WelCom November 2023
The latest issue of WelCom is available to read here.
Welcom Archive 2007-2026
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).
“Out of the depths I cry to you O Lord; hear my voice”
The Anglican and Catholic Bishops of Aotearoa New Zealand jointly issued the following statement on Friday 20 October, on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Watershed moment in the Holy Land
The crisis in Gaza is a watershed moment that could have long-term impact on life in the Holy Land, says New Zealander Br Peter Bray fsc, the Vice-Chancellor of Bethlehem University in the Occupied West Bank territory.
Biden and Pope Francis discuss ‘durable peace’ in Israel and Gaza
President Joe Biden and Pope Francis spoke by phone on 22 October 2023 to discuss the conflict in Israel and Gaza and facilitating a path to ‘durable peace’ in the region, according to the press offices of both leaders.
Pope Francis first pope to attend climate summit
Pope Francis will take part in the United Nations’s international climate summit in Dubai, known as COP28, which begins on 30 November.
COP28 is being held in the United Arab Emirate’s largest city, from 30 November to 12 December.
Synod on Synodality strives for consensus
A final synthesis produced by Pope Francis’ month-long Synod on Synodality offers no clear or concrete proposals on hot-button issues, but rather reflects a search for an ‘ample and convincing consensus’.
Pope pulls no punches in Laudate Deum
If Laudato Si’ was a gentle and pastoral invitation to care for creation, Laudate Deum is a visceral, prophetic call to conversion.
Eight years after Laudato Si’s initial publication, Pope Francis once again takes on the looming challenges of the climate crisis that have only worsened.
‘Fasten seatbelts for change’ – Archbishop Coleridge
New Zealand’s Catholic priests have been told to fasten their seatbelts for a journey of change and there is no going back.
In a keynote speech to the National Assembly of Diocesan Priests last month, Archbishop of Brisbane Mark Coleridge said the Catholic Church was in an Abrahamic moment, going somewhere with the destination unclear.
Fr Richard Laurenson appointed Catholic Bishop of Hamilton
Pope Francis has appointed Fr Richard Laurenson from the Diocese of Hamilton as the new Catholic Bishop of Hamilton.
The appointment was announced in Rome at 11pm New Zealand time, Wednesday 25 October.
First New Zealand priests’ gathering in five years
A national assembly of Catholic priests was held in October for the first time in five years.
One hundred and seventy five priests attended the five-day event, which was held in Rotorua and was described as ‘uplifting’ and ‘joyous’ by those who participated.