The bishops' National Liturgy Office has begun advertising for an artist who will create a work incorporating Mary for a special commemoration next August 15, the Feast Day of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven.

"The bishops want to commission a piece of artwork for that day, to commemorate Bishop Pompallier dedicating the country to Mary when he celebrated the first Catholic Mass here in 1838, in the Hokianga," Catherine Gibbs the National Liturgy Office administrator said.

"We are advertising for artists to submit expressions of interest for an appropriate artwork. It could be a sculpture, a painting, a carving; any suitable kind of work.

Gibbs said the bishops want an artist who will create a work with for the theme Mary Mother of God and Patroness of Aotearoa New Zealand.

"We are looking for an image that is new and speaks to the reality of life in Aotearoa New Zealand in the 21st Century.

It will be respectful of scripture, theology and Catholic tradition."

The intention is that the artwork will be taken on a hikoi around the country next year to commemorate the dedication to Mary."

Pompallier was consecrated Bishop in 1836.

He had responsibility for whole Western Oceania which covered a large area of Polynesia and Melanesia and encompassed many Pacific Islands including Aotearoa New Zealand.

In France, Pompallier had been was closely associated with the Society of Mary (Marists).

And when heleft from Le Havre on December 24 1836, he was accompanied by four priests and three brothers of the Society of Mary.

He was present for the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 and published some of the first printed Maori prayer books.

When Auckland was set up as a Diocese in 1848, he became its first bishop.

In 1868 Pompallier returned to France.

Source

• catholic.org.nz
• nzhistory.govt.nz
• Image: catholic.org.nz

On Sunday, the Catholic bishops of New Zealand want Catholic communities to reflect on the plight of these migrant workers.

21 June, is the annual Day of Prayer for Refugees and Migrants and the theme of this day is Where is your brother or sister?

With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the economy worldwide, in New Zealand, the government has been quick to offer emergency benefits to New Zealanders, the bishops note.

But the bishops say one big chunk of the workforce is missing out; migrant workers.

Pope Francis says: "We must not look away but take special care to see and hear our migrant brothers and sisters who are experiencing exploitation."

They point out that even before the pandemic, migrant worker exploitation had been a serious problem that even the New Zealand Government has acknowledged by holding a review.

This week the government announced a three-month time-limited assistance programme will provide essentials like food, housing, petrol to get to a new job or the airport and over-the-counter medication but doesn't include cash payments.

It comes with a warning from Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters: "If you can't get back on your feet, you should leave New Zealand "as soon as possible".

But the mayor of Queenstown, Jim Boult says it is a mistake to think the term migrant workers refers to people here for a short period of time.

"We have folk who have been here on essential skills visas sometimes up to 10 years."

"They've been a hardworking part of our community. They've paid their taxes. They've helped build the tourism industry to what it was."

"They're active in local groups in their communities."

"It's not just as simple as saying to them 'well, you need to go home'."

Mangere East Family Services CEO Peter Sykes said the announcement was "nice", but a lot of economic damage had already been done to families from the lack of assistance early on in the crisis.

"This is what you throw beggars on the street," he said.

"A lot of migrants won't even pick it [the assistance] up. It's too much paperwork and it's not actually what they need. What they need to know is that they've got a roof over their head and they're treated with some respect.

Click here for resources Caritas resources for Day of Prayer for Refugees and Migrants

Source

• caritas.org.nz
• rnz.co.nz
• vaticannews.va
• newsroom.co.nz
• newsroom.co.nz
• stuff.co.nz
• nzherald.co.nz
• Image: indianweekender.co.nz

More than 3,000 filled the Vodafone Events Centre.

The events centre was needed because so many people wanted to attend, the cathedral was not big enough.

Bishop Michael was ordained to be his long-needed assistant by Bishop Pat Dunn, Bishop of Auckland.

On his Facebook page, Dunn wrote: "the joy and excitement was palpable".

"How uplifting to see so many young people involved! The music and ceremony, representing our ancient traditions as well as the culture of the many communities who form part of our Church."

• Click here to see photographs and videos on Bishop Pat's Facebook page
• Click here to see photographs and videos on The New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Facebook page
• Click here to see photographs and videos on NZCatholic Facebook page
• Click here to hear Bishop Pat's homily.
• Click here to hear Pope Francis' letter to Bishop Gielen

Cambridge-born Bishop Gielen (48) is the son of Henk and Maureen Gielen of Mount Maunganui.

He is the eldest of six children. He is a keen sportsman and enjoys cricket, rugby, cycling and golf.

After working in the justice department for a couple of years, Gielen began seminary formation at New Zealand's Holy Cross College in 1992.

He was ordained a priest at the age of 26 for his home diocese of Hamilton in 1997.

Gielen served for four years as an assistant priest in Gisborne.

