He puts his avoidance of black down to Josie, his cat.

Late Wednesday night, Pope Francis appointed the 55-year-old Laurenson (pictured) the new Catholic Bishop of Hamilton.

Trust is fundamental

Laurenson says he is looking forward to his new role with a mix of fear and peace. He is praying that he does not disappoint.

Since learning of his appointment, Laurenson says he moves between peace and terror but emphasises that trust in God is fundamental to his life.

However, because the future is known only to God, he acknowledges that putting his trust in God is not always as easy as we sometimes make it sound, saying that it requires an ongoing commitment on his part.

"I find it hard to believe that the Lord wants me to do this," he says

"Trust is an easy word but difficult to live.

"I pray that I do not disappoint him too much."

Locally born

Born in 1968 in Hamilton, Laurenson was only 12 when the Diocese of Hamilton was established.

Now, the Bishop-elect will be the fourth Bishop of Hamilton - and the first of its bishops born within the diocesan area.

And, coming from within the diocese, he has some advantages. For example, he has an excellent working knowledge of the diocese, knows the clergy and, having served in several parishes, knows many people.

He is also the current Hamilton diocese Chancellor, Vicar for Marriage, a member of the College of Consultors and, since 2019, Defender of the Bond at the Tribunal of the Catholic Church in New Zealand. He was a judge and associate judicial vicar from 2016 to 2019.

Laurenson's appointment reverses a recent trend in New Zealand dioceses to have bishops appointed from outside the diocese where they serve as priests. Until Laurenson's appointment, Dunedin bishop Michael Dooley was the only bishop appointed from within a diocese.

The new role

Laurenson begs the indulgence of the people and his brother priests as he adjusts to his new situation.

It is too early to make pronouncements about what the diocese needs to do once the ‘dust settles' he says.

Currently, his thinking is about four areas:

• The RCIA and RCIC
• The promotion of good and Godly liturgy
• Calling young men to a life of brave adventure - priestly vocations
• Good parish-based Catechesis for adult Catholics

New Catholic Bishop of Hamilton - Richard Laurenson

Snapshot CV

Laurenson has served in many parishes in the Hamilton diocese and is currently parish priest at All Saints by the Sea, Papamoa.

As well as many of his diocesan appointments, for more than a decade, Laurenson served as a military chaplain who, for a time, worked alongside peacekeeping forces in Bougainville and Timor Leste.

Laurenson attended Holy Cross Seminary in Mosgiel and has a Baccalaureate in Theology from Otago University (1992). From 2007 to 2010, Laurenson studied for and obtained a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome.

Ordination scheduled

Bishop-elect Laurenson is expected to be ordained on Friday 8 December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, at a time still to be determined.

His appointment fills the vacancy that occurred after Hamilton's former bishop, Stephen Lowe, was appointed Bishop of Auckland in December 2021.

With Laurenson's appointment, all New Zealand dioceses have a bishop for the first time in more than four years.

Source

• New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference
• CathNews NZ

In a statement on the End of Life Choice Act, Seymour singled out New Zealand's Catholic Bishops and told them they needed to follow the ninth commandment and to 'stop bearing false witness against their neighbours in political debates".

Suggesting a view in a public debate which is different to his is a false witness, (a lie), Seymour's statement threatens, "If the Bishops want their freedoms respected, they need to engage in honest debate that respects others have difference [sic] choices from theirs."

Seymour's comments come after 37 of New Zealand's most prominent religious leaders, including the New Zealand Catholic Bishops say New Zealanders need to be aware of the considerable harm that the End of Life Choice Act could do.

The statement is authorised by Archbishop Philip Richardson, Primate, Senior Bishop of the New Zealand Pakeha Diocese and Bishop of Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki.

The leaders say that in their caring roles they come face to face with people who are dying and their families, and they understand how vulnerable people are at the end of their life.

"Our concerns are about the unintended consequences for the most vulnerable", the religious leaders say in the statement.

They say their communities include lawyers who think the End of Life Choice Act is badly-drafted law and that it lacks critical safeguards present in similar overseas laws.

They also say they have listened to the concerns of doctors who work on the front line of end-of-life care.

"Our opposition to this Act reflects our compassion for those who will experience a wrongful premature death because of the dangers of this Act; in particular those who will feel coerced into an early death, whether because of their own feelings of being a burden or because of overt pressure from others", the leaders say.

The religious leaders point out that the referendum is a binding referendum, meaning the Act will be enacted in its current form and cannot be changed.

The leader's statement reads

At the upcoming general election, you will be asked to vote in a binding referendum on the End of Life Choice Act, 2019.

We the undersigned religious leaders, wish to share with you our grave concerns about the final form of this Act.

We speak out of our extensive experience of caring for the dying.

We know the effectiveness of compassionate end of life palliative care - care that is able to address not just the physical suffering of people who are dying, but also their emotional, spiritual and psychological suffering, as well as that of whanau and friends.

