Background
Brodie was born in Coromandel, New Zealand in 1871.
Brodie was born in Coromandel, New Zealand in 1871.
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. He was noted for his interest in promoting the general well-being of all.
He received his early education in Coromandel and at the "Pitt Street School" (Street Peter"s School).
He was then sent to Sydney for his secondary education at Street Joseph"s College, Hunters Hill and he then trained as a priest at Street Patrick"s College, Manly where one of his professors was Michael Verdon. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Auckland in Street Patrick"s Cathedral, Auckland by Bishop Lenihan on 20 December 1896.
Brodie first served as curate at Street Benedict"s Church, Newton, Auckland and then at the village of Puhoi. He was the first Parish Priest at Waihi.
Brodie was at Waihi at the time of the 1912 Waihi miners" strike and he made personal efforts which contributed to its settlement.
He was effective because he was respected by all the parties. After leaving Waihi, he was Administrator at Street Patrick"s Cathedral and then Parish Priest at Parnell. He was also latterly the Vicar general of the Auckland Diocese.
Brodie was consecrated 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.
His appointment there was received with joy. However, as the first secular bishop in what had been regarded as a Marist diocese, he had lengthy disputes with Marist superiors about the order"s tenure of parishes.
Brodie was notable for his keen interest and support of Catholic education, especially of Street Bede"s College, Christchurch. Brodie introduced the Carmelite nuns to Christchurch and he advanced the Holy Name Society, the Legion of Mary and the Catholic Women"s League.
Brodie proved to be a popular, long-serving and hard-working prelate in Christchurch.
As Bishop, Brodie always "showed himself in the front rank in any movement connected with the well-being of the community in general". This was especially in the context of the Great depression. He also supported the Order of Street John.
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. In 1935, he was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Meda
Brodie was a patient at Lewisham Hospital (later called Calvary Hospital) from April 1943 until his death on 11 October 1843, aged 79. His body lay in state on 13 October and thousands of passed through the Cathedral.
Brodie"s requiem mass was celebrated by Bishop Liston and his Panagyric was preached by Archbishop O"Shea.
Bishop O"Neill assisted at the Massachusetts Brodie was interred at Mountain Magdala at the Street John of God Chapel.