Brian Ashby

Brian Patrick Ashby (10 November 1923 – 5 June 1988) was the fifth Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, New Zealand. He was appointed by Pope Paul VI on 11 July 1964, resigned the see on 4 July 1985, and died on 5 June 1988. He was the leading New Zealand Catholic bishop in attempting to implement the decrees of the Vatican Council II and he was the leading bishop on social justice issues.

Priesthood Ashby returned to Christchurch and was appointed as assistant priest in the new parish of North Timaru. In 1957 he became secretary to Bishop Joyce, the 4th Bishop of Christchurch. In 1960 Ashby was sent to London to study the techniques of the Catholic Enquiry Centre there. Ashby became the co-director of the New Zealand Catholic Enquiry Centre when it opened in Wellington in 1961. On 11 July 1964, Ashby was appointed as the Fifth Bishop of Christchurch, succeeding Bishop Joyce. In Christchurch, he was pivotal in enabling the construction of the Our Lady of Victories Church in 1968, designed by Charles Thomas to embrace the spirit of Vatican II.

Social justice concerns Ashby had the role of visionary in the Catholic hierarchy and he became a significant leader in Church and community affairs. His youth, energy and charisma enabled him to take the lead on social justice issues, particularly those involving Māori-Pākehā relations, overseas aid and sporting contacts with South Africa (which he visited, to see for himself the consequences of Apartheid) Both he and his friend, Bishop Pyatt were outspoken critics of the 1981 Springbok Rugby Tour. The effect of Ashby's leadership was visible in 1981, when scarcely a priest in his diocese supported the tour. Ashby said that he was a peaceful man but that he "owed it to my integrity to take the stands that I have taken". Ashby is interred in Christchurch's Bromley Cemetery.