Medical practices that are part of good end-of-life care - ceasing treatment, Do Not Resuscitate Orders, Advanced Care Directives and turning off life support - are already legal and part of our health care choices and are not part of this proposed law.

The referendum question is not about the desirability of some form of ‘assisted dying'. Rather, we are being asked to vote on a specific piece of legislation - the End of Life Choice Act. The key consideration for all of us is the robustness and safety of this Act. Our concerns are about the lack of safeguards in the Act and the dangers it would present.

We note that the Act differs in the quality of its processes and safeguards from other laws overseas:

• The Act is not just designed for a small number of hard cases. It is broader than laws in Victoria and the United States because it allows both assisted suicide and euthanasia.
• This is not an Act of ‘last resort' - there is no requirement to try effective treatments or palliative care. There is also no corresponding right in the proposed law for people to access palliative care.
• People will be able to access an assisted death without being in any physical pain. Overseas statistics show people choose assisted death primarily out of a fear of being a burden and/or being disabled.
• The Act does not require a patient to discuss their decision with a family member or other significant person. All eligible persons, 18 years and over, could choose an assisted death without family knowing.
• There is no mandatory psychological assessment or effective screening for depression. Research shows that requests for an assisted death are commonly influenced by depression, something that is extremely difficult to detect and often mistaken for ‘appropriate sadness'.
• The NZ Medical Association and Hospice NZ, who oppose the Act,3 share concerns that it lacks processes enabling clinicians to be confident a person is making their request free of pressure from others.
• The two doctor ‘safeguard' is weak; neither of the doctors needs to have met the person previously.
• There is no mandatory stand-down period as there is in other countries - under the Act, a person could be dead less than 4 days after diagnosis.
• Unlike laws overseas, there is no requirement for independent observers or witnesses at any stage.
• The Act does not require a person to be assessed for competency at the time when the lethal dose is being administered, as is the case with laws overseas.

The referendum is binding, meaning the Act cannot be changed - it will be enacted in its current form.

We are also concerned that the practice of assisted suicide and euthanasia will become normalised over time, leading to a broadening of the criteria for eligibility as seen overseas.

There is also evidence showing that people choose assisted death because of a lack of adequate care options. There is a risk this will also happen in New Zealand, especially because effective palliative care is not yet universally available to all.

We acknowledge the importance of exercising freedom of choice.

At the same time, there is a need to balance individual choice with the common good of society. On balance, we believe that the significant weaknesses and dangers of the Act strongly outweigh the benefits that supporters of euthanasia seek.

• Archbishop Philip Richardson - Primate, Senior Bishop of the New Zealand Pakeha Diocese and Bishop of Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki
• Bishop Jay Behan - Church of Confessing Anglicans, Aotearoa New Zealand
• Pastor Steve Burgess - Regional Director, C3 Church Pacific
• Commissioner Mark Campbell - Territorial Commander, Salvation Army, New Zealand Territory
• Bishop Patrick Dunn - President of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference; Catholic Diocese of Auckland
• Dr Mustafa Farouk QSM - President, The Federation of Islamic Associations of NZ (FIANZ)
• Rev Tavita Joseph Filemoni - General Secretary, Wesleyan Samoan Methodist Church of New Zealand and Australia
• Charles Hewlett - National Leader of the Baptist Churches of New Zealand
• Rev Brett Jones - National Superintendent (Acting), Wesleyan Methodist Church of New Zealand
• Right Reverend Fakaofo Kaio - Moderator, The Presbyterian Church in New Zealand
• Metropolitan Myron - New Zealand Greek Orthodox Church
• Rev Dr Stuart Lange - National Director, New Zealand Christian Network
• Pastor David MacGregor - National Director, Vineyard Church Christchurch
• Rev Andrew Marshall - National Director, Alliance Churches of New Zealand
• Pastor Peter Morlock - Senior Pastor, City Impact Churches of New Zealand
• Archbishop Don Tamihere - Primate, Pihopa o Aotearoa and Pihopa o Te Tairawhiti
• Rev Setaita Taumoepeau K. Viekune - President, Methodist Church of New Zealand
• Pastor Adam White - Leader, New Life Churches of New Zealand
• Bishop Mark Whitfield - Lutheran Church of New Zealand
• Bishop Ross Bay - Anglican Diocese of Auckland
• Bishop Steven Benford - Anglican Diocese of Dunedin
• Bishop Peter Carrel - Anglican Diocese of Christchurch
• Cardinal John Dew - Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington
• Bishop Michael Dooley - Catholic Diocese of Dunedin
• Bishop Justin Duckworth - Anglican Diocese of Wellington
• Pastor Max Faletutulu - Senior Pastor, Titahi Bay Community Church, Wellington
• Bishop Michel Gielen - Catholic Diocese of Auckland - Auxiliary
• Bishop Andrew Henge - Anglican Diocese of Waiapu
• Bishop Stephen Lowe - Catholic Diocese of Hamilton
• Bishop Steve Maina - Anglican Diocese of Nelson
• Pastor Kaio Mamea - Light of All Nations Church, Wellington
• Bishop Paul Martin SM - Catholic Diocese of Christchurch
• Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahu - Pihopatanga o Te Taitokerau
• Bishop Waitohiariki Quayle - Pihopatanga o Te Upoko o Te Ika
• Rt Revd Dr Eleanor Sanderson - Assistant Anglican Bishop of Wellington
• Bishop Richard Wallace - Pihopatanga o Te Waipounamu
• Rev Brian Walsh - Local Administrator, Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North.

