Archbishop: Letter doesn't imply support for Waihopai action

After NZ Catholic drew to his attention the letter from the archdiocese justice, peace and development co-ordinator to priests and lay pastoral leaders, Archbishop Dew replied that: "I was not aware of this letter and it does not signal that I support the actions taken at Waihopai [spy base]."

Fr Peter Murnane, OP, Sam Land and Adrian Leason face charges relating to their alleged entry onto the Waihopai base near Blenheim in 2008, where they allegedly used sickles to deflate a dome over a satellite dish.

They have entered not guilty pleas to the charges - entering an enclosed yard with the intention of committing a crime, damaging a satellite dome and damaging wire fences surrounding the dome.

A trial in the High Court at Wellington is scheduled to run from March 8-12.

The three men charged belong to the Ploughshares movement, which is committed to peace and disarmament.

Ploughshares and other groups have planned a series of public events in Wellington to coincide with the trial.

These include pickets and vigils outside the United States embassy and the British, Australian and Canadian High Commissions.

Supporters will camp out at Katherine Mansfield Park next to the US Embassy for six nights.

On February 22, a letter on Archdiocesan Pastoral Services letterhead from archdiocesan justice, peace and development co-ordinator Mary-Ann Greaney to priests and lay pastoral leaders explained the major events and thanked recipients for any support they could give.

She asked that a poster be placed on church noticeboards, peace and justice groups be informed and that parishioners be alerted.

The letter said "this is an invitation to become better informed on what it [the trial] is all about and to consider standing in solidarity with the three on trial".

Archdiocese vicar general Fr Gerard Burns is quoted in the letter: "The action [at Waihopai] was taken from a specifically Christian motivation, the three participants are Catholics and base their actions on Gospel principles and [Catholic Social Teaching]. Although not all will agree with their actions, I think we will miss an opportunity to reflect on that teaching with our fellow Catholics and others."

Stations of the Cross on March 9 was one of two events highlighted in the letter. Participants would "stop at sites and institutions that can be used to justify war and oppression". The route includes the district court, the Treasury, the Reserve Bank, the Cenotaph, cathedrals, defence headquarters and the US Embassy.

Archbishop Dew said the Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington "is not taking any particular action in relation to the Waihopai Ploughshares trial".

"Neither has it offered public support for the events surrounding the trial," he said.

"Particular decisions and actions taken in the area of civil disobedience are the responsibility of the person or persons concerned. Those who took the actions at Waihopai did so as individuals, not as representatives of the Catholic Church."

Archbishop Dew said the letter invited people to become better informed and he hoped "that people continue to be informed of what the Church teaches about peacemaking".

Archbishop Dew said the theme of Pope John Paul II's visit to New Zealand in 1986 was "The Heart of Peace is Peace of Heart".

"While his visit was some time ago, the current situation may be a timely opportunity for all of us to cultivate this peace of heart during the lenten season."

A statement from peace activists Anti-Bases Campaign said: "People are coming from round the country and from Australia to support [the Waihopai three] and to give voice to the issue behind their trial - the need to close the Waihopai spy base and end New Zealand's links with the US war machine. Waihopai is New Zealand 's most important contribution to that war machine, far more so than any SAS presence in Afghanistan, operating as an outpost of US intelligence 24/7."