The claim was made by the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference on Facebook.

As their time in Rome was ending, Bishops Laurenson and Adams visited the Church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini.

The Church where the bishops had their photos taken is the one where Bishop Pompallier was ordained Bishop more than 180 years ago.

While Pompallier's link to New Zealand is not disputed, commenter Matthew Blair points out that the lineage link to Pompallier claimed by the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference is incorrect.

In reply to the Conference's claim, Blair acknowledges that Pompallier has a special place in our history but says that according to the Catholic Hierarchy, most, if not all, our current bishops trace their lineage through Cardinal McKeefry to Cardinal Gilroy of Sydney, then via several senior Italian cardinals to Pope Clement XIII.

According to Catholic Hierarchy, Pompallier did not even consecrate New Zealand's second bishop, Philippe Viard.

Archbishop Polding, the Archbishop of Sydney, consecrated Viard. Pompallier only co-consecrated Viard.

According to Catholic Hierarchy, Pompallier was not the principal consecrator of any other bishop.

Sources

• NZ Catholic Bishops Conference
• Catholic Hierarchy

Emphasising its importance, Lowe, President of the New Zealand Bishops Conference, describes the document as "another step towards the future".

"This working document is the product of the process of the Church listening to and hearing what the People of God have said", Lowe comments in a news release from the Church's communications office.

To help avoid confusion, Lowe clarifies that Synod's Working Document is not the final word but published by Synod Secretariat, it sets the agenda for the Synod.

• Synod Working Document - PDF
• Synod Working Document - ePUB

Supplied

The collated data from the diocesan Synod responses have been published for all to read.

After the New Zealand Catholic Bishop's Conference has prepared the synthesis of syntheses, all will be posted to Rome.

The can of worms has been opened. The reading is too serious to ignore.

In amongst the projections, conditions, expectations and sweeping generalisations, there wasn't much expression of joy or excitement.

There are many Catholics who have estranged themselves from worship because they have been hurt by the church or the church has failed to be a place of inclusivity and equality the Synod revealed.

Yet these groups and people have no idea the depths of pining felt by those who go to Sunday Eucharist for them to gather around the Altar.

Eucharist takes us into paradox: that through the liberation of the Cross, creation replaced destruction and goodness triumphed over evil.

Entering into the Redemptive mystery of Jesus's life, death and Resurrection offers us over and over again the hands of friendship to us. Too overwhelmingly marvellous to be true? - but it is true!

It's in eating and drinking together that life's messes and tragedies are made whole again. Grapes picked and crushed to become wine wheat thrashed to separate grains, ground to become bread; the body and blood of Christ. This is the exact place healing is offered.

The heartbreak is this: the very reconciliatory encounter offered in Eucharist is the very experience those who carry open wounds, distance themselves from.

In the worst of pain, there is hope for wholeness because life only rises from death. This is the ‘stuff' of Eucharist.

Jesus puts it this way. "Unload all your worries onto him, since he is looking after you." 1 Peter 5:7

Way down here on the ground of parish life, if we are to respond to the Synod findings, it would start with halting the blame game.

It's time for personal ownership.

The Dalai Lama says this:" When you think everything is someone else's fault, you will suffer a lot. When you realize that everything springs only from yourself, you will learn both peace and joy"

To blame is to remain held down by injury. It chews and churns away inside us keeping us a victim.

What's happened or failed to happen, can't be deleted, nor can we ‘put it behind us' or ‘get over it' or ‘get off the grass' or ‘you're still going on about it' type one-liners.

No, it's about confronting to integrate the incident to regain our power to be.

The Synod gave reason for any local parish faith community to ask of itself, what is my parish really like? Do we sincerely welcome someone new? Are the liturgies life giving, community vibrant and charisms galore identified and called from parishioners? Would I invite another to experience this body?

Everyone wants the other to change, but fewer want to change themselves.

Growth and maturity are in our hands. All of our hands.

Leadership models are critical to create vitalizing environments. Clericalism was sited throughout the Synod.

