Category: News
Pope opens landmark Synod
WelCom November 2021 At the formal opening of the Synod of Bishops on Synodality on October 10, Pope Francis expressed his desire that it be an experience in which everyone in the Church participates rather than an ‘elitist’ exercise. The theme of the Synod is: ‘For a Synodal Church: communion, participation and mission.’ Pope Francis […]
Catholic guidelines to help people who choose ‘assisted dying’
WelCom November 2021 Catholic health professionals, chaplains and priests are being given guidelines and pastoral help to work with people who decide to die under the End of Life Choice Act, which takes effect on 7 November, 2021. Though the Church opposes the deliberate taking of human life, it cannot turn away those who choose […]
Bearers of Consolation and Hope – Ngā Kaihāpai o te Aroha me te Tūmanako
WelCom November 2021 A Pastoral Statement from the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference on The spiritual and pastoral care of persons contemplating assisted dying in Aotearoa New Zealand 1. aith sometimes leads us to places we might rather not be (cf. John 21:18; Pope Francis, Homily 14 April 2013, 2) Soon, in Aotearoa New Zealand, some […]
Catholics urged to get involved in climate response
WelCom November 2021 The Government has published a discussion document, 13 October, on Aotearoa-New Zealand’s first emissions reduction plan (ERP) and emissions budgets for 2022–2035: Te hau mārohi ki anamata Transitioning to a low-emissions and climate-resilient future (Discussion Document). All New Zealanders are being invited to have a say to shape the final emissions reduction […]
Lutherans and Catholics reach landmark Baptism agreement
WelCom November 2021 Catholic and Lutheran churches in Aotearoa New Zealand have approved a statement recognising the unity of each other’s baptisms. The statement – Baptised Together in Christ – will be especially helpful for families wanting to baptise their child where one parent is Lutheran and the other Catholic. The baptism agreement is the […]
‘Open the Doors of My Heart’
WelCom November 2021 “The poor will always be with us, yet that should not make us indifferent, but summon us instead to a mutual sharing of life.” – Pope Francis, Message for the World Day of the Poor 2021 Lisa Beech The Fifth World Day of the Poor will be observed on 14 November 2021. […]
‘Let’s make it an adventure!’
WelCom November 2021 For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission Pope Francis has invited us all to embark on a journey together – to evaluate, discuss, think and dialogue so we can determine the direction forward for the Church. On Sunday, 17 October 2021, Cardinal John Dew celebrated the Opening Masses for the Synod, […]
Traffic lights, vaccine certificates and Church services
WelCom November 2021 On 22 October 2021, the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, announced a plan ‘to help all New Zealanders stay safe’ from Covid-19 into the future. Similar to the current Alert Level system, a new framework will be introduced that will have three settings – green, orange and red. Under the new Covid-management system, […]
Listening, understanding, communicating in love
WelCom November 2021 Deacon Danny Karatea-Goddard Many of us are now beginning to feel the creeping effects of this time of the new Delta Covid, its impact on our whānau, communities, friends and businesses. For us older ones we are reminded of the 1981 Spring Box tour where cracks and divisions landed in our homes. […]