'Meteoric' rise for bishop

Ross Bay was yesterday ordained Anglican Bishop of Auckland.

His ordination and installation as 11th Anglican Bishop of Auckland took place in Parnell's Holy Trinity Cathedral in front of about 1000 people.

Cameron Brewer, chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association, described Bishop Bay's rise in the church as "meteoric"

"Ross Bay was Newmarket's local vicar, at St Mark's Church on Remuera Rd, until November 2007," he said.

"He was then appointed Dean of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, with his first big job to preside over the funeral of Sir Edmund Hillary in January 2008.

"It's amazing to think that just over two years ago Ross was effectively a village vicar, albeit an outstanding one. Now he's one of the most senior clergymen in New Zealand."

The newly-ordained bishop was welcomed by the cathedral community after knocking three times with his pastoral staff on the closed doors of the building.

- NZPA