Ordained ministry continuing down through the ages from Jesus, was never meant to be referred to, or become a structure, or hierarchy, or self-governance, but service. Ministry - both ordained and lay is only about service.

St Peter had it figured out 2,000 years ago surprisingly.

"Never be a dictator over any group that is put in your charge, but be an example that the whole flock can follow." 1 Peter 5:3-4.

Once the Catholic Church was likened to a well-oiled mighty piece of machinery. Everyone knew their place to keep the machine ticking over. She had become so efficient She lost the point of being in the business of Jesus. Vatican 2 reclaimed this basic fact that Jesus is Lord, to quote biblical Lydia after she had listened to St Paul preach in her hometown. (Acts 16:14).

"Keep us from becoming a ‘museum church' beautiful but mute, with much past and little future" said Pope Francis in his homily on 10th October 2021 in Rome on the opening of the Synod.

• Sue Seconi - The Catholic Parish of Whanganui - Te Parihi Katorika Ki Whanganui

An unrealistic deadline for southern hemisphere countries who were enjoying a summer holiday saw Pope Francis extend the diocesan deadline by four months.

"A universal 4-month extension by the Vatican of the Diocesan phase was warmly welcomed," says the Wellington synthesis.

The synodal process was also hampered by repeated Covid-19 State lockdowns and a societal post-lockdown hesitancy to engage in in-person meetings.

Covid-19 "frustrated a number of respondents who felt constrained by the use of technological tools such as Zoom, believing that gathering digitally significantly reduced the spiritual nature of the process. For others this highlighted the lack of access to technological responses of certain communities," says the Auckland synthesis.

While some dioceses attempted to explain the demographic mix of individual participants, they universally remain unreported.

"The data is highly likely to be skewed," a statistician told CathNews.

"It's unclear exactly how many people participated in the overall process, what percentage of Catholics participated, who they ‘represented' and who was un-represented," she said.

The statistician said that skewed data does not invalidate the process, but it does need to be taken into consideration when examining outcomes.

By way of example, she cited an issue deliberately chosen because it is not mentioned in any of the syntheses; receiving Holy Communion on the tongue.

"Because the process is an all-comers model and not scientifically representative it is possible for the outcomes possibly to be sub-consciously hijacked," she said.

"For example, while those involved favoured Holy Communion on the tongue, the vast majority of those who were not involved are possibly happy with communion in the hand.

"There is really no way of knowing.

"Thankfully the Church is not a democracy, and theology, prayer, discernment and discussion are important parts of this process."

However, she warned that these sorts of meetings and processes can "create a world and an expectation that can't be sustained."

Emphasising the purpose of the synod is not to write documents, says the Secretary of the NZCBC, Bishop Steve Lowe. The Synod's purpose is to answer the question ‘how do we as a Church journey together?'

Following up the initial Diocesan phase, representatives from dioceses, parishes, schools, priests and religious orders will now attend a meeting at St Catherine's College, Kilbirnie, Wellington on Saturday 2 July, to discuss the feedback syntheses from the six dioceses.

The purpose of the St Catherine's College meeting is to prepare a national synthesis for the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops.

The General Secretariat establishes connections between various synodal assemblies around the world.

The 16th Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will conclude in October next year in Rome.

Selected bullet points from the Diocesan Syntheses

Wellington

• New models of leadership in dioceses
• Priest focus on sacraments, not management
• A married and celibate clergy
• Transparent involvement in the appointment of bishops
• Inclusion of women in ministry and decision making
• Liturgical reform - change the language of the liturgy
• Catechetical reform that is non-judgmental and inclusive, never moralistic
• Update sexual moral teaching in line with modern science and people's lived experience
• Welcoming intercommunion between Christians
• Welcoming of LGBTQI+ people without judgment
• Welcome everyone to the Eucharistic table without judgment
• Encouraging leadership that accepts change
• Emphasise the universal call to holiness.

The full Wellington Archdiocese synthesis.

