THE ENTHRONEMENT OF THE PRIMATE
SIR,—The enthronement (the correct word is, I believe, inthronisation) of a bishop is a picturesque and impressive ceremony. I speak as one to whom it has fallen to arrange two. It may be regarded as a formal introduction of the bishop to the clergy and principal laity of the diocese.
But in England, at any rate, I do not, think that it is of any force. Here, when a man has been elected, confirmed and consecrated (if need be) and has done homage he is in full possession of his see and all its appurtenances. Enthronement adds nothing to his duties, rights, power or possession. Therefore, to postpone it for a few weeks after homage does not hamper the bishop in any way or do any injury to the Church. If it never took place at all nobody would be any the worse, though the omission might be considered as regrettable as the abolition of the Lord Mayor's Show.
Janus' reference to the Laud commemoration in St. Paul's is not, I think, really relevant. To be worth holding, that had to be on January ioth, or (earlier) on the Sunday next before.
The date of an enthronement is a matter of convenience.—Yours
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