In 2002, he was appointed pastor of Frankton and Raglan

In 2005, he began to study for a master's in theology at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio.

On his return in 2007 Gielan was appointed Parish Priest, St. Thomas More, Mt. Maunganui and St. Patrick's Te Puke until 2012.

He then undertook a licentiate in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

He returned to New Zealand in 2014 and was appointed director of formation at Holy Cross Seminary in Auckland.

Source

• facebook
• scoop.co.nz
• troubonline.com
• catholic.org.nz
• Image: facebook

Their existing rights are already tenuous, the bishops note.

The legislation offers infants with foetal disabilities even less protection than they have under the current law.

Speaking on the bishops' behalf, Catholic lecturer at Te Kupenga - the Catholic Leadership Institute, Cynthia Piper, said an unborn child is entitled to a place in the human family.

This includes all the rights that go with that.

"In the womb, the child already has its own unique genetic identity and whakapapa."

"Our abortion laws must reflect this reality," Piper says.

"It is a major failing of the proposed new law that there will no longer be any statutory requirement to consider the rights of the unborn child. That is totally unacceptable to the bishops and many New Zealanders."

Parliament's Abortion Legislation Select Committee has recommended enacting a new law that removes the need for any statutory tests for an abortion up to 20 weeks gestation.

This is effectively introducing abortion on demand, Piper says.

In cases where the pregnancy is over 20 weeks, the Select Committee recommends a health practitioner would need to reasonably believe the abortion is appropriate in the circumstances.

The woman's physical, mental health and well-being would be considered.

But Piper says the criteria are undefined, subjective and broad.

Another of the bishops' concerns is the proposed bill removes all references to foetal abnormalities.

The existing law cites them as a reason for abortion up to 20 weeks, but not after.

"It is clear that the legal changes being proposed for pregnancies greater than 20 weeks will significantly widen the ability for a woman to have an abortion on the basis of disability," Piper says.

"That represents a significant change from the current law which does not allow late term abortions on the basis of fetal abnormality."

The bishops fear the proposed changes will harm women's well-being.

Piper says she has worked with many women who have had abortions and experienced long-lasting negative effects, especially when they felt pressured into having an abortion.

"The coercive reality of societal, familial and economic pressures that arise when a woman suddenly finds herself with an unplanned pregnancy is well documented."

"The select committee itself acknowledges that they heard from several submitters, particularly young women, who believed they might not have chosen abortion if they had received more support."

"But what is being proposed will not help women in this situation make different decisions."

The select committee received 25,718 written submissions on the proposed law change. Over 90 per cent were opposed.

Source

• Scoop
• Image: YouTube

So far I have spoken in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart and Launceston, Adelaide, Perth and Benalla in North East Victoria.

The idea for the forums came ahead of a visit to Papua New Guinea (including Manus Island), that I made in August, following my retirement from the Federal Parliament.

I wanted to get the message across to Australians and our government that even with the closure of the detention centre on Manus Island, the next step must be taken for those who remain in PNG as asylum seekers.

We must continue to urge the Australian Government to resettle those eligible asylum seekers in New Zealand.

The existing situation continues to cost Australians too much both financially and in terms of our reputation in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.

The overwhelming response from the PNG people has been that it is time to end detention and they are proud and supportive of the action taken by their Prime Minister, James Marape, to initiate the termination of services provided to asylum seekers detained on Manus Island.

During my two terms as Member for Indi between 2013 and 2019, eight branches of Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) in the electorate and the then National President, Marie Sellstrom, ensured I was informed of the status of those seeking asylum in Australia but placed in offshore detention in PNG and Nauru and in onshore detention in all Australian states.

Working with Rural Australians for Refugees provided the opportunity to speak directly to Australians about respect, justice and compassion for those seeking asylum and the need to find a solution to the plight of people "dumped" in PNG.

It is also important to respect the rights of PNG to manage its own affairs in the best interests of the country and its people.

I want to do more than speak to rural and regional Australians about the plight of asylum seekers.

I want everyone I speak with to take action and write to their local MP and State senators in the Federal Parliament. By taking this kind of action throughout our communities, there is a greater chance the Government will listen and respond.

Many within the faith communities I have spoken to in the past month support this approach. The Josephites, Brigidines, Baptists, Uniting Church and Anglicans have all provided venues for the speaking tour we have organised.

I thank them and my friends within RAR for their help.

Now we are asking all faith communities to support our request that the Australian Government end the punishment of people seeking asylum. Please write to the Australian Government and Parliamentarians, asking them to work cooperatively with the New Zealand and PNG Governments to find a resolution to the unacceptable quarantining of human beings on the islands of PNG and Nauru.

Pope Francis has said, "Migrants, refugees, displaced persons and victims of trafficking have become emblems of exclusion". It is shameful the Australian Government and the country's major political parties have taken this approach.