Auckland

• Reform the formation of clerics
• Optional celibacy for priests
• Ordination of women
• Appropriate formation for lay people
• Welcoming liturgical language that is inclusive, less misogynistic, less hierarchical and that reflects contemporary theology
• Synodal Church governance not restricted to clerics
• Transparent appointment of bishops
• Women equitably present in Church structures and decision-making bodies

The Auckland section also dedicated a second section to itself entitled "Calls to the local Church".

The full Auckland Diocese synthesis.

Hamilton

• Deepen community
• Grow in faith
• To know Christ
• Reawaken identity as disciples of Christ
• Reach out to the margins
• To be part of a solution rather than a problem
• Improved catechesis
• Importance of prayer
• Mission of the laity and how the laity can do more
• Lay involvement in governance and decision making
• A new way of communication
• Continued transparency and accountability
• Concern for the younger generation; Church is too antiquated for young people
• Relevant liturgy
• Rediscovering the important aspect of Church teaching and practice
• Ordination of women

The full Hamilton Diocese synthesis.

Palmerston North

• Bi-culturalism through use of te reo, tikanga
• Include multi-cultural elements
• Re-orient towards mission in this time and place
• The mission of the laity but concern about how to do it
• Need for robust digital strategy - faith learning, virtual parishes, entertainment
• Better communication
• Change in current leadership models
• Change in how the liturgy is celebrated
• Safeguarding
• Welcoming migrants
• Welcoming LGBTQI+
• Develop the relationship between schools (seen as welcoming) and parishes (seen as exclusive).
• Wanting an encounter with God
• Less clerical more lay leadership
• Inclusive of women at all levels including priesthood
• Welcoming to Maori, migrants, the deaf, poor, divorced or separated, LGBTQI+ and conservative traditionalist Catholics
• Closing the cultural gap
• Be a Christian community
• Liturgical reform
• More opportunities for faith formation.

The full Palmerston North Diocese synthesis.

Christchurch

• Change the language of the liturgy to be inclusive
• In-depth formation for those delivering homilies
• Honour different cultures in the liturgy
• Better liturgical hymns
• Collaborative leadership at all levels includes women; priest does not have the final word
• Participation through recognised talents and exploration of the baptismal priesthood
• Young people
• Women
• Maori and immigrants
• Divorced and remarried
• LGBTQI+
• Bi-culturalism
• Multi-culturalism
• Clergy need to be more welcoming
• Service with a focus on social justice and the corporal works of mercy
• Formation for: community, scripture, leadership training, modern life, science and religion and ecological morality
• Openness to being ecumenical
• Reducing the dualism in homilies
• Renewed willingness to examine and implement Vatican II's liturgical changes

The full Christchurch Diocese synthesis.

Dunedin

• Inclusion
• Non-judgemental approach to sacraments for LGBTQI+, divorced and remarried
• Support and bless gay relationships and those wanting to remarry
• Respect multi-culturalism with inclusion in liturgy
• Support of bi-culturalism
• Inclusion of all the baptised in decision-making and leadership
• Include women in church leadership and liturgy
• Co-responsibility between clergy and laity
• Growing the confidence of the laity
• Lack of young people at Mass
• Mass not resonating with many in the wider church family
• Connecting parishes and schools
• Embrace those who like the Latin Mass
• Develop a more modern appeal to the Mass
• Engagement of the Church in the wider community: environment, care for poor, being pro-life in the fuller sense of the word, inequality, justice, peace, equity in the world, ecumenism, modern day slavery and human trafficking
• Belonging to groups outside the Mass community
• Local communities vital.

The full Dunedin Diocese synthesis.

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

Marylands was a residential school for children with learning difficulties, run between the mid-1950s and 1984 by the Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God, a Catholic religious congregation of brothers, initially in Middleton before it moved to Halswell.

The Royal Commission last week published the details of its Marylands case study.

Marylands is one of a number of individual inquiries the Royal Commission will hold into state and faith-based institutions as part of its overall investigation into historical child abuse in care institutions.

It has yet to name a date for the Marylands hearing.

It will investigate "the nature and extent of abuse that occurred at Marylands, why it happened, and the impacts of abuse that may have occurred at the hands of priests, religious or lay employees of the Church.

