Latest news with #NewZealandCatholicBishopsConference
Scoop
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Prayer Carrying Cardinal Dew Towards Start Of Conclave
Press Release – New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference One of the main aspects of the cardinals daily meetings has been sharing their perspective on the needs of the Church and the world, and the qualities a Pope would possess to meet those needs. Cardinal John Dew said he is relying on prayer – his own, and that of others – in helping him prepare for the 'immensity' of the task of being one of 133 people about to elect Pope Francis' successor. On Wednesday, Cardinal Dew will become the third New Zealander to enter a conclave, following Cardinal Reginald Delargey (two conclaves in 1978) and Cardinal Thomas Williams (2005). He said on Monday that the daily Masses of mourning, which concluded on Sunday, and the daily meetings of the cardinals have narrowed their focus on the task at hand. 'I think the fact that we are all together, and we're talking about the one thing – electing a new bishop of Rome, electing a successor of St Peter – has really helped all of us,' Cardinal Dew said. One of the main aspects of the cardinals' daily meetings has been sharing their perspective on the needs of the Church and the world, and the qualities a Pope would possess to meet those needs. 'Listening to what everyone is saying and the kind of person they're looking for, and the needs of the Church, it's been quite inspiring, really, to hear the passion that people have for spreading the work of the Gospel,' Cardinal Dew said. The former Archbishop of Wellington has had the chance to address the cardinals on that question, and he spoke about Pope Francis' 'gift to the world' of the Jubilee Year of Hope. 'I think one of the things that a new pope will need to do is to continue to try and give hope to the world,' Cardinal Dew said. 'But as well as being the leader of the Church, he needs to be a world leader who's prepared to speak out and, in this world of disinformation and misinformation and sometimes lies, someone who stands up for the truth.' In a society where there is 'turmoil and turbulence', Cardinal Dew said the Church – and the Pope – has a role 'to bring peace and harmony and to get the message through that we are all sisters and brothers of one another, no matter what part of the world we might live in'. Pope Francis was someone who helped offer hope and joy to the world. Cardinal Dew hopes his successor can do the same. Finding that successor among a sea of faces and names is causing Cardinal Dew some 'apprehension', he conceded. 'The immensity of the task, the fact that this only happens once every few years, and it has incredible consequences for the Church and for the world, and that I'm part of that, it makes me a bit apprehensive,' he said. The process being 'steeped in prayer' is giving Cardinal Dew a sense of comfort as the preparation for the conclave continues. 'One of the parts of Scripture that I often think about in terms of prayer is responding to the invitation of Jesus in St John's Gospel to 'remain in my love',' he explained. 'We can think about that as just for the time of prayer, but that's going to be for all this time – being aware we are all surrounded by the love of the Lord.' Like most of the cardinal-electors, Cardinal Dew will be participating in a conclave for the first time. From among those who have voted in a papal election before, their explanation of how the process is divinely inspired has offered some insight. 'A couple of the cardinals actually said you can go into the conclave and even have some ideas, but it's only after a vote or two that things start to clarify,' he recalled. 'When Francis was elected, people hadn't thought of him, but it became very clear that he was the one. They described that as the work of Holy Spirit. 'And the fact that you're in a place where you have no contact with anybody else – no cell phones, no computers, no iPads – the whole thing becomes a bit like a retreat and a real time of prayer.' Cardinal Dew expressed his gratitude to the Catholic community in New Zealand for their prayers for him and the other cardinals. He mentioned in particular the uptake of the Litany of the Saints prayer prepared especially for the Church in New Zealand and for the intention of the conclave.
