New Zealand cannot stand aloof from involvement in the Middle East when so many people are suffering and dying says Archbishop John Dew, President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Conference. 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 Read more
The proposed legislation for managing earthquake prone buildings fails to provide a financial framework to support the owners of buildings that play a key role in defining the kind of communities that make New Zealand such a great place to live, says the Archbishop of Wellington, New Zealand, John Dew. The Archdiocese of Wellington has Read more
Most Catholic-educated young people in New Zealand are not encountering Jesus Christ through their schooling, New Zealand’s Catholic bishops say. 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 Read more
New Zealand’s Catholic Bishops have challenged people to live more simply this Christmas and find ways to share what they have with neighbours, friends and those in need. “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 Read more
A miscommunication between the Vatican and New Zealand church officials resulted in an adventurous arrival for Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga when he visited Wellington, New Zealand last week. 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” Read more
The New Zealand bishops were grateful to have discussions with Cardinal Oscar Rodrigues over the weekend in Wellington soon after the inaugural meeting of the Commission of Cardinals and the Pope’s visit to Assisi. “Speaking with Cardinal Oscar gave us real insight into Pope Francis and what he is doing,” said Archbishop John Dew, President Read more
New Zealand’s Catholic Bishops have expressed disappointment after the Definition of Marriage Bill, allowing for same sex marriage, passed its first reading by 78 to 40 on a conscience vote with no abstentions on Wednesday. “To propose any alternative definition will have implications in law, and in society, but also for education and the family structure Read more
Youth ministers, parishioners, chaplains, diocesan and school staff and members of various community groups and Catholic movement from around New Zealand are gathered in Palmerston North from 13-16 November for the ‘Head, Heart, Hands’ National Catholic Conference for Youth and Young Adult Ministers, organised by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference Office for Young People. Included Read more