A few years ago, New Zealander Nic Birt travelled to Ethiopia to visit some of the ancient places of Christianity. He had heard of rock-hewn churches, and wanted to see them.

These churches were hewn into the heights of the rocky mountains in Tigray Province, Northern Ethiopia. Mr Birt had to climb the rocks or go on a terrifying walk along a ledge, about 200 metres up a cliff. However, once he reached the sacred places, he was amazed at what he saw: columns, arches and domes, painted in vibrant, ancient Byzantium style.

This visit that started out of curiosity, turned into a very special pilgrimage. When Mr Birt returned to New Zealand, he was looking for ways to share this experience.

Titipounamu Study and Joy, an initiative founded by this writer, offered to organise an event at which this was possible. An appropriate venue was found: the St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox church in Birkdale, Auckland.

The congregation of this church is mainly Egyptian, Ethiopian and Eritrean Christians. Their priest, Fr Bishoy Mekhaiel, was happy to welcome the guests in his beautiful church.

On the evening of May 29, the participants gathered for vigil prayers. The local community had invited the guests to be with them for their chanted prayers in Arabic, Coptic and English. This chanting was accompanied by rituals using plenty of incense, and several senses were engaged: the sight, the smell, and the hearing.

More than 80 people followed the invitation to hear about the rock-hewn churches, and felt transported into a different time and a different world.

Mr Birt presented breath-taking pictures from his visits to rock-hewn churches. He confirmed that these churches, despite the challenge to reach them, were being used for about 1600 years.

After the presentation, the visitors were invited to a cuppa and had the opportunity to socialise with the local community. An Ethiopian  group stood up and sang a traditional song in Ge’ez, the ancient Semitic language of Ethiopia.

When they mingled with the guests, some of the Ethiopians shared their concerns for their homeland and family members left behind. The region of Tigray Province, where the beautiful ancient places of worship are located, is currently at war, and thousands of people are leaving the region, seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. Some of the beautiful ancient sites of Christianity have been damaged, looted or destroyed during the conflict.

“Please pray for our people. Don’t forget them”, was an urgent plea from members of this community. Many farms have been destroyed and people displaced. The United Nations news report from the beginning of June, 2021, estimated that about 350,000 people in Tigray are at risk of famine. It is sad to hear. The “cradle of humanity” is at war, and many people are not aware of it.

The post Visit to the ‘cradle of humanity’ shared appeared first on NZ Catholic Newspaper.

Fr Alejandro de la Sotta, SVD, the chaplain of the Hispanic community in Auckland, and priest in East Coast Bays Catholic parish, was thinking of an alternative for chocolate eggs: something that doesn’t contain sugar and something that lasts longer than the sweet tradition.

During Lent, Fr de la Sotta asked people around him to give him succulent seedlings. These are small plants, easy to care for, but rich in symbolism. By the end of Lent, more than 100 succulent plants had been placed on the table at the back of the presbytery in Mairangi Bay.

Fr de la Sotta had found pots of different colours, filled them with soil and planted the succulents in them. Every day, he checked on the little plants.

On Easter Sunday, the pots with the plants were placed in front of the altar at St Francis de Sales (Torbay) and St John the Baptist (Mairangi Bay) churches.

At the end of Mass, the children were invited to come and pick a plant. However, the plants came with two conditions: only one child per family would get a plant and the child would have to commit themselves to look after the plant. Siblings would have the chance to share this responsibility.

The children were reminded that the plants represented hope and life, as the succulents were growing out of the dark soil. They represented faith that needs to be nurtured to survive and grow, and they represented love as they would grow with loving care.

Fr de la Sotta had cared for the plants during Lent. It was certainly not easy to let go, but the joy in the children’s eyes was a beautiful reward for his commitment.

The post A succulent Easter Sunday appeared first on NZ Catholic Newspaper.

The last event at Te Ngakau Waiora Mercy Spirituality Centre before its closure at the end of July concerned “Feeling a Divine Presence in the Light of different Faiths”. About 50 people attended.  

The July 29 event was organised by the Mercy Spirituality Centre in cooperation with the Auckland Interfaith Council (AIFC). 

 Ten speakers of different faiths reflected on the theme of “presence”. Ruth Cleaver, the AIFC president and Beate Matthies, the manager of the Mercy Spirituality Centre, welcomed the participants and speakers together. 

Ms Matthies, who is also the Catholic representative on the AIFC, commented that “presence” was often considered as rather mystical. Referring to the Bible, she mentioned the prophet Elijah’s search for the Almighty God in a great wind, in an earthquake or in a fire. God was in none of them. God was present in the silence. (1 Kings 19:11-13) 

The next speaker, Ram Lingam, recalled a little anecdote on a mistaken identity during his last visit to India. Mr Lingham, then turning to the topic, said that, in his Hindu tradition, human beings are always in the presence of the divine – and the divine is present in us. Therefore, the Indian greeting is “Namaste”, which translates to “I bow to the divine in you”. 

