THE P RTAL
June 2014
Australia Pages - page 10
Bishops in New Zealand
W
ith the
haunting sound of the conch shell, more than 80 Bishops of Australia, Papua New
Guinea, Solomon Islands, the Pacific Nations were welcomed to New Zealand with a powhiri at the
Sacred Heart Cathedral, Wellington. The Mass which followed incorporated some of the Pasifika cultures
that are part of the local Catholic community.
"Many of the visiting Bishops remarked that it was
a sign of the warm welcome and hospitality that New
Zealanders are known for," said Archbishop John Dew,
President of the New Zealand Bishops Conference
and President of the Federation of Catholic Bishops
Conferences of Oceania.
Bishop of Tarawa in Nauru spoke of the detention
centres within their countries and the effects of these
on local populations of Manus Island and Nauru.
Bishop Barry Jones and Mike Stopforth presented
a session on the earthquakes and their impact on the
Christchurch city and the Diocese. They spoke of the
The Bishops are gathered for the Assembly of the ongoing effects on the people of Christchurch, together
Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania with the rebuilding being undertaken by the Church
which takes place in a different part of Oceania every and throughout the city. Archbishop Peter Loy Chong
four years. The Assembly took place from 12-16 May. of Suva spoke on reading the signs of the Fiji times,
and the pastoral implications of the political changes
During the Opening Mass the Apostolic Nuncio that have occurred in Fiji over the last fifteen years.
to New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, Archbishop
Martin Krebs, read a message sent by the Holy See’s
The Bishops also discussed topics that will be
Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on behalf of considered at the Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod
Pope Francis. In it Pope Francis offered his prayerful of Bishops to be held in Rome in October this year. In
support and his hope that during their time together the workshop sessions, the bishops heard presentations
Bishops would find inspiration and strength for their and engaged in discussion with presenters on young
common mission in the service of God’s people. New people and the Catholicism.
Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Bill English
joined the Bishops for dinner on Monday night and
The Assembly marked the end of Archbishop
welcomed them to New Zealand.
John Dew's term as President of the Federation of
Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania. During the
During the week the Bishops visited the Home of Assembly the Bishops elected Archbishop John Ribat
Compassion and met with the Sisters. They heard MSC of Port Moresby as President of the Federation,
about their foundress, Suzanne Aubert, her work for and the Vice President is Bishop Robert McGuckin of
social justice in the wider community, the way she was Toowoomba. The 2018 Assembly will be held in Papua
embraced by the Maori community and her study of New Guinea.
Maori herbal medicine and of Te Reo. Suzanne Aubert's
cause for sainthood is underway and if beatified,
The Assembly takes place every four years in a
Mother Aubert would be New Zealand's first saint.
different part of Oceania. For the Bishops it is a rare
opportunity for reflection, prayer, discussion and
The Bishops were moved and deeply concerned when informal time together. There were 82 Bishops in
they heard Bishop Eugene Hurley speak about the Wellington for the event, from Papua New Guinea,
desperate situation of detainees in Australian detention Solomon Islands, the countries of the Pacific, and
centres. Bishops from Papua New Guinea and the Australia and New Zealand.
continued from page 9
This year, on ANZAC Day in Canberra, Prince
William of Cambridge and his wife the Duchess of
Cambridge placed a posy near the Unknown Soldier’s
tomb with a heartfelt handwritten note, before they
left Australia. Nestled in each of the posies was a small
wooden commemorative cross with a handwritten
message from an Australian school child.
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The neatly written message in Kate’s posies read: “In
every second of every day, you will be remembered for
your courage and your bravery. Thank you for your
sacrifice and for what you have done for us. For that, I
am truly grateful.”
How grateful are we all – Lest we forget.