by Neil Sayer, Archdiocesan Archivist

 

60 years ago this month, the Cathedral Crypt held the only enthronement of an Archbishop in its existence. George Andrew Beck was officially installed as the sixth Archbishop of Liverpool on 12 March 1964. Previous Archbishops had been enthroned at the Pro-Cathedral of St Nicholas on Copperas Hill, but when the Archbishop’s throne was transferred to the Crypt in 1959, that partially completed building became the cathedral of our archdiocese.

 

When the new Metropolitan Cathedral, designed by Frederick Gibberd, opened in 1967, it became the venue for all of the following enthronements of Archbishops, and indeed our newest Auxiliary Bishop was ordained there in 2021. Archbishop Beck was presumably no stranger to the ceremonies associated with his enthronement, having already been a Bishop three times over. Born in London in 1904 and ordained as a priest in 1927, he taught and was a headmaster for the next two decades.

 

When Bishop Doubleday of Brentwood became ill in 1947, Father Beck was appointed as Coadjutor to assist him in that diocese. His consecration took place on 21 September 1948. When Bishop Doubleday died in 1951, Bishop Beck automatically succeeded him as Bishop of Brentwood. In 1955, he moved north when he was appointed Bishop of Salford, his enthronement taking place in January 1956.

 

His period in charge of Salford was a happy time for him. “I like the people up here tremendously”, he said. By the time he was announced as the sixth Archbishop of Liverpool, on 11 February 1964, the city was the focus of worldwide Beatlemania. The popularity of the Beatles meant that of course he would be asked about them. “I think they are a good influence”, he said diplomatically. “There is something straightforward about them that I like, but I don’t understand the reaction to them by youngsters.”

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On a chilly day in March 1964, work on the building of the new cathedral paused as workmen engaged on the shell of the structure took in the procession 100 feet below them. Archbishop Beck arrived at the main entrance to the Crypt dressed in his purple cloak, preceded by the Metropolitan Cross and bearing his crozier, the staff of office symbolising the shepherd’s crook.

 

He moved into the Pontifical Chapel accompanied by the Provost and Canons of the Cathedral Chapter. Among the 1,500 people in the congregation for the enthronement service were 3 Archbishops, 12 Bishops and 2 Abbots. Those who couldn’t get a direct view of proceedings were able to watch on television screens in the adjoining chapels, filled to overflowing, as a closed circuit relay was laid on for them.

 

The service lasted for 2 hours, and its main purpose was fulfilled when the Papal Delegate led Archbishop Beck to his throne, offered prayers and recited the formula of enthronement, placing the Archbishop on his throne: “We leave you thus enthroned, installed and inducted in this sacred See”.

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One of the priorities for the new Archbishop was to foster a spirit of ecumenism. “The age of religious animosities is vanishing rapidly”, he said. “If there is anything I can do to see that it goes completely, I will certainly try to do it.” One thing he had done immediately was to invite representatives of the Church of England and the Free Churches to attend his enthronement.

 

The presence of Bishop Laurence Brown and the Rev John Matson was the first time representatives of their respective churches had attended such a ceremony. In Liverpool at least, it certainly wouldn’t be the last.

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