Scoop
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
National Mass For Pope In Palmerston North This Weekend
New Zealand's six Catholic bishops and the Vatican's ambassador to New Zealand will gather in Palmerston North this Sunday evening for the nation's formal memorial Mass for Pope Francis. Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church from March 2013 until April 2025, died on April 21. His funeral was held in Rome on April 26, with Masses held all over the world to give thanks for Francis' time as Pope. Palmerston North Bishop John Adams said it is a privilege to host the national memorial Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, which recently celebrated its centenary. 'While we have all had the chance to gather with our local communities to celebrate the life of Pope Francis and pray for the repose of his soul, it is fitting for us to do this on the national level – and with the Holy See's representative, the Apostolic Nuncio,' he said. 'It is always good to gather with our brother bishops in celebrating the Eucharist, even if this Mass will meld sadness and thanksgiving.' The six current New Zealand bishops were all appointed by Pope Francis, starting with Bishop Steve Lowe in 2015, the current president of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference. Archbishop Gabor Pinter, the Vatican's ambassador to New Zealand and the Pacific, said several countries' ambassadors posted in New Zealand are expected to attend the Mass, further demonstrating Pope Francis' global impact. 'At the Pope's funeral, there were 163 delegations, with 12 monarchs, 50 heads of state and more than 15 heads of government, including New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon,' said Archbishop Pinter, whose appointment as an archbishop was also made by Pope Francis. 'Many ambassadors, diplomats and government officials, including Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters, have signed the book of condolence we set up at the Nunciature in Wellington.' The Mass will be celebrated at 6pm on Sunday, May 4 at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. It is open to the public. 'Our congregation each Sunday evening is always large,' Bishop Adams said. 'We expect an even bigger turnout this weekend to celebrate the Pope's life and legacy.'
Otago Daily Times
23-04-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Vatican crowd in shock
A Dunedin-born photographer has described an "eerie" atmosphere in the Vatican City, just hours after the death of Pope Francis. The 88-year-old Pontiff died early Monday (local time) after making his first prolonged public appearance since February at Easter Sunday celebrations in the Vatican. New Zealand photographer Clementine Smart, who is living in Rome on a three-month art gallery internship, said it was a special time to be in the city "amongst people who hold such high regard for Pope Francis". When Ms Smart heard about the Pope's death, she took her camera and joined hundreds of Italians and tourists heading toward the Vatican. "I arrived there four hours after his passing," she said. "Once inside, the feeling was quite eerie." A small service was being held inside St Peter's Basilica and a bell was tolling, she said. Flowers from the Easter Sunday celebrations were being given to visitors who had gathered to pay their respects to the Pope. Ms Smart said people had been pleased to see Pope Francis in public and had taken his appearance as a sign of improved health following his hospitalisation earlier this year. "[After his death] I think a lot of people were in shock after just seeing him the day before." The Vatican said the Pope had died of a stroke and a subsequent, irreversible cardiovascular arrest. In February, Pope Francis had been admitted to hospital for five weeks with a bout of double pneumonia which had nearly killed him. He was discharged in late March. His first and only public appearance since then was speaking at the Vatican on Easter Sunday, entering St Peter's Square in a white "popemobile" to greet cheering crowds. He also held brief meetings with United States Vice-president J.D. Vance and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference president the Most Rev Steve Lowe said while Pope Francis was a giant on the world stage, he often endeared himself to people through one-on-one encounters because, having once been a pastor himself, he was always so responsive to all those he met". Catholic Bishop of Dunedin, the Most Rev Michael Dooley, said a Mass to pray for the Holy Father would be held at 5.30pm today at St Joseph's Cathedral.