Sources

• ACT New Zealand
• Religious leaders' statement

They make those calls in their 2020 Election Statement-Whakapuaki Poti 2020, which also urges people to consider the poor and vulnerable when voting.

The bishops' statement expressly says it is not the bishops' role to tell people who to vote for.

It is published in Maori and English throughout.

What kind of a nation do we want?

"We hope and work for a nation that looks to ensure the sanctity and wellbeing of whanau; that ensures families have time to spend with each other; that supports all families to access the basic human needs of food, clothing, housing, education and healthcare," the bishops say.

"Rather than thinking about what will benefit each of us personally regarding the election and referendum choices we face, we ask you to pray and discern what will protect the poor and vulnerable and what will uphold the dignity of creation so that we create a connected future for all, without discarding any of us."

Euthanasia

Urging a "no" vote in the End of Life Choice Act referendum, the bishops say the demand for euthanasia is driven not by pain but by personal and emotional factors such as fear of being a burden or being disabled, fears that reflect negative attitudes towards the elderly and disabled that run deep in society.

They note that key medical groups, including the Medical Association, oppose the End of Life Choice Act and criticise the act for not requiring that people first access palliative care when that is available.

Cannabis

On the recreational cannabis referendum, the bishops say as proprietors of many of the country's 237 Catholic schools with 66,000 students, they are keenly aware that rangatahi are the group most vulnerable to the adverse effects of cannabis.

"We think people do need to give serious thoughts to the issue, and we hope you will use your vote in a way that considers the impact of legalised recreational cannabis on the young and vulnerable in our communities."

Click here for the full 2020 Election Statement-Whakapuaki Poti 2020 in PDF format.

Source

Supplied

The New Zealand Catholic bishops' Nathaniel Centre for Bioethics is providing a series of weekly briefs for parish newsletters.

The first brief says:

The End of Life Choice Act is not an option of 'last resort.'

• It will not just apply to the 'exceptionally difficult cases'.
• It does not require that a person first make use of available treatments or counselling, nor that they first receive palliative care.
• A person does not need to be in physical pain.

If euthanasia becomes legal in NZ, people will access it because they think they lack other choices.

• Even though quality palliative care is effective, there is no corresponding legal right to access palliative care.
• Under current law, people can already say 'no' to treatments and can receive whatever level of pain relief they need. These days, no-one need die in pain.

The EOLC Act is badly drafted and seriously flawed. Whatever one's views about the idea of euthanasia, it is not 'compassion' to vote for a dangerous law.

See also:

• Risky Laws
• Vote Safe

Authorised by John Kleinsman, 15 Guildford Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington

The latest issue of the Nathaniel Centre Report is also available online.

It has articles that include scrutiny of the euthanasia and cannabis referendums.

Click here to read Nathaniel Centre Report 61 in PDF format.

Meanwhile in Australia several states are also debating whether to legalise euthanasia.

The state of Victoria, where voluntary assisted dying (VAD) was legalised a year ago, has reported more than ten times the anticipated number of deaths.

Victoria's Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board reported 124 deaths by assisted suicide and euthanasia during its first year.

Source

• catholic.org.nz
• catholic.org.nz
• thetablet.co.uk
• Image: 3.bp.blogspot.com

The pope normally celebrates Mass in Italian.

The approved Italian translation from Latin of the new Roman Missal comes nine years after the English version was controversially released.

The English translation of the missal, uses the phrase "for many," suggesting, on the face of it, Jesus did not shed his blood for all.

The change of just two words in the Italian translation is a hallmark of Francis' papacy according to Christopher Lamb, the Rome Correspondent for The Tablet.

In 2006, Rome ruled that "pro multis" should be translated as "for many" with Benedict XVI insistent on this point, however the Italian bishops held out, resisting Rome and voted overwhelmingly to keep the "for all" phrase.

The consistent theme of the Francis pontificate is that God's mercy is all-embracing, and the Church is a field hospital welcoming all sinners. No one is excluded, says Lamb.

"Although a less literal translation of the Latin, the phrase 'for all' better reflects the teaching that Christ's sacrifice was for the whole of humanity, and is in keeping with Vatican II.