It will investigate whether there are any systemic, structural or other factors which contributed to the abuse occurring and the adequacy of the response by the Catholic Church to allegations of abuse."

Catherine Fyfe, chair of Te Ropu Tautoko - the group coordinating Catholic engagement with the Royal Commission - welcomed the announcement and said the Church and Tautoko would work supportively and diligently to do everything possible to co-operate.

"We will work with the Royal Commission and the leadership of the brothers of St John of God to ensure that our response is as timely and comprehensive as possible, to honour those harmed at Marylands," Ms Fyfe said.

"We see this inquiry and the wider work of the Royal Commission as a way for the Catholic bishops and religious congregations to positively engage in this important process of listening, acknowledging, learning, and reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding the vulnerable in society."

Brother Timothy Graham OH, the Sydney-based Provincial of the St John of God order, said the Marylands inquiry was an acknowledgement of those who were harmed in the care of the brothers.

"The inquiry is another chance for the survivors' voices to be heard, and for the brothers - indeed all of us — to listen and learn."

The New Zealand Catholic bishops and Catholic congregational leaders sought to have the Church included in the work of the Royal Commission, which when first established was limited to abuse of children in state care.

The Catholic Bishops Conference and the Congregational Leaders' Conference Aotearoa New Zealand set up Te Ropu Tautoko to ensure the Church provides a co-ordinated and co-operative response to the Royal Commission from all the many dioceses, congregations and institutions of the Church.

Source

• catholic.org.nz
• Image: stuff.co.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

Siobhan comes to the role with a strong background in business management.

She is currently the Policy Analyst and Projects Manager for the New Zealand Catholic Education Office, after working in organisational management and executive support in a variety of positions.

Siobhan has a Master of Business Administration degree from Texas State University (San Marcos, TX) and Bachelor of Commerce and Administration degree from Victoria University of Wellington (NZ).

She has had leadership roles in the community, including a recent role as Chair of a local Catholic college board of trustees and a national executive role for a women's advocacy organisation.

Of the appointment, Bishop Charles Drennan, NZCBC Secretary said, "in addition to Siobhan's strong analytical and communication skills, her experience in relationship management and business administration align well with the breadth and nature of this role.

"We welcome Siobhan to the Secretariat team and to our table of Bishops.

"Pivotal to her role is to help manage us and to be our direct link to the numerous Catholic agencies and commissions serving the Church community and our civic community of Aotearoa."

On the announcement of her appointment, Siobhan said, "I'm delighted to be coming into this role and contributing at a national level with a highly respected organisation within the Catholic Church".

Siobhan replaces James van Schie who has taken up a new role as General Manager for the Auckland Diocese.

Source

• Supplied: Amanda Gregan. Ko te Huinga Pihopa o te Hahi Katorika o Aotearoa (NZCBC) The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference
• bpwnzwome.wordpress.com
• Image: wn.catholic.org.nz

He will be supporting the secretariat and the bishops in their commitment to Katorika Maori.

The role will be a part time one. He will also have direct pastoral responsibilities in the Archdiocese Wellington as Turanga Maori.

Karatea-Goddard has worked in the Palmerston North Diocese for some years as Vicar for Maori. He was ordained a deacon in June 2014.

He made a strong contribution to the Maori Translation team for the National Liturgy Office for the further development of liturgical texts in te reo.

With his wife Maru he served on Te Runanga o te Hahi Katorika ki Aotearoa.

Karatea-Goddard is qualified teacher.

Before working for the Church, he worked in the field of education at all levels, and in Maori development.

His experiences have centred around being a facilitator, consultant, teacher and writer.

Karatea-Goddard's iwi affiliations are Maniapoto, Kinohaku, Matakore, Ngapuhi, Ngati Whatua, Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri and Ngati Hine.

"Many would not know that my wife Maru and I were born in Wellington and I grew up and was educated there,"Karatea-Goddard said.

"We are both first recipients of Whakatupuranga Ruamano - Generation 2000, a tribal plan initiated in the 1970s by the Confederation of Ngati Raukawa-te-au-ki-te-Tonga, Ngati Toarangatira and Te Ati Awa."

