WelCom February 2021 In a ruling on 11 January 2021, Pope Francis amended Canon Law so that women can become lectors and acolytes, which are both public ministries. The role of lector reads the scriptures during Mass while an acolyte assists a priest as an altar server. By issuing the Spiritus Domini motu proprio, Pope […]
WelCom February 2021 During the month of February 2021 Pope Francis’ universal prayer intention is: to protect women against violence. We pray for women who are victims of violence, that they may be protected by society and have their sufferings considered and heeded.
WelCom February 2021 The Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, will reopen on 1 February 2021, after being closed for 88 days due to coronavirus restrictions – the longest closure since World War II. The world-famous collections will open their doors to the public from Monday to Saturday, but visitors must pre-book tickets and will […]
WelCom February 2021 New Zealand’s Catholic bishops are strongly urging their faithful and everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand to get a Covid-19 vaccine when it becomes available. In a statement from the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, issued 13 January 2021, President Cardinal John Dew, cited this country’s 2019–2020 measles epidemic and the endorsement of […]
WelCom December 2020 Dr Nathan Matthews, principal of Hato Pāora Māori Boys’ College, greets Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa, Apostolic Nuncio to New Zealand, with a hongi during his first visit to the college. The greeting followed a pōwhiri to welcome His Excellency and fellow guests on 10 November. Speaking to students, staff and guests, Archbishop Rugambwa […]
WelCom December 2020 The Catholic Church is determined to listen, learn, and reflect on the evidence of survivors who will speak at the first faith-based redress hearings of the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care, starting in Auckland, Monday 30 November 2020. In a statement issued by Te Rōpū Tautoko, 30 November, chair Catherine Fyfe […]
WelCom December 2020 The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care is holding its faith-based hearings in two phases. The first part of the faith-based hearing in Auckland, Monday 30 November to Friday 11 December 2020, is to hear from survivors who are sharing their experiences of abuse and the redress processes of the […]
WelCom December 2020 The Catholic Church has appointed an experienced independent investigator to look at whether the former Bishop of Dunedin, Bishop John Kavanagh, took proper action when he received complaints of sexual abuse. Cardinal John Dew has instructed the Church’s independent complaints body – the National Office for Professional Standards (NOPS) – to investigate […]
WelCom December 2020 The Palmerston North Diocese annual assembly of priests, held on 7 and 8 October, opened at St Brigid’s Parish Church in Feilding. It encompassed a range of presentations, prayer, reflection, and discussions including ministry, pastoral outreach and missionary transformation for the diocese. Among the presenters were priests ‘new’ to New Zealand. Fr […]
WelCom December 2020 Sr Veronica Casey pbvm, is looking for people with the faith to listen to and help some of the country’s most rejected people – the 9500 men and women serving time in Aotearoa New Zealand’s 18 prisons. Mosgiel-based Sr Veronica is the Catholic Senior Prison Chaplain. She is always looking for suitable […]