The Catholic Church has “lost the plot” and needs to rethink its media strategy according to Emeritus Bishop of Auckland Patrick Dunn. – Originally reported 2 May, 2022. Dunn made the comment at a farewell lunch for Dame Lyndsay Freer, who for so long was the voice and face of Catholic Communications in New Zealand, Read more
When Auckland Emeritus Bishop Patrick Dunn was asked by Holy Cross Seminary rector Fr Mathew Vadakkevettuvazhiyil to teach Maori language and culture to first-year seminarians, he was hesitant to accept the role. “I can’t see properly and I’m not Maori,” Bishop Dunn said. “I had huge doubts doing it but mostly because of my eyesight. Read more
A New Zealand liturgical theologian is sad the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference National Synodal Synthesis is calling for a new English translation of the Roman Missal. Dr Joe Grayland makes the comment in a comment and analysis piece in today’s CathNews. The National synodal synthesis calls for “liturgical language that is welcoming, inclusive, less misogynistic, Read more
Pope Francis has appointed Bishop of Hamilton Stephen Lowe as the new Catholic Bishop of Auckland. The appointment was announced in Rome at midnight New Zealand time and means the dioceses of Hamilton, Palmerston North and Christchurch are without bishops pending Pope Francis announcing new appointments. Bishop Lowe replaces Bishop Pat Dunn, who has served Read more
The End of Life Choice Act will create a tough pastoral issue for New Zealand’s Catholic bishops says Bishop Patrick Dunn (pictured). The Act comes into force on 7 November. The big pastoral issue revolves around whether or not to give the last rites to people who choose assisted suicide or euthanasia. The last rites Read more
Standing together in solidarity with those in India affected by Covid is what an Auckland parish and school is doing with a COVID fundraiser. Otahuhu Catholic Parish and School communities is sending help to those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in India, says Lyndsay Freer, Media and Communications Officer for the Catholic Diocese of Auckland. Read more
The Catholic bishop of Auckland, Patrick Dunn is urging Catholics in the diocese to cooperate with policies in place and for the community to combat COVID-19. “In particular we recognise the importance during this Alert Level 3 period of not gathering in our churches, staying home unless essential, and not leaving the borders of the Read more
If we’re looking for something to do for Lent, we could do as Pope Francis suggests and take up gratitude, says Auckland’s Catholic bishop, Patrick Dunn. And if we’re looking for something to give up, the pope suggests the Lenten season could be a time to give up gossip, Dunn added, in an on-line address Read more
Ash Wednesday on Sunday is a possibility. Cardinal John Dew and Bishop Patrick Dunn identified the option in messages to pastoral leaders and people in their respective dioceses. “If the Alert Level changes back to Level 1 on Wednesday night, we will look at having the belling and distribution of the ashes at Masses next Read more
Two of New Zealand’s religious leaders agree that the progress made in getting on to of SARS-CoV-2 should not be put at risk. But they are asking the government to just let them know about any perceived weaknesses in the practice of religion so that they can fix them. The president of the New Zealand Read more