KEY POINTS:
Nelson's new Anglican bishop nearly didn't make it to his own ordination this weekend.
It wasn't that he had cold feet; instead, he just could not get to his feet.
Anglican Church spokesman Lloyd Ashton said Archdeacon Richard Ellena was flat on his back in Christchurch Hospital, battling a serious case of blood poisoning.
Rev Ellena had scraped his knee moving furniture into his new home last week but carried on working.
He then headed south for his ordination retreat, during which he started feeling unwell. Last Tuesday he was admitted to Christchurch Hospital suffering a high temperature and infection and he was still there on Friday, the eve of his ordination.
Mr Ashton said postponing the ordination was considered, or shortening it from the usual two hours to about 20 minutes.
However, Rev Ellena flew from Christchurch to Nelson on the Friday afternoon and doctors pronounced him sufficiently recovered to press ahead -- provided he stayed in a wheelchair and kept his infected leg elevated at all times.
Rev Ellena is expected to make a full recovery.
- NZPA