"As the old Latin motto explains: lex orandi, lex credendi. The rule of prayer is the rule of belief," comments Lamb.

Bishop Claudio Maniago, president of the Italian bishops' liturgy commission, said the commission worked hard to remain faithful to the Latin text.

There was "also, and most of all, an effort to render the text as usable as possible and, so, also make it an instrument of growth for the Italian church," he said.

Admitting there were also some changes to the Our Father and Gloria, Maniago said the bishops worked hard to keep changes to the people's prayers to a minimum.

He said the differences in the Italian translation have been thoroughly discussed with the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments.

This is the same body the English translation was discussed with.

Controversy and confusion

Controversy surrounded the 2011 release of the English translation, some calling it "wooden", "archaic" and "inflated".

Others accused the translators of producing convoluted syntax.

In 2015, Emeritus Bishop of Palmerston North, Peter Cullinane, called for an overhaul of the new English Missal.

Cullinane told the London Tablet the translation was clunky, awkward and a too literal translation of the Latin original.

In 2017 the New Zealand Bishops' Conference responded to widespread criticism of the translation saying it hoped for liturgical texts that are both accurate and that speak to the heart.

Later in 2017, in "Magnum Principium" Francis removed the requirement that Rome authorise every aspect of translations; instead, its role is to review translations that have been commissioned and approved by the bishops' conference.

Removing Rome's authorisation mandate is consistent with Francis "manifesto" document number 32 in Evangelii Gaudium, where he writes "Excessive centralisation complicates the Church's life and her missionary outreach."

"When it comes to the wordings of prayers, it is the bishops on the ground, not curial officials in Rome, who are the best judges of what is going to most effectively aid evangelisation," explains Lamb.

Twenty years after the work of the Italian translation began and ten years after the English edition was released, priests in Italy will use the new Italian translation from Easter 2021.

Sources

• The Boston Pilot
• CathNews NZ

They say they are seriously concerned about claims they are urging Catholics to vote for the party.

The bishops have reported the false statement to the Electoral Commission and told all parishes and the New Conservative Party that it is fake news.

The Catholic Bishops of Aotearoa New Zealand have not endorsed and will not endorse any political party said Cardinal John Dew who is Metropolitan Archbishop of Wellington and ice-president of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference.

"We are in the final stages of preparing our triennial Election Statement for distribution," said Cardinal Dew.

"Our Election Statement will specifically say that it is not our role as bishops to tell people who to vote for."

Dew said that all claims in the circulating statement are false.

"I am particularly concerned that this false statement purports to say some of these fabrications were made in the name of an employee of a Church entity who is named in the document. That is truly appalling.

We have been told by a representative of the New Conservative Party that they do not know who is behind the false statement, and we accept that," Dew said.

The fake news post attacked Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for being a "deliberately unmarried mother," claimed the church did not believe the science on climate change and opposed the UN Global Pact for Migration.

The Catholic Church believes that people have the right to migrate and supports refugee efforts.

Pope Francis has repeatedly called for stronger efforts in the fight against climate change, and the Auckland Diocese formally supported the Zero Carbon Act.

The church has never made any statement on the Prime Minister's relationship status.

Source

• catholic.org.nz
• stuff.co.nz
• Image: tvnz.co.nz

"This means there will be no Masses this weekend, and the dispensation from the Sunday obligation is in place."

The dispensation also applies to the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is a Holy Day of Obligation and falls on Saturday.

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops have written a letter to priests and parish leaders about the increased COVID-19 alert levels which came into effect at midday on Wednesday 12 August. The situation is to be reviewed on Friday.

Auckland has been put on Alert Level 3. The rest of New Zealand is at less restricting Alert Level 2.

The letter reminds people of the restrictions that apply at each of the alert levels.

"This letter assumes they [ the alert levels] will continue at least until next week.

We will provide additional updates as needed."

The bishops note that parts of the country could be returned to Alert Level 1 at midnight on Friday.

Should this occur, they have left the decision about Mass and communion restrictions to the diocese or parish so long as the Ministry of Health guidelines are met.

They note that the Government could change the existing guidelines.

In Auckland where Alert Level 3 has been enforced Bishop Patrick Dunn has chosen to take a "wait and see" approach.

In a post on his Facebook Page Dunn said: "We are not sure what this will mean for our weekend Masses as there is the possibility that this period of Level 3 restrictions could be extended if community tracing has not been successful.

However, we are hopeful that things will return to normal after Friday, and that our weekend Masses will be on.

I will keep you all updated as we get more clarity in the coming days."

The Christchurch diocese envisages that weekday and Sunday Mass will be offered subject to the ability of parishes to accommodate the conditions of the alert level existing at that particular time.

