The Most Reverend Bishop Emeritus Denis Browne, CNZM, died Sunday 2 September. He was 86.
Bishop Denis was born in Auckland on 21 September 1937, the son of Neville John and Catherine Anne Browne. Bishop Denis attended St. Michael's Primary school, Remuera, and St. Peter's College, Epsom before entering Holy Name Seminary, Christchurch and Holy Cross College, Mosgiel.
Bishop Denis was ordained a priest on 30 June 1962 by Archbishop Liston, of Auckland, at the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Joseph Auckland. After ordination, he was assigned to parish work in Gisborne where he served from 1963 until 1968. He also served in Papatoetoe [1968–1971], Remuera [1972– 1975], Tonga -Nukualofa, Houma,`Eva [1975–1977]. On 29 June 1977 he was consecrated bishop in St. Patrick's and St Joseph Cathedral, Auckland. Bishop Denis served as Bishop of the Cook Islands and Niue until 1983. He became the tenth Bishop of Auckland on 24 August 1983 and served in that post until 1994 when he was was installed as the Diocese of Hamilton's second bishop.
In 1990, Bishop Denis was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal and in the 2001 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the community.
Pope Francis accepted Bishop Denis' resignation on 22 November 2014 and his successor Stephen Lowe now the 12th Bishop of Auckland was appointed as the 3rd Bishop of Hamilton. Bishop Denis was the principal consecrator at Bishop Steve's episcopal consecration.
Bishop Denis was one of six children. Both his brothers Neville (RIP) and Michael (RIP) were priests. Two of his sisters Margaret and Agnes are Sisters of Mercy. Mary (RIP) married. Mary's daughter Catherine Ryan serves the diocese as Vicar for Education.
Funeral Details
A Memorial Mass for Bishop Denis will be prayed at The Cathedral of St Patrick and St Joseph at 1.30pm on Thursday 5 September. You can access a recording of this Mass <here>.
A Funeral Mass was held at the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Hamilton at 11.00am on Friday 6 September, Bishop Denis was then interned in Ohaupo cemetery.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.
In his own words
From the Homily given at his installation as 10 Bishop of Auckland - 24/08/83
'Tonight we have gathered together to celebrate 'CHURCH" We have gathered to celebrate the fact that we are a community of faith, hope and love...Tonight we have come together, not as individuals but as very important cells of that living body which is the Body of Christ...As we reflect on the composition of the Church of Auckland we cannot be anything else but full of awe at the goodness of God to us.