"Both my late parents were community advocates for social justice and peace, unionism, lifelong education and kaumatua of Pipitea marae."

"My mother's family still reside in Wellington City and my father's whanau in Tainui-Maniapoto and North Auckland."

There will be a powhiri for Katatea-Goddard to welcome him to the Welington Archdiocese.

It will take place Monday 27 February, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Hill St, Wellington.

People will gather outside the cathedral at 12.30pm before the powhiri commences at 1pm.

Source

• Welcom
• NZCBC
• Image: Welcom

New Zealand's Catholic Bishops and Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand say the Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill is being rushed too fast through Parliament, and is not specific enough.

In a joint written submission to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, the Bishops and Caritas said the New Zealand government had to address all matters covered by United Nations Security Council resolution 2178.

Speaking to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Caritas Director Julianne Hickey said the specific context giving rise to the legislation needs to be clearly defined to ensure it is not applied in situations unrelated to the specific terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria.

"Five places in the new Schedule in the Bill refer to unlawful activity causing serious economic damage to New Zealand carried out for purposes of commercial or economic gain," Mrs Hickey says.

"It does not seem to us that commercial or economic gain is the main purpose of the extremist violence used by ISIS."

"We would like to know what this clause is intended to be used for."

Speaking on behalf of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference, Monsignor Gerard Burns told the Foreign Affairs Select Committee that urgent security concerns have long been an excuse for removal of important human rights which protect the most vulnerable.

"The Select Committee must ensure that there are sufficient checks and balances on the powers that this legislation gives to the powerful."

The submission also included concerns about access to natural justice for people whose passports are cancelled while overseas, especially if left vulnerable in dangerous places like Syria and Iraq.

The Bishops and Caritas said that there are valid reasons for New Zealanders to travel to the Middle East, including religious, family and humanitarian reasons.

Source

• Supplied: Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand
• caritas.org.nz
• Image: falss.com

He has written to Prime Minister John Key, offering the support of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops for the cautious and measured approach to making decisions about New Zealand's involvement in the Middle East conflict.

"We are aware of the difficult challenge this situation presents for countries and world leaders, and we offer the Prime Minister our prayers as he makes further decisions about New Zealand's involvement," said Dew.

"We've also urged the New Zealand Government to use its seat on the Security Council of the United Nations to find a way to move beyond the impasse on Iraq and Syria, and which will allow actions to be carried out under the UN banner."

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference has also asked Key to be open to further humanitarian assistance for Syrian and Iraqi refugees.

"While our concern is not only for Catholics, Catholic Syrians and Iraqis in New Zealand speak to us regularly about their deep concern for the desperate situation faced by family members in Syria and Iraq or who have become refugees."

"These insights about the effects the actions of ISIS are having on ordinary people are deeply moving."

"We encourage Catholics to remain steadfast in their prayers for the people affected by the conflict and for the world's leaders - remaining hopeful that together we can bring lasting peace to the Middle East."

Source

• Supplied NZCBC
• Image: sconews.co.uk

The Archdiocese of Wellington has made a submission on behalf of all the New Zealand dioceses to the Select Committee considering the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill.

The Bishops fully support of the intent of the legislation which is to improve safety. However they think that more work needs to be done to analyse the impact of the proposals on all.

In a press release issued on 23 April Dew says that the owners of many of the commercial building in the CBD of main centres have good reasons to improve their buildings and many will be able to access the resources that will allow them to do so.

But, he says, Church communities do not have access to the capital needed to achieve all the improvements legislation will require within the timelines proposed. "Left to ourselves the decision is a stark and difficult one."

"With the support of our parishioners, others in the community, and local and central government some buildings will be able to be improved."

"Many of our communities are struggling towards achieving this now he says, but the cost is high."

Dew says that while they the places where people gather must be safe for all, "the balance to be achieved between safety and affordability is the challenge we are currently faced with and the one this Bill attempts to address."

"The challenge is not black and white or easy. It is not about choosing between one priority and another."

"Funds to improve our buildings will have to be specifically raised from our communities. Many of our communities cannot even afford the increased insurance costs on their buildings following the Canterbury events."

