Roman Catholic Cardinal. Timaru born Reginald John Delargey was the eldest and only son in a family of six. Brought up by their father following the early death of his wife, Reginald received his education at the Catholic schools of Lawrence, Napier and Patea, entering later the Sacred Heart College in Auckland and the Holy Cross College in Mosgiel. Sent to Rome in order to further his studies at the Pontifical Urbanian Athenaeum in 1934, he was ordained priest there in March 1938. Back in New Zealand following the start of the Second World War, he was soon named curate of Takapuna parish and successively of St. Patrick's cathedral of Auckland. Director of the Catholic Social Services of the latter diocese between 1940 and 1947, in the meantime he was appointed director of the Catholic Youth Movement. Introducing the work of the Young Christian Students into the Catholic secondary school, in 1957, he represented New Zealand at the congresses of Young Christian Workers and the Lay Apostolate celebrated in Rome. Named auxiliary for the diocese of Auckland by Pope Pius XII, he received his episcopal consecration with the titular see of Irima on February 27, 1958. Named national director of missions that same year, on September 1, 1970 he was elected ordinary of Auckland, being later promoted to the metropolitan see of Wellington on April 25, 1974, following the death of Cardinal Peter Thomas McKeefry. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of May 24, 1976 by Pope Paul VI, with the title of Immacolata al Tiburtino, he acted as president of the Episcopal Conference of New Zealand between that year and his death, which occurred less than four years at the Mater Misericordiæ Hospital of Auckland, due to cancer. Interred in the priests' plot at Karori Cemetery near his predecessor after an impressive funeral which was televised live, the Cardinal is commemorated by a memorial window in St. Patrick's Catholic church in Lawrence.
Roman Catholic Cardinal. Timaru born Reginald John Delargey was the eldest and only son in a family of six. Brought up by their father following the early death of his wife, Reginald received his education at the Catholic schools of Lawrence, Napier and Patea, entering later the Sacred Heart College in Auckland and the Holy Cross College in Mosgiel. Sent to Rome in order to further his studies at the Pontifical Urbanian Athenaeum in 1934, he was ordained priest there in March 1938. Back in New Zealand following the start of the Second World War, he was soon named curate of Takapuna parish and successively of St. Patrick's cathedral of Auckland. Director of the Catholic Social Services of the latter diocese between 1940 and 1947, in the meantime he was appointed director of the Catholic Youth Movement. Introducing the work of the Young Christian Students into the Catholic secondary school, in 1957, he represented New Zealand at the congresses of Young Christian Workers and the Lay Apostolate celebrated in Rome. Named auxiliary for the diocese of Auckland by Pope Pius XII, he received his episcopal consecration with the titular see of Irima on February 27, 1958. Named national director of missions that same year, on September 1, 1970 he was elected ordinary of Auckland, being later promoted to the metropolitan see of Wellington on April 25, 1974, following the death of Cardinal Peter Thomas McKeefry. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of May 24, 1976 by Pope Paul VI, with the title of Immacolata al Tiburtino, he acted as president of the Episcopal Conference of New Zealand between that year and his death, which occurred less than four years at the Mater Misericordiæ Hospital of Auckland, due to cancer. Interred in the priests' plot at Karori Cemetery near his predecessor after an impressive funeral which was televised live, the Cardinal is commemorated by a memorial window in St. Patrick's Catholic church in Lawrence.
Bio by: Eman Bonnici
Inscription
PRAY FOR HIS EMINENCE
REGINALD JOHN CARDINAL DELARGEY
BORN DECEMBER 10 1914
ORDAINED PRIEST MARCH 19 1938
AUXILIARY BISHOP OF AUCKLAND DECEMBER 10 1970
ARCHBISHOP OF WELLINGTON JULY 16 1974
CARDINAL MAY 24 1976
DIED JANUARY 29 1979
MAY HE REST IN PEACE
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