Deacon Rebecca Packer (née Elvin) has been appointed as Tumu Whakarae | co-Chief Executive for the Sisters of Compassion Group, the religious order founded by Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert. Rebecca joins Deacon Danny Karatea-Goddard, appointed in April 2022, as Māori Tumu Whakarae | co-Chief Executive of the group.
What does Christianity look like to those who are not Christian?
For much of the last 500 hundred years the Church of Jesus Christ has looked and acted as very divided, with Christians fighting among themselves, their differences highlighted by large numbers of sects and denominations.
The findings from a New Zealand Church Life Survey (CLS), carried out in 2023, have been analysed and distributed to the Catholic community.
GCPS Consulting were appointed late last year to undertake an assessment of the ‘Implementation of Safeguarding Culture Standards of the Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand’. Their assessment began in November 2023 and it will conclude with a summary assessment report to be presented to Te Rōpū Tautoko, by June 2024.
Te Rōpū Tautoko, the group coordinating Catholic engagement with the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, has advised in its February newsletter that the Royal Commission of Inquiry will publish its final report by 28 March 2024.
On the frontline of supporting people facing hardship, Compassion Soup Kitchen launched an appeal last month, called Support People in Your Community. The appeal is to raise funds to help those in need in Wellington.
Fr David Dowling has been appointed the new rector of Holy Cross Seminary in Auckland.
Throughout New Zealand on Waitangi Day, 6 February, Masses were celebrated to mark this special day to reflect on the meaning of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its significance for our country. Pā Phil Cody describes the Waitangi Day Mass celebrated at Pukekaraka, Ōtaki.
Archbishop Paul Martin sm has appointed Kevin Plant as the new safeguarding coordinator for the Archdiocese of Wellington. Kevin replaces Sr Catherine Jones smsm who retired from the role in December.
Young Catholic adults from all over the country attended the 31st Hearts Aflame Summer School at Ngā Tawa Diocesan School, Marton, 29 December–7 January. They came for 10 days of prayer, formation, learning and sharing the joyful experience of a community of faith. This year’s theme was ‘Behold I make all things new’ – Rev 21:5.