Source

• facebook.com
• catholic.org.
• Supplied
• chchcatholic.nz
• Image: newshub.co.nz

Last week, the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith published Vademecum ("Handbook") a 17-page step-by-step-guide to help bishops and other Church religious administrators handle accusations of abuse by clerics against minors.

Complaints of abuse in the New Zealand Catholic Church are handled under the A Path to Healing, Te Houhanga Rongo protocols, introduced by the bishops in 1993 and updated several times since.

The Church urges victims of abuse past and present to complain to the Police or, if victims prefer, to the Church's National Office for Professional Standards (NOPS), which can appoint independent investigators to examine complaints.

Cardinal John Dew, the Archbishop of Wellington and Metropolitan Archbishop of New Zealand, said he and his fellow bishops would look at the Vademecum guidelines closely and discuss them at their next full Conference meeting, in September.

"It is a complex document," said Cardinal Dew. "We will be looking carefully to see where it fits in with the civil and criminal law of New Zealand.

"The bishops believe that every person has an innate human dignity - te tapu o te tangata - and therefore all forms of abuse are unacceptable and indefensible."

Cardinal Dew said NOPS was also reviewing the Vademecum document to identify if changes may be needed in A Path to Healing.

Click here for further information about Vademecum and to read the document.

Prof. Myriam Wijlens, a canon lawyer and member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, has hailed the new Vademecum on procedures regarding cases of sexual abuse of minors, calling it a major step forward in seeking justice and truth.

Source

• Supplied: David McLoughlin
  Communications Adviser, NZ Catholic Bishops
  Te Huinga o ngâ Pîhopa Katorika o Aotearoa
• vaticannews.va
• rnz.co.nz
• Image: facebook.com

They noted there were differences between some dioceses and even between some churches - for example, some churches allowed Communion from the Chalice, others did not.

So they decided there was no need to issue any formal advice or pastoral comment on how churches should operate under Covid-19 Alert Level 1.

They thought that such matters were rightly for local people to decide.

"You can do what you are comfortable with at a local level," was the consensus comment.

With the move to Alert Level 1, which began at midnight last Monday all the limits on freedoms introduced to combat Covid-19 were lifted - except the restrictions on overseas travel.

All the Government asks is that businesses and services visited by the public provide a way for those visitors to record their movements.

The Government will continue working with sector groups, businesses, hospitality firms, churches, schools and others to encourage them to display QR codes via posters at the entrance of their premises.

"You can do and go wherever you like, we just ask you keep a record of where you have been by scanning in - or noting down your movements for yourself," said the prime minister Jacinda Ardern.

She also said, " We're still being encouraged to social distance of course, so we hope people will be sensible."

So now there are no restrictions on "public gatherings" including church services, weddings, baptisms and funerals.

This means the number of people attending Mass is not limited, for example, and there are no official requirements for such measures as social distancing.

Many parishes and people have been reflecting on the impact of the Covid-19 Lockdown on themselves and the wider community, the Bishops also noted.

"Churches and parishes are reopening and thinking of the future. We encourage that and want to foster it throughout the Church," they said.

Source

• Supplied David McLoughlin
  Communications Adviser, NZ Catholic Bishops
  Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa
• stuff.co.nz
• bbc.com
• Image: hastingscatholic.org.nz

Following the prime minister's announcement Mass - restricted to 100 people - is able to resume from this Friday at noon.

On Monday night Steve Lowe, Bishop of Hamilton and New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference Secretary, said the bishops will issue a Pastoral Letter on Tuesday.

He said each parish will decide what is manageable and safe for their community including whether any particular weekday or Sunday Mass resumes.

The guidelines for the reception of Holy Communion and health practices during a pandemic remain in place.

Lowe said not all parishioners will be able to attend Mass because of the restrictions of numbers.

Others will not attend due to health reasons, concerns or fears. For these reasons, the dispensation of attendance at Sunday Mass continues.

Live-streamed Masses will continue to be offered for these people.

Last week the New Zealand Catholic Bishops wrote to the Prime Minister urging the Cabinet to raise the limit on numbers allowed at religious services to at least 100.

Their strongly-worded letter followed the New Zealand Police issuing guidelines saying religious services are allowed under COVID-19 Alert Level 2 as long as people sit in multiple groups of ten.

The limit has now been raised but the other guidelines for gatherings at Alert Level 2 remain in force.

Uncertainty remains about what these guidelines are.

Official COVID-19 website, which has not been updated since Monday's press conference, states that all public venues:

• Must keep high hygiene standards
• Must keep records to enable contact tracing and manage their numbers to ensure that:
• Every individual or group of 10 is kept 1 metre apart
• No group has more than 10 people.

According to the most recent police guidelines issued on 22 May:

If everyone kept 2m apart at any religious service it would not be a gathering.

