and Archbishop Philip Richardson, as well as bishops of the Anglican Church from Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.
Author: Rachel Farmer
Source: Anglican News