| Personal details | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 May 1864 Coromandel  New Zealand |
| Died | 11 October 1943 Christchurch New Zealand |
Matthew Joseph Brodie (1864-1943) was the second Catholic bishop of Christchurch, New Zealand. He was appointed by Pope Benedict XV on 27 November 1915 and died in office on 11 October 1943. He was the first New Zealander by birth to be made a Catholic bishop.[1]
Brodie was born in Coromandel, New Zealand in 1864. He was sent to Sydney for his secondary education at St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill and he then trained as a priest at St Patrick's College, Manly where one of his professors was Michael Verdon. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Auckland in St Patrick's Cathedral, Auckland by Bishop Lenihan on 20 December 1896.[1]
Brodie first served as curate at St Benedict's Church, Newton, Auckland and then at the village of Puhoi. He was the first Parish Priest at Waihi.[1] Brodie was at Waihi at the time of the 1912 Waihi miners' strike and he made personal efforts which contributed to its settlement.[2] He was effective because he was respected by all the parties.[3] After leaving Waihi, he was Administrator at St Patrick's Cathedral and then Parish Priest at Parnell. He was also latterly the Vicar general of the Auckland Diocese.[1]
Brodie was ordained a bishop on 27 February 1916 in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Christchurch by the Apostolic delegate, Cardinal Cerretti, assisted by Archbishop Redwood and Bishop Verdon.[1] Brodie was notable for his keen interest and support of Catholic education, especially of St Bede's College, Christchurch which had been founded by Brodie's predecessor and was located to ts present site in 1920. He also supported Nazereth House and the Sisters of the Good Shepherd at Mt Magdela, especially their orphanage of St Joseph.[1] Brodie also introduced the Carmelite nuns to Christchurch]].[2] and he advanced the Holy Name Society, the Legion of Mary and the Catholic Womens League.[3]
As Bishop, Brodie always "showed himself in the front rank in any movement connected with the well-being of the community in general".[3] This was especially in the context of the Great depression. He also supoorted the Order of St John.[1] Brodie, cooperating with the Anglican Archbishop West-Watson, mediated to promote the settlement of the Tramway Strike of 1932. He met with the parties till dawn in working for a peaceful settlement.[3]
Brodie was a patient at Lewisham Hospital from April 1943 until his death on 11 October of that year.[1] His body lay in state on 13 October and thousands of passsed through the Cathedral.[4] Brodie's requiem mass was celebrated by Bishop Liston and his Panagyric was preached by Thomas O'Shea (Archbishop). Bishop O'Neill assisted at the Mass. Brodie was interred at Mt Magdela.[2]