If that is not the case:

• People must keep 2m apart but family or whanau who reside together in their household may remain within 2 metres of each other.
• If the venue size allows, multiple groups of 10 can be present so long as each group remained two metres apart. This rule does not apply to funerals and tangihanga.
• Appropriate contact tracing needs to be kept except for gatherings of friends and whanau
• People must comply at all times with the distancing restrictions and cannot, for example, mingle more widely at the end of a service.

Source

• nzherald.co.nz
• catholic.org.nz
• stuff.co.nz
• rnz.co.nz
• nzherald.co.nz
• Image: screenshot oklahoman.com

The bishops believe that each parish will need its own approach to ensure continued the safety of both the priests and the parishioners.

What CONVID-19 Alert Level Two will allow

• Churches may be open, and Mass may be celebrated, but with no more than 100 people present.
• Those attending will generally need to be seated a metre apart (families from the same "bubble" will likely be an exception).
• Records will be needed of each person attending, for possible future contact tracing.
• Strict hygiene measures will be needed.
• Weddings and funerals will be allowed in churches, again with a limit of 100 people present.
• Priests will be able to visit parishioners in their homes to administer the Sacraments and for such other spiritual purposes as sought.

The bishops and the National Liturgy Office are giving urgent consideration as to how Holy Communion should be distributed.

For now, the provisions of their 13 March advice also remain in place: they included:

• No holy water in fonts;
• No physical contact during the sign of peace; and
• Communion under one kind and only on the hand.

The Bishops are looking at these and other issues urgently and with diligence, and intend to provide substantial further guidance early next week.

In their letter, the bishops quote Pope Francis saying that "the time is ripe for "new imagination" allowing the "breath of the Spirit" to open new horizons.

"We know you will apply your wonderful dedication and creativity to how we operate under Alert Level Two, as you have during this crisis to date and do in all matters of your parish."

• Read the Bishops' letter in full
• Read the Ministry of Health's Alert Level Two rules relevant to churches
• Read the Ministry of Health document published on 7 May 2020 in full

Source

• Supplied: David McLoughlin
  Communications Adviser, NZ Catholic Bishops
  Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa
• Image: rnz.co.nz

They hope and pray that post lockdown people will work together to build a better church and a better community.

"People have enjoyed this slowing time. People have noticed families doing things together."

"The world has become quieter and we have noticed the beauty of nature."

"This time has proved to be a reflective time enabling us to refocus or revision ourselves and how we live."

They acknowledge that the future, for many, appears uncertain or even dire.

But, "In the meantime, we are continuing to have the tomb experience of being locked down at home and we know, for many families, that this situation is becoming difficult and stressful."

The bishops say that this Easter, with Jesus, we have been offered the opportunity to die to self and rise again to a new beginning."

• When we leave the tomb of lockdown, we will work together as a community to build a better Church and society
• We will all be stronger in our relationships with one another and in our appreciation of the gift of life.
• For a society that is not driven by profiteering but works for the common good as we together rebuild our nation's economy
• That we will be a society that is more aware of the tangible presence of God who journeys with us on the paths of life.
• That the Church will be more ardent in our faith, hope, love and service.

Read the Bishops Pastoral Letter

Source

• Supplied: David McLoughlin
  Communications Adviser, NZ Catholic Bishops
  Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa
• Image: voanews.com

"In these days, in Jesus, God is coming to us, seeking to encounter us in the confines of our own homes," said the Catholic Bishops of New Zealand in their recent pastoral letter.

"Before the arrival of the first priests in Aotearoa in 1838, Catholic faith was growing in New Zealand with families and small communities of Catholics living with the strong desire for the sacraments of Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, and Anointing that they were not yet able to celebrate," said the bishops.

"Even following the arrival of priests many of our Catholic ancestors still found themselves unable to participate in the Mass because of distance".

"But they embraced the mission of forming their families in faith with daily prayer together and ensuring that the scriptures and the lives of the saints were read for personal formation and shared with their children."

God always provides for his people.

In their letter, the bishops say that while the sacraments are the primary communicators of the life of God within the Church, they are not the origin of grace, nor do they have a monopoly on it.

"God is the origin of all grace and God freely chooses to reward virtue, good intentions and actions."

They suggest a number of ways in which people can have access to the grace of God if the sacraments are not available

Plenary Indulgences

"The healing and grace of these sacraments and more is still available to you, directly and without the sacraments through a plenary indulgence."

This is the beauty of what was offered throughout history by Indulgences before our understanding of these communicators of grace was corrupted by misuse."

Click here to read a detailed examination on how you might receive these graces.

Home prayer and streaming

"In these days we hear that many of you are praying more regularly in your homes using every means of support available, especially online streaming of the Mass and the Stations of the Cross, reading the scriptures privately or with your families and praying the Rosary and other devotional prayers."

Stay home

Finally, we must remind you, please stay true to the spirit and the letter of the restrictions. Unless you work in an essential industry or need to visit a supermarket, a doctor or a chemist, do NOT break this lockdown. Stay in your own household. Do not let visitors enter."