On September 30, 2019, Fr Giorgio Licini, General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of PNG and the Solomon Islands wrote:

"Nauru and Papua New Guinea fall within the majority of countries that, in spite of all the goodwill, still can't ensure proper care for their citizens.

"These countries have few doctors, scarcity of medicines, lack of equipment and lack of facilities.

"Thousands of people die in PNG every year from curable diseases despite everybody's efforts. Trying to push the idea that asylum seekers and refugees in PNG have proper health care is laughable and irritating."

Together with Rural Australians for Refugees, I ask all those who believe in social justice and human rights, especially the Bishops of New Zealand, to support Fr Licini and urge the Governments of New Zealand, PNG and Australia to work together to find a resolution to this issue seeking a fair and just process for people seeking asylum in the Asia Pacific Region.

• Cathy McGowan AO, Former Australian Independent Federal Member for Indi
• Image: Planning Institute Australia

It was attended by A crowd of several hundred people - many of whom spilled out into the foyer.

Clergy from throughout Southland, Otago, New Zealand and Australia were in attendance at the mass, as was Invercargill mayor Tim Shadbolt and students from several Southland Catholic schools.

Boyle was the parish priest at St Mary's Basilica from 1972 until he became a bishop in 1983.

The mass began with a rendition of "Lift High The Cross," with accompaniment by organist Dr Raymond White. Later, soloist Rebecca Ryan sang part of "Pie Jesu" from Faure's Requiem.

In his homily Bishop Dennis Brown said Boyle's Southland charm had a way of rubbing off on others.

He said he fondly remembered the time Boyle patted Pope John Paul II on the back as a gesture of support.

"That made him eligible for excommunication, because he had struck the Holy Father," he joked.

"He was outstanding. A humble, beautiful man who had a deep appreciation for everybody."

Boyle's niece, Catherine Morrision, also spoke at the mass.

"He was a wonderful storyteller, and could captivate an audience," she said.

"He had a remarkable memory. He was so proud of being brought up in Nightcaps and Winton."

Following the service, students from Invercargill's Verdon College performed a haka outside the basilica.

Boyle's casket was then taken to the Ascot Park Hotel for a reception, and then to Wreys Bush Cemetery where he was buried next to other members of his family.

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• Image: stuff.co.nz

Boyle, who was the fifth bishop of the diocese of Dunedin, died on June 1.

A requiem mass - held at St Joseph Cathedral - featured Catholic bishops from around New Zealand.

The Deputy Prime Minister Bill English, the former Clutha-Southland MP, was also in attendance.

At his Requiem Mass, Bishop Colin Campbell, the present Bishop of Dunedin, told the parable of the prodigal son, one he said Bishop Boyle had chosen for the event.

The parable was a key to his life, and its teaching of repentance and the love of God was something he not only preached, but humbly lived by.

Another requiem took place in the Basilica in Invercargill on Thursday.

Bishop Boyle was buried at the Wreys Bush cemetery, just south of Nightcaps on Thursday afternoon.

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• odt.co.nz
• Image: Stuff.co.nz

The letter, titled, "Be Merciful", notes the interest in the jubilee Year of Mercy throughout the Catholic world.

The bishops state that "as a way of life, mercy directs our outlook and our expectations, reflecting a particular view of the world and other people".

The "merciful do not ignore or minimise wrong-doing".

Rather, the merciful "seek to understand before judging, and, wherever possible, are ready to excuse".

"The strength of gentleness empowers the merciful.

"The way of mercy flows from the sacred scriptures that tell of God's love for our world - a love revealed above all in the gift of Jesus who came not to condemn but to save, not to weigh down but to lift up and set free."

The bishops state that mercy is a personal choice, but it is not an easy one.

"I have to forgo my ‘right' to be annoyed, to be angry, to want revenge!

"Yet it is by letting go of these ‘rights' that we find true joyfulness in living.

"As this Holy Year of Mercy continues, we should each give ourselves generously to the sacrament of Reconciliation, seeing it as an opportunity for wholehearted thanksgiving no less than for sincere sorrow.

"This is not an encounter to be feared, but rather a home-coming to anticipate with joy.

"You will find a ready welcome from any priest you approach."

The bishops note that "the merciful are people in touch with their own weakness and therefore they do not expect perfection in others".

The bishops explain that being "merciful to me" is not a call to "go easy on me", "but rather a plea for help to become better, stronger, more capable of contributing to life".

The bishops encourage people to visit diocesan cathedrals with friends, family and other parishioners and to pass through the holy doors of mercy.

These doors "reveal a path to the risen, glorified Christ waiting to welcome you - whatever your failings - into the presence of love, the presence of mercy".

Sources

• Tauranga Catholic
• Image: Reconciliation.org