Otago Daily Times
22-04-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Vatican crowd was in shock — photographer
A Dunedin-born photographer has described an "eerie" atmosphere in the Vatican City, just hours after the death of Pope Francis. The 88-year-old Pontiff died early Monday (local time) after making his first prolonged public appearance since February at Easter Sunday celebrations in the Vatican. New Zealand photographer Clementine Smart, who is living in Rome on a three-month art gallery internship, said it was a special time to be in the city "amongst people who hold such high regard for Pope Francis". When Ms Smart heard about the Pope's death, she took her camera and joined hundreds of Italians and tourists heading toward the Vatican. "I arrived there four hours after his passing," she said. "Once inside, the feeling was quite eerie." A small service was being held inside St Peter's Basilica and a bell was tolling, she said. Flowers from the Easter Sunday celebrations were being given to visitors who had gathered to pay their respects to the Pope. Ms Smart said people had been pleased to see Pope Francis in public and had taken his appearance as a sign of improved health following his hospitalisation earlier this year. "[After his death] I think a lot of people were in shock after just seeing him the day before." The Vatican said the Pope had died of a stroke and a subsequent, irreversible cardiovascular arrest. In February, Pope Francis had been admitted to hospital for five weeks with a bout of double pneumonia which had nearly killed him. He was discharged in late March. His first and only public appearance since then was speaking at the Vatican on Easter Sunday, entering St Peter's Square in a white "popemobile" to greet cheering crowds. He also held brief meetings with United States Vice-president J.D. Vance and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference president the Most Rev Steve Lowe said while Pope Francis was a giant on the world stage, he often endeared himself to people through one-on-one encounters because, having once been a pastor himself, "he was always so responsive to all those he met". Catholic Bishop of Dunedin, the Most Rev Michael Dooley, said a Mass to pray for the Holy Father would be held at 5.30pm today at St Joseph's Cathedral.
RNZ News
21-04-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Religious, political leaders across Aotearoa mourn Pope Francis' death
Photo: AFP Religious and political leaders across Aotearoa are mourning the death of Pope Francis, remembering him as a global figure of humility, courage, and compassion. The 88-year-old pontiff, the first Latin American to lead the Catholic Church, died just a day after making a surprise Easter Sunday appearance in St Peter's Square. He had recently survived a serious bout of double pneumonia. Across the country tributes have poured in from church leaders and politicians alike, honouring his commitment to social justice, his advocacy for the poor and marginalised, and his efforts to bring the Church closer to the people. Longtime New Zealand Catholic spokesperson Dame Lyndsay Freer said churches across the country would pay their respects to Pope Francis. "There'll be masses of thanksgiving for his life in all of our parishes and after his actual funeral there will be formal masses of thanksgiving, memorial masses, here in New Zealand," she said. She said there would be masses for thanksgiving for his life in churches across New Zealand and that many may even be heading over to Italy. "The crowds [in Italy] are just unbelievable. "It's just amazing how Italy manage these huge crowds of hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people. "I was actually there when he was elected in St. Peteres Square when the white smoke came up that elected Pope Francis," she said. Auckland Bishop and president of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference Steve Lowe said that while the Pope had not visited New Zealand, he had a deep love for the Catholic faithful across the world. "While he didn't set foot on our shores, we know the deep love that Pope Francis had for the Catholic faithful scattered across the world," said Lowe. "Through his visits to places like Papua New Guinea, Mongolia and Indonesia, Francis knew the appeal and the impact of the papacy in all corners of the globe," he said. Dunedin Diocese's Catholic Bishop Michael Dooley said the Pope stood up for people in poverty and migrants. "He was pretty courageous really in standing up and speaking for those people, and I think probably by his way of life too he backed it up with his actions, so it was obviously something that was dear to his heart." "One of the things he's done is what's called the Synodality.... he's got us, looking at being a more listening church, more listening people. Dooley met the Pope in 2019 alongside four other New Zealand bishops and said Francis was open and welcoming. He said the death of the pontiff felt similar to a family member dying. "I've been quite amazed and inspired by what he's done." Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said his thoughts were with Catholics and all those in New Zealand and around the world who mourn his death. "A man of humility, his legacy includes an unwavering commitment to the vulnerable, to social justice and to interfaith dialogue," Luxon said. Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said throughout his papacy, the Pope had shown deep compassion and an unwavering commitment to social justice, inclusion and the dignity of every person. "He stood up for action on climate change, championed peace through his diplomacy, and advocated for the rights of migrants and refugees," Hipkins said. "His leadership challenged us all to build a fairer and more caring world," he said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