Read the pastoral letter

Source

• Supplied: catholic.org.nz
• Image: etsy.com

He said there is a need to be pastorally close to the sick person and their family but not risk further virus transmission.

"The regulations around movement are to absolutely minimise the possibility of community transmission of the Covid-19 virus."

"For the common good, therefore, we must follow those instructions to not create a greater evil."

If someone needs pastoral care priests can be contacted by phone through their normal numbers.

Visits to the sick and housebound

If a priest is called to attend to the sick at home, this must be done by phone or electronic means such as video call rather than by home visit.

Pastoral teams will make arrangements to ensure that those who are sick or housebound receive spiritual care.

They will also keep in contact with those who are in self-isolation, and people should advise them if they are in this situation.

Communion to the sick who are not in danger of death is suspended.

For the critically ill at home, the normal process for contacting a priest in the area should be followed.

Most hospitals are in lockdown so access by a priest may be difficult but this situation will be managed by the Hospital Chaplaincy team and the hospital.

Priests who are on hospital duty will be specially trained for the new situation.

Priests who are not hospital chaplains cannot go to the hospitals automatically to visit parishioners.

Apart from the current travel restrictions, all access to hospitals is restricted.

Anointing

As far as the anointing of the sick goes Dew said "Technically it is the words and the oil, not the anointing touch that is the matter and form of the sacrament."

However, the risk of transmitting the virus by the proximity of the anointer and anointed (closer than one metre) means this is outside the regulations for social/physical distancing.

In the hospital setting, the ecumenical nature of the chaplaincy set-up means that a request from Catholics can be responded to.

Funerals

No funerals are being celebrated. Funeral directors have advised that families have the choice of immediate cremation or burial, or putting bodies in their mortuary facilities.

Families should contact a priest for support using the normal contact details in parishes.

Marriages

Marriages and marriage preparation courses are suspended.

Parish activities

All parish gatherings are suspended. This includes meetings; sacramental programmes; the conferring of First Holy Communion, First Reconciliation and Confirmation; Lent programmes; RCIA programmes; and the Second Rite of Reconciliation. Contact the parish about Reconciliation.

Parish Offices

Parish offices are closed but may be accessible through phone and email systems. There will be a way to contact a priest.

Buildings, not the community closed

The bishop of Auckland, Patrick Dunn said the buildings are closed but not the living church.

He encouraged people to let their parish priest know about people who are struggling.

"Regional St Vincent de Paul and the Catholic Caring Foundation are able to access resources and have the travel permissions that enable them to provide sustenance and care."

Dunn said the phone ministry is the new normal.

"Even if a few minutes of 'How are you?' What are you up to? You are not alone.'"

Source

• catholic.org.nz
• wn.catholic.org.nz
• aucklandcatholic.org.nz
• Image: Screenshot

The document is titled He Anga Whakamarama - Te Matauranga Hokakatanga: He puka arahi ma nga hapori Katorika o Aotearoa (Framing Document - Human Sexuality Education: A guide for Catholic communities in Aotearoa New Zealand).

It examines the Catholic Church's understanding of human sexuality and the reasons why it is an essential area for exploration and teaching within Catholic schools and communities.

"The Framing Document offers both the foundations for why we should teach about human sexuality as well as practical guidance for what should be taught, how and by whom at appropriate ages," says Colin MacLeod Director of the National Centre for Religious Studies.

"It also places this rich Catholic teaching in the context of Aotearoa."

In his forward Bishop Patrick Dunn says: "He Anga Whakamarama, Te Matauranga Hokakatanga: He puka arahi ma nga hapori Katorika o Aotearoa provides a considerable level of detail and thoughtfulness to support human sexuality education in Aotearoa."

"It is grounded in rich Catholic understanding and gives practical and constructive guidance for educators working in this field, particularly for those in Catholic schools".

"The Catholic Bishops of Aotearoa New Zealand wish to commend this document as a guide for human sexuality education in this land, and to assure educators and whanau of their prayerful support."

Macleod says the National Centre for Religious Studies believes that the document will be a significant reference, particularly for Catholic schools, and a resource for broader dialogue about this wonderful area in the development of the human person.

Click here to read He Anga Whakamarama - Te Matauranga Hokakatanga: He puka arahi ma nga hapori Katorika o Aotearoa

Source:

• Supplied: David McLoughlin
  Communications Adviser, NZ Catholic Bishops
  Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa
• Image: screenshot faithcentral

Our prayers are for those whose lives have been lost, and for the injured, conscious that their injuries are of a most serious and painful nature.

We cannot begin to imagine the grief and distress that they and their families and friends will be experiencing at this time and our hearts go out to them.

We offer our heartfelt and prayerful thoughts to everyone affected by this disaster, our own people, tourists, visitors from Australia and several other countries.