"The reality is that there are competing demands and massive need. Church communities that are most likely to be affected by the Bill are small parishes who have an asset in the form of a building but lack the necessary cash-flow to maintain them, let alone support the activities that are the very reason for their existence," Dew says.

He says they look forward to being part of society's wider conversation. As a society we need to ask the following:

• How do we understand risk and safety without it becoming a matter of mere compliance with a legal minimum?
• Does this legislation provide building owners who comply with protection from other legislation where an incident is earthquake related?
• Has government itself found the balance in the way it manages its own buildings and tenancies on our behalf?
• What other assistance can government (central and local) provide to those without the commercial, capital, and taxation levers to respond to the new and increasing demands?
• Should legislation provide more clarity about the policy intent and avoid phrases with multiple meanings like "earthquake prone" so that people understand the issues without it all being left to the technicalities of regulation, code, and standard?
• Have analysts fairly examined the true cost of this legislation for owners that do not have the benefit of cash-flow related to building ownership?
• Has enough care been taken to understand the impact of the provision of initial assessments by councils, when the cost of detailed assessment is beyond the reach of many?
• Should all buildings be required to display notices outlining their seismic status?
• Has the wider social impact of seismic activity been considered? "We have made a submission to the Select Committee considering this Bill.

Source

• Supplied by The New Zealand Catholic Bishop's Conference
• Image: Marist Messenger

The bishops have published The Catholic Education of School Age Children

In this document the Bishops discuss a number of problems with faith education and the likely solutions.

It is based in large part on doctoral thesis research by Chris Duthie-Jung of Wellington, Faith Amid Secularity.

The Bishops say that although Catholic schools deliver a sound education, that is not why they exist — that end can be met by state schools. Catholic schools are where the living God should be encountered.

They think young, adult pakeha Catholics (between 18 and 28) see themselves as Catholic, sense the presence of God, believe in basic goodness, but also display a disconnect at the level of faith acting in ordinary life.

For most of them, being Catholic is cultural rather than a commitment. In fact, there seems to be little difference

The Catholic Education of School Age Children covers such things as:

• Non-participation in parish life
• The courage needed to be truly Catholic
• Attendance dues,
• Young Catholics at state schools
• Barriers to Catholic education
• CCD
• The role of the NZ Catholic Education Office.

Source

• NZ Catholic
• Image: Screen Shot NZCBC

"Our preparation for Christmas in the season of Advent is a time of waiting for a child who was born in poverty, in a stable because there was no place that would take in his family," says Archbishop John Dew, President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference.

"For some New Zealanders, Christmas is becoming a time of over-consumption, while for others it is a time of great stress and anxiety to meet their basic necessities. It would be good if all of us could think about how we can live a bit more simply this Christmas and, wherever possible, reach out to someone who might be struggling even just a bit more than we are ourselves."

Archbishop John says there are many ways that people could assist others, from donating to a food bank or soup kitchen, to giving food as a Christmas gift to neighbours or friends, or inviting someone over for a meal.

Source

• NZCBC
• Image: remnantculture.com

Vatican authorities provided the New Zealand officials with the wrong arrival date and he arrived a day before he was expected.

Cardinal Rodriguez survived a not unusual "bumpy" arrival into Wellington, which is well known for its high winds, but there was no one to meet him at Wellington airport.

So he caught a taxi and asked the driver to take him to the Catholic cathedral. The taxi driver went to a Baptist church, and Cardinal Rodriguez had to advise him to use his GPS device to find the Catholic destination. continue reading

Source

• Michael Otto CNS
• Image: Mark Mitchell. Supplied by NZCBC

"Speaking with Cardinal Oscar gave us real insight into Pope Francis and what he is doing," said Archbishop John Dew, President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference.

Commenting on behalf of the NZ Bishop following the Cardinal's visit Archbishop John said "It was a great privilege having him here, especially as he came straight from the meeting of the Commission of Cardinals and the Pope' visit to Assisi."

"The discussions with the Cardinal made us all feel more connected to the Holy See and to the Holy Father. He has given us a sense of hope and excitement," Archbishop John said.

