The Consecration of The Rt Rev'd Darrell Critch

Bishop in the Church of God

The Procession

Where do I begin to describe the events of my consecration on Sunday December the 15^th. It was a beautiful sunny day some 36 degrees. For the first time I put on a purple shirt, my bishop’s cassock, and made my way with Sarah and Chase to the hotel where the priests, deacons, and bishops from the Indian Ocean and Australia were already beginning to form an extraordinary procession. We walked through the streets of Mahajanga for half an hour before we even reached the cathedral - Bishops, priests, deacons, provincial synod delegates, and Christians singing and praising the Lord in a grand procession. The cathedral courtyard had been transformed into overflow seating for those who could not fit into the cathedral. We processed through this great throng of people to the great West doors of the cathedral. As we entered, we joined in the singing of The churches one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord. The cathedral resounded with glorious praise - singing like that which I suppose is heard in heaven!

The Examination

Monsignor Gilbert (elected the new private of the Indian Ocean as of yesterday) presented me to the bishops for consecration who asked me the requisite questions, would I care for the flock, guard the faith once for all delivered to the Saints, abide by the doctrine of the church as Christ has given it to us, submit in obedience to the Archbishop of the province and to his successors… Having answered their questions, and because we can do nothing without the Lord's help, we turned to prayer. As the litany was sung, I thought about my being numbered among the apostles, and I found myself weeping.

The Sermon

After the readings, Archbishop Duncan preached a wonderful sermon. He reminded us that the end of all things is secured. Jesus is victorious - so we need not fear. No matter what the trials and tribulations we may face, Jesus is with us by the Holy Spirit - we are never alone. His encouraged us to simply follow Jesus. As we draw closer to Jesus, all manner of things will be well.

The Ordination

At the laying on his hands, when the bishops gathered round me, I could hear several languages all invoking the anointing of the Holy Spirit. They prayed for me just as Jesus did in the upper room when he prayed over the first apostles. I heard receive the Holy Spirit for the office and work of a Bishop in the Church of God now committed unto you by the imposition of our hands, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. I felt the weight of the bishops hands pressing down upon me, but it wasn't burdensome, I heard in my heart my yoke is easy and my burden is light. It really was quite an extraordinary moment for me. I was vested by my deacons. The stole – reminding me that I am yoked with Christ. The dalmatic - reminding me that I am always a deacon and need to be ready to serve. The chasuble of the priest - reminding me be that I am to administer the sacraments. Then the bishops gave me the emblems of the episcopal office, all to remember me to guard the faith. I received an English/Malagasy Bible (a very kind gift from the Diocese of Toliara). Then the episcopal ring, the pectoral cross, and the mitre. Bishop Solo and I left the chancel and went to the nave so that Bishop Jean Claude, the first Bishop of Mahajanga, could symbolically present me with the diocesan crozier. Though he was unable to speak the words, his holding my hand and the crozier spoke beautifully to me

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The Enthronement

Archbishop Wong then presented me to the diocese and the Christians sang a thanksgiving hymn. I am told it is a Christmas hymn, in thanksgiving for the gift of the Christ child, but it has become very common in Madagascar that this particular hymn is sung on all occasions of thanksgiving. The archbishop walked me through the congregation and out through the great West doors. The doors were shut behind me and I stood outside waiting until that moment when the hymn ended. Then I knocked on the great doors of the cathedral with the crozier (symbolically asking if the people of the Diocese would let me in) – representing, as it were, Jesus behold I stand at the door and knock. The vicar general opened the doors, took me by the hand, and lead me to the cathedra - the seat or throne of the Bishop. As I sat, I took the spiritual possession of this diocese. Then I shared in the liturgy of Holy Communion with the other bishops. We broke bread together and blessed the children. After the liturgy Sarah, Chase, and I received many gifts. I had the opportunity to thank people for their kindness, and to lay out a very simple vision for what I believe the Lord is calling me to do as the Bishop of Mahajanga. The liturgy, which began at 8am ended just before 2pm.

The Feasting

Some five-hundred Christians gathered in the cathedral for a great feast and another one-hundred-fifty Christians gathered at a reception in a local hotel. Unbeknownst to me, as the Bishop I had to lead the bishops in a celebration dance! Those of you who know personally, are no doubt laughing at the idea! I found myself dancing with the Indian Ocean bishops and then dancing with the priests of Mahajanga - only the anointing of the Holy Spirit would cause such a thing to happen!!

It's all been overwhelming and very humbling. I don’t understand why I should be chosen for so weighty an office with such wonderful people -but God knows, and I trust him. I am trusting the Lord, that he will go before us and provide everything we need. As I often conclude these articles, I ask your continued help, that you would give as you can to support his ministry, and more so, I ask your prayers - that God would guide me in this new office and ministry as the Bishop of Mahajanga.