We give thanks to God for the generous assistance of the people who have assisted and aided the injured, especially those who took grave risks to rescue them, and for the support and care that is being given to their grieving families.

From Bishop Patrick Dunn, Catholic Bishop of Auckland and President of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference

Source

Supplied: David McLoughlin
Communications Adviser, NZ Catholic Bishops
Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa

Acerbi's diplomatic career included being held hostage by guerillas in Colombia and becoming the first nuncio to Hungary after the end of communism.

Now 94, Acerbi is retired and lives in the Vatican in the Casa Santa Marta guest house, the home of Pope Francis and where the New Zealand bishops are staying during their Ad Limina.

The archbishop's very first appointment as Apostolic Nuncio was to New Zealand and the Pacific from 1974 to 1979.

Hamilton Bishop Stephen Lowe says Archbishop Acerbi enjoys good health and maintains a fantastic memory.

"He has enjoyed connecting with us during our visit," said Lowe.

"As bishops, we have often commented about the loneliness of the life of a nuncio, but Acerbi has a wealth of stories of encounters in New Zealand and the Pacific with clergy, religious and laypeople."

Italian-born Acerbi was ordained in 1948, so this is his 71st year ordained.

His Wellington-based nuncio appointment was followed by others in Colombia, Hungary, Moldova and the Netherlands.

In 1980 he was held hostage with 26 other diplomats for several weeks in Bogotá, Colombia, after an assault by the M-19 urban guerilla group on the Embassy of the Dominican Republic.

His appointment to Hungary in 1990 after the end of communism was significant because there had been no apostolic nuncio to that country since the communist takeover in 1945.

"He still has an active interest in our region and the life of the Church and society in our part of the world," said Lowe.

"He clearly has a beautiful faith and love that reflects a life of faithful service of the Lord and his Church. His presence has been one of the unexpected joys of these days in Rome."

Photo caption: from left Bishop Paul Martin SM (Christchurch), Bishop Patrick Dunn (Auckland), Cardinal John Dew (Wellington) Archbishop Angelo Acerbi, Bishop Stephen Lowe (Hamilton) and Bishop Michael Dooley (Dunedin).

Source
Supplied. David McLoughlin
Communications Adviser, NZ Catholic Bishops
Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa

Pope Francis told the bishops to raise any topic and be free with their comments, said Bishop Stephen Lowe of Hamilton, secretary of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference.

The bishops and the Pope discussed the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in Care, which began public hearings today. "We briefed Pope Francis on this and he underlined the importance of the Church being fully engaged in the dialogue with the royal commission," Bishop Lowe said.

Pope Francis showed particular interest in the people of Christchurch following the March 15 mosque attacks and the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. He also reflected on his meeting the Maori King, Te Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa Tuheitia, in Rome last May, commenting on the King's humility.

"The Holy Father has a particular love for young people, and he stressed the need for the Church not to be afraid to meet young people in the midst of 'their world' and not to be scandalised by 'their world' or the questions they ask of the Church, " said Bishop Lowe. "In the same way, he encouraged young people to be open to the search for the transcendent in the world.

The Holy Father himself is a fine example of this, waking each morning at 4.00 am to begin the day with some hours of prayer."

The bishops were very impressed with the Pope's pastoral sensitivity and his insights into the challenges faced in evangelising and presenting the Church in a secular age and culture. He was also very interested in how parishes are changing to become more missionary.

"The Holy Father also reflected on the Amazonian Synod. He also shared his frustration of how peripheral issues often dominate and distract reporting on key issues that he wants to engage with."

Ad Limina Apostolorum (to the threshold of the apostles) visits are traditional visits made by Catholic bishops to Rome. The last ad limina by New Zealand bishops was in 2011, when Benedict XVI was Pope.

Source

Supplied: David McLoughlin
Communications Adviser, NZ Catholic Bishops: Te huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa

Newly appointed Administrator, Kate, comes to the organisation after several years volunteering with her local Wellington Catholic primary school, having been at home with her daughter. Previously she held a support role with JP Morgan in Manila. She is warmly welcomed for the assistance she will offer the Secretariat.

David takes up the role of NZCBC Communications Adviser, bringing solid experience in all aspects of communications across a range of sectors, including international and national government agencies, media advisory and journalism.

The role of Communications Adviser is a wide one, engaging with the Catholic community and the New Zealand public and media.

Source

catholic.org.nz

The position is permanent and part-time with the number of hours to be negotiated with the successful candidate. The minimum number being 10 hours per week.

The administrative assistant will report to the acting liturgy director.

The assistant works under the guidance of the acting director to provide administrative and staffing support to the National Liturgy Office to ensure this office effectively delivers on its mandate.

Core services (eg financial management) are provided for the National Liturgy Office by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference Secretariat.

Click here to read the job description.

Supplied