WelCom is the monthly newspaper of the Archdiocese of Wellington. Print copies of the eight-page newsletter are free and available in parishes, and sent to parishes and schools in PDF form. The archive contains WelCom stories published from 2007 to 2026 (May).
Easter Greetings to you. I hope you have had a fruitful time of Lent and that these days of the Easter Triduum have been a blessed time as you pray and reflect on the gift of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for each one of us. It is a time for celebration for us as Christian people.
As the universal Church continues its synodal journey towards the second and final session in Rome in October this year, here is a recap of the Synod on Synodality steps so far.
Cardinal John Dew has been overwhelmed by enormous support following his statement and the letter from Archbishop Paul Martin sm in response to media coverage about an allegation of sexual abuse.
The New Zealand Police have concluded their 10-month investigation and have determined that no charge will be laid against Cardinal John Dew, retired Archbishop of Wellington.
On 15 March 2024, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, Caritas Australia, Development and Peace – Caritas Canada, issued a joint statement calling on their countries’ respective prime ministers and governments to act to urgently to prevent famine, additional destruction and the further regional spread of the Gaza-Israel conflict.
Vocation Sunday is a worldwide day of prayer for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. It falls on the 4th Sunday of Easter – Good Shepherd Sunday – and a day on which there is a seminary collection. There is usually a message from the Pope for the day. Pope Francis’ 2024 message was released on 19 March. This year’s theme is: ‘Called to sow seeds of hope and to build peace’.
Pope Francis has called for Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement for ‘an immediate ceasefire in Gaza’, repeating ‘Enough!’ and ‘Stop!’ from the window of the apostolic palace.
The Coptic Orthodox Church has suspended its two-decade-long doctrinal dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church over the Vatican’s approval of same-sex blessings.
Nearly three-quarters of youth questioned in an international survey believe in God.
About 73 per cent of those surveyed said they believe in God, while a further eight per cent were ‘searching to believe in God.’ The survey canvassed the views of young people in eight countries about religious beliefs, prayer and social issues.
The Texas Attorney-General is suing a network of Church-related ministries to migrants and refugees after one of them – Annunciation House in El Paso, Texas – refused to surrender records about the people it serves.
In a recent letter to Senators, four US Bishops’ Conference chairmen argue that there isn’t a scenario where in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a morally acceptable means of pregnancy, and therefore legislation to establish a federal right to the treatment shouldn’t be passed.