 He then went on to study at Holy Name Seminary, Christchurch (operated by the Jesuit order) and Holy Cross College, Mosgiel (operated by the Vincentian order).Denis Browne was ordained a Catholic priest on 30 June 1962 by James Liston, Archbishop of Auckland, at St Patrick's Cathedral, Auckland.After ordination, he was assigned to parish work in Gisborne where he served from 1963 until 1968.