The new Roman Missal will be delivered to each of the New Zealand dioceses this week. They will then be distributed to parishes as soon as possible. The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference has not set a day for national implementation of the new Roman Missal as yet, but they will be soon be informing Read more
In an interview on Vatican Radio Archbishop Dew said “Our main challenge, I suppose is how to be present in an increasingly secular society. We are often described as a very secular country, and this is a problem that we are trying to deal with by being a stronger presence in society.” “For example, we Read more
There has been an opportunity for the New Zealand Catholic Bishops meet to with Pope Benedict XVI. This was the first of two meetings they will have with the Pope during their ad limina visit. The second meeting will take place on Saturday 17 December. President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop John Dew of Read more
As Social Justice Week (11-17 September) falls this year in the first week of Rugby World Cup competition, Catholic social justice agency Caritas has focused on the theme ‘On a level playing field’ to examine issues of fairness and the common good in the light of Catholic social teaching. Archbishop John Dew kicked off Social Read more
Most beneficiaries are genuine, a Catholic delegation told Finance Minister Bill English last week, and the government should not describe beneficiaries in ways that stigmatise and stereotype the poor. The delegation, led by Archbishop John Dew, met Mr English on 15 August to discuss welfare reform, a day after the National government began a series Read more
A couple of weeks ago I was caught up in a conversation with a group of people which left me wondering if they had really grasped the Good News of the Gospel at all. Their point of the conversation was all about sin and how dreadful the world is and what sinners we are. To Read more
At the May meeting of the Bishops’ Conference the NZ bishops received the “recognitio” (approval) for the English text of the Missal. The ICET text of the Our Father (what people refer to as the “new” Our Father) was not among the texts given recognition for the Missal. This means that all English-speaking countries will Read more
Archbishop John Dew has announced a review into parishes in the Archdiocese of Wellington. A group has been set up to conduct the review, and will report back after August 28. He has told parishioners that parish closures or amalgamations “may well be inevitable”. “The viability of our fledgling pastoral areas, as well as our funding options, Read more
Do we see the importance of our Baptism? Do we ever stop and think that on our Baptism day we were signed with the Oil of Catechumens? Do we ever see ourselves as a gift of holiness for our family, friends, work colleagues………do we know that we light up the world with our kindness, joy, Read more
The shortage of priests in New Zealand was highlighted by Archbishop John Dew in his homily at the Chrism Mass on Wednesday. He told his congregation that in the six years he has been been Archbishop of Wellington he has ordained one priest. In Cardinal Williams’, his predecessor’s, first six years, thirty two men were Read more