"He really listened in his discussions with us, which is an example of the kind of dialogue Pope Francis has been speaking of," he said.

"We were inspired by what the Cardinal to those gathered during the whakatau, that when Pope Francis says to go out to the periphery, he means not only those who are poor and marginalised but also those parts of the Church, like New Zealand, which are geographically distant,"

"He said that although he could not understand much of what was said in te reo the language of love and warmth was communicated through signs and gestures,"

"He told us he loved the whakatau, the speeches, the singing, the flower garlands. It made him feel not just welcome, but accepted into our midst." He said.

"Although here for a short visit I'm sure he will remember for a long time what he witnessed of the vibrant faith community here in Aotearoa."

Source

• Supplied by NZCBC
• Image: Adrian Heke supplied by NZCBC
  

"To propose any alternative definition will have implications in law, and in society, but also for education and the family structure which throughout history has been seen as the fundamental unit in every society, says Archbishop Dew, the Chairman of the The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference (NZCBC)

Full Text of Bishops' Statement

The Catholic Bishops have voiced their concerns over fundamentally changing the family structure on which our society is built and are disappointed that MPs have voted the Bill through this first stage.

The Bishops had appealed to MPs to keep marriage as defined between a man and a woman. Other legal avenues exist for same sex couples to publicly declare their love and lifelong commitment to each other. The Bishops will continue to voice their concerns through a submission on the Bill.

"The Catholic Church affirms love, fidelity and commitment in all relationships, but believes that marriage should be defined as being between a man and a woman", says Archbishop John Dew, President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference.

"To propose any alternative definition will have implications in law, and in society, but also for education and the family structure which throughout history has been seen as the fundamental unit in every society", says Archbishop Dew.

"Society doesn't have the right to deprive a child of both its father and mother, both equally significant in their upbringing. We're concerned about children growing up without one or both parents as part of the primary parenting partnership. We also understand that as humans we have a real need to get to know both of our biological parents.

"While there are families which include single parents and same sex couples raising children there is a question to be asked about whether we want to legislate for a new norm for the family unit", he says.

Source

• The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference
• Image: articlewn.com

Included in the programme are an address from Bishop Peter Cullinane of Palmerston North, three keynote speeches, an interactive workshop which will break open the founding documents of Catholic youth and young adult ministry in New Zealand, and eight other workshops from which participants can choose four.

The keynote speakers are Samuel Clear from Harvest Inroads Australia, who is well-known for his engaging and inspirational presentations on putting Christ's love into action in a broken world; Chris Duthie-Jung who has extensive experience in ministry with young Catholics and is currently completing his PhD on the Catholic identity of Gen Y New Zealanders, and Kitty McKinley, who has been actively involved in youth ministry and development for over 40 years and is the founder of professional youth and social work agency Challenge 2000.

Workshop themes include planning prayer and liturgy; engaging with Maori and Polynesian communities; encouraging youth involvement in parish life; supporting families in their spiritual journeys, and using new media and technology.

The conference will open on Sunday with a Mass celebrated by coadjutor bishop of Palmerston North, Bishop Charles Drennan, which will be followed by a gathering with the parish community. Each day will begin and conclude with prayer, and daily Mass will be offered at lunchtime. Br Kieran Fenn FMS will offer two evening Exegesis and Prayer sessions. The conference will conclude on Wednesday with a Commissioning Mass celebrated by Bishop Cullinane.

National Project Coordinator of the Office for Young People, Sr Helen O'Sullivan RNDM, says the conference will benefit from having a wide range of participants.

"There will be a truly national feel to the conference with registrations having come in from as far North as Auckland and as far South as Dunedin," she says. "The participants are involved in diverse ministries both in the Catholic Church and the wider community and will bring with them a range of perspectives, experiences and energies to share with others who are passionate about youth and young adults.

"My desire is that the conference will give hope to those who have been involved in youth and young adult work for a long time and provide inspiration for those who are newer to this important ministry in the Church".

Source

• New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference
• Image: I was Just Thinking