Music tutors Jane Hillier and Eli Moore, and a group of music students from Kaitaia's Pompallier School had a surprisingly big audience when their performance at mass at St Joseph's Catholic Church was broadcast on National Shine TV, Bishop Dunn (Auckland) saying more than 15,000 viewers tuned in.

Covid-19 restrictions, particularly in Auckland, have drastically reduced mass congregations, leading to parishes outside Auckland being invited to have their Sunday services televised.

The parish priest at Saint Joseph's in Kaitaia, Father Larry Rustia, had already presented one televised mass last month, and this time students at the local Catholic school were encouraged to join in. Read more

Bishop Patrick Dunn says he has seen and accepted further evidence.

The woman has not made her name public and uses the pseudonym ‘Kathleen'.

Bishop Dunn says he told the woman that he confirmed this in writing.

Bishop Dunn at first held doubts about the priest's paternity. He felt there was conflicting DNA evidence.

It showed that the woman may have been the daughter of the priest's sister.

"Now I do accept that she is the daughter, and not the niece, of a priest," Bishop Dunn says.

DNA confirmation

The DNA test results show a probability of 99.999% that the late priest was her father.

‘Kathleen' says she sought nothing more than acknowledgement.

She says it ends 50 years of secrecy.

Both her mother and father died with the secret.

"It's actually huge because it shows now that you can in confidence go to the Catholic Church ... and then work together. It's a real celebration for the Church as well", she says.

Bishop Dunn expected the extended family would be "distressed".

He says they had been shocked that a priest they respected and loved could have had a child.

He says he hopes they would now accept the facts.

Bishop Dunn says he has no objection to naming the priest.

But he says it's up to ‘Kathleen'. She has declined, saying that would hurt other people.

Bishop Dunn says if a priest should father a child, he should leave the priesthood and look after his family.

New Zealand's Bishops have agreed to talk about the issue of the children of priests at their next national meeting in a few weeks.

Kathleen said she believed the Church was now likely to bring in some proper processes.

Source:

• Radio NZ

Image credit:

• Newsweek

Bishop Dunn's comments, made to the New Zealand Herald, came ahead of performances by Madonna in Auckland.

"There is no question in my mind that some of Madonna's material is highly offensive to Christianity and will be found just as offensive to the majority of people of religious faith, as well as many cultural sensitivities," Bishop Dunn said.

For her Auckland concert, Madonna's stage will be at huge crucifix that will span the arena, with a heart-shaped "Rebel Heart" logo at the end.

The performances are said to feature a "holy water" segment which would feature dancers dressed as bikini-clad nuns performing on cross-shaped stripper poles.

This segment of her show was dropped from a recent concert in Singapore, after authorities deemed that it breached local guidelines.

Singapore's Archbishop William Goh said Catholics had a "moral obligation" not to support those who "denigrate and insult religions".

Bishop Dunn said he concurred with the comments made by his Singapore counterpart, but stopped short of asking his flock not to see Madonna.

He said the archbishop made a valid observation, especially in times of heightened religious sensitivities, that people could not afford to be overly permissive in favour of artistic expression at the expense of respect for one's religion.

"Here in New Zealand religion is not always taken very seriously, yet in addition to Christianity there are people of many other faiths, all together representing over half our population," he said.

"In a multi-cultural and multi-faith society like New Zealand, it is imperative that entertainers not presume their own cultural perspective is that of the majority. Often it is not."

In an interview with Radio Live, Bishop Dunn said there seemed to be greater licence to be offensive to Christians than to other faiths or ethnic groups.

"I'd bet every penny I've got that Madonna dare wouldn't use lyrics as offensive to Islam as she feels free to use with regard to Christianity. That's just a fact, that people would respond with outrage," Bishop Dunn said.

The bishop said he didn't want anything that denigrated Muslims or Maori or any value that people hold dear.

But he confirmed to an interviewer that he was effectively saying that Muslims and Maori seem to be better protected from insult and offense than Christians.

Bishop Dunn said he was calling for good manners and respect.

Sources

• New Zealand Herald
• Radio Live
• Catholic News Agency
• Channel News Asia
• Image: New Zealand Herald

The play, portraying the passion of Christ, will be put on by the southern parishes of Auckland diocese on Saturday, March 28.

The venue at Villa Maria features a natural amphitheatre, being inside the crater of a 20,000 year old extinct volcano.

The three-part event is supported by Auckland diocese and will be free of charge apart from a fee for premium reserved seating.

The first part, beginning at 5.30pm, will be a procession portraying the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem, with a Jesus figure riding on a donkey accompanied by crowds waving palms.

This will be followed with time for the audience to have a picnic meal, which they can bring themselves or avail of the many barbecues that will be set up around the venue.

No drinks apart from sealed bottled water can be brought into the venue. There will be beverages available for purchase.

Part three is the passion play itself, starting at 7.30pm.

"They Crucified Him" will be produced and directed by award-winning producer, Ross Jennings, and co-directed by Terri de'Ath.

With music under the direction of well-known Auckland musician Robert Loretz, the performance will feature a large cast and choir and professional lighting, sound and costumes.

Bishop Patrick Dunn has said that this very moving portrayal will be an opportunity for all Christians to reflect upon the meaning of Holy Week.

"With the combined expertise of the team led by Ross Jennings and Robert Loretz and the participation of the parishes of south Auckland, I am confident that this will be a memorable and deeply uplifting and moving experience," he said.

All spectators have to register for the event. Registrations must be completed by February 28.

For more details and requirements for the venue, see the event pamphlet.

Parishes are being encouraged to arrange group transport.

In 2010 the three parishes of Pukekohe, Tuakau and Waiuku combined to perform a very well received outdoor passion play.

Sources

• Auckland diocese
• Image: InfoNews