St Patrick's Catholic Church, Lawrence parish chairman Geoff Blackmore informed the Otago Daily Times of the decision this week, drawing to a close a process that began in December last year.

At that time, Mr Blackmore said the 129-year-old, category 2 heritage-listed church on Colonsay St had significant issues, requiring an estimated $1million to fix. Read more

Dawson was one of the 52 people who signed a letter seeking assurance from the board that a Christian chapel and an office for chaplains be given priority for the new hospital.

The signatories are mainly leaders of Presbyterian congregations across the South, but also including the Anglican Bishop of Dunedin, the Right Rev Stephen Benford,

The letter calls for a "discernable Christian presence" in the new hospital.

Hospitals and the health systems in which they operate can largely be said to be an invention of the church and they certainly rely on values espoused by the church throughout its 2000-year history, Dawson said

His further concern was the Christian faith would not be primarily represented within a city founded on Christian principles and a country in which, still, the largest group of people claiming religious adherence are Christian.

New Dunedin Hospital project director Hamish Brown told the board that management had tried to provide a "neutral and respectful approach to what is a complex and sensitive issue".

The multi-faith centre approach reflected modern health practice, and there was not enough space in the proposed hospital design for two chapels.

"It is important not to get hung up on size or square metres. It is important to consider its function," Mr Brown said.

Board member Tuari Potiki said he supported the recommendation.

He said the University of Otago operated a similar multi-faith prayer room.

"I think it's inclusive; it's practical, it sends the message that we should get on with each other."

Dawson said the university situation was not comparable to the hospital, as the chaplain's room had been rebuilt for Christian ministry as part of the prayer room development.

Source

• odt.co.nz
• odt.co.nz
• patheos.com
• Image: facebook.com

He says the appointment came as a shock.

But he says he has eased into the role after receiving much support.

Dooley succeeds Bishop Colin Campbell, who has retired after 14 years in the role.

After at first feeling a ‘bit sick' at the news, Dooley says he then thought that, no, it was the church's choice.

Dooley's new role means he is in charge of the whole Otago-Southland region.

His was one of three names sent to Rome for consideration for the appointment.

Pope France appointed him.

None of the three was aware that they were under consideration.

"It sounds a bit strange, but it's done to stop lobbying. 'It's a historical thing,' Dooley says, to stop lobbying.

Life before Bishop

Born in Invercargill, the 56-year-old was ordained a priest in 1989.

Dooley completed an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner before studying for a bachelor of theology degree at the University of Otago.

He earned a master of theology in Melbourne.

His first thoughts of a vocation after a priest suggested he attend a retreat for young men interested in the priesthood.

"I sort of resisted, but I went to the retreat," he says.

He says he had no confidence in public speaking. "I didn't think I was a suitable candidate at all," he says.

"In the engineering workshop you didn't need to do too much public speaking."

A few years back, Dooley offered land behind St Peter Chanel parish in Green Island, south Dunedin, to be used for a community garden.

He described the land as a "blank canvas" for the community to establish its garden.

Dooley describes numbers in the Dunedin diocese as static but he says church is in good health.

He says immigrants from countries like the Philippines and India are bolstering numbers.

He relates to Pope Francis' view of the church and its place in the world.

"Rather than being a fortress mentality, it's an idea of engaging with the world."

Sources:

• ODT
• NZ Catholic Bishops Conference
• Image credit: ODT