1. May he Rest in Peace
Most Reverend John Mackey,
Emeritus Bishop of Auckland
Our Bishop Emeritus, Bishop John Mackey died peacefully on Monday, about
9.15am at the Little Sisters in Ponsonby.
He was the Ninth Bishop of Auckland [1974-1983] but was forced to retire because
of acute migraines. His doctors had said they were possibly caused by a car accident
he had had years earlier, which had produced a condition he described as 'like
varicose veins in the head'.
On 6th December last year Bishop John fell at his home in Takapuna & chipped his
hip. He was taken to North Shore Hospital and had a plate & some pins inserted, but
did not really recover sufficiently to return home. He would improve, and then
deteriorate. Last week a room became available at the Little Sisters so on Friday 17
January he was transferred there. When Mother Cecilia welcomed him to St
Joseph's Home, he said he really wanted to go to Heaven, but this would do in the
meantime.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
+John will go to the Chapel at the Little Sisters on Wednesday afternoon, and
then on Friday 24 January at 7.30pm his body will be solemnly received into the
Cathedral with Vigil Prayers and the sharing of memories [of which there are
many]. He will lie in state over the weekend Masses, and his Requiem will be at
11am on Monday 27th January, which is Anniversary Day and so a public holiday
in Auckland. He will be interred at the Cathedral. RIP.
+Patrick Dunn