Diane Winder, an Interfaith/Interspiritual minister, said that the divine presence was everywhere, and that she felt it, for example, when walking in silence through the kauri trees. 

Paul Wilton, a Jewish speaker, explained the concept of believing that the world stands on three things: the Torah (God’s word), Avodah (worship, service of God) and Gemilut chasadim (acts of loving kindness). He concluded his speech with a song of praise. Everybody turned silent when he chanted in Hebrew. 

Imam Muhammed Shaakir had asked another member of his Muslim congregation to give a speech on the divine presence, according to Islamic traditions. Anzar Chida, a young man of Indian heritage, stated that we human beings could never understand what God is – God is always bigger than anything we would be able to understand. Mr Chida then recited a poem that he had written on his feeling about God. 

Harpreet Singh Kohli represented the Sikh community, and explained how he was meditating on one of the mantras: “Sing . . . Tuhi Tuhi Tuhi – This is you, this is you, this is you.” For the Sikh, the divine was inside of oneself. 

Muriel Samuela from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mentioned the importance of gathering to worship and the efforts to keep the Divine Covenants, especially to show love for one’s neighbour. 

Steve Drake, who represents the Baha’i Faith on the AIFC, shared his spiritual experience of a pilgrimage to a sacred place. It was a very special experience, and a strong feeling of love that will always stay with him. 

The last speaker of the evening was Rev. Ivica Gregurec from the Anglican Church in Auckland. Following on the notion of sacred spaces, he mentioned special places of presence in churches, shrines and sacraments – and people standing on holy ground. 

The Buddhist member of the Auckland Interfaith Council, Caitlin Bush, had provided a quote from the founder of Buddhism, which was printed on the leaflet that was given out to the participants: “If you wish to know the divine, feel the wind on your face and the warm sun on your hand.” 

The atmosphere during the event was relaxed and positive. People commented on the obvious love, camaraderie and fellowship amongst the council members. 

Other comments were that the evening was heart–filled, professional, interesting, enlightening and beautiful . . . the best yet, they said.  

The post Many faiths at final event held in centre appeared first on NZ Catholic Newspaper.

An interfaith prayer service on March 15 this year was hosted by the Anglican Holy Trinity Cathedral and attracted more than 250 people.

A line in the introductory prayer for the service expressed the purpose of the event: “Let there be joy in our coming together today and let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life.”

Bishop Kito Pikaahu (Anglican Bishop of Te Tai Tokerau) set the scene with a mihi whakatau. A waiata tautoko by the Auckland Anglican Maori Club was followed by words of welcome from the host, Rev. Anne Mills, the dean of the Cathedral and from Ruth Cleaver, the president of the Auckland Interfaith Council.

The first speaker was Anne Degia-Pala, QSM, who represented the Islamic Women’s Council of New Zealand (IWCNZ). She gave a reflection, which concluded with a prayer. When she mentioned the victims and their families, she could hardly hold back the tears.

However, everybody was drawn back to hope and joy when Rev. Josh Jones performed a song that he wrote in 2019: “This is the Day – Te Rangimarie”. When he picked up his guitar, he started singing: “Aotearoa peace is calling. In the bonds of love, we meet; for the world this day is dawning, it shines a light to greet.”

Further speakers and readers were of the Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish and Baha’i faiths, and the Sufi Order. The Sikh community contributed with sacred music.

Beate Matthies, the Catholic representative on the AIFC, recalled the encounter between St Francis of Assisi and Sultan Malik al-Kamil 800 years ago, and concluded with a variation on the prayer of St Francis (“Lord, make me a channel of your peace”) that Mother Teresa prayed when she addressed the United Nations in 1985.

The programme was wonderfully put together with a combination of prayers, reflections, music, silence and the lighting of candles.

The prayer service concluded with the New Zealand National Anthem and a blessing by Anglican Bishop Ross Bay.

In the light of Covid-19, it was decided not to have afternoon tea afterwards in a confined area. However, many participants socialised in front of the cathedral and enjoyed the sunshine.

The post Showing solidarity with March 15 victims appeared first on NZ Catholic Newspaper.

“Our world badly needs such models. On so many days now when I see the news headlines I often think how fortunate we are,” she said in Wellington last month.

Ms Clark was opening the new Religious Diversity Centre, which she will be patron of.

Ms Clark said the world badly needed voices of reason and tolerance and people willing to build dialogue and respect across faiths and beliefs. She thought New Zealand could show the way.

She said the role of faith-based actors had special significance in those parts of the world where governance structures were weak and the state could not give access to basic services and usual services.

Several weeks earlier, interfaith groups from all over New Zealand met in Auckland for the eleventh National Interfaith Forum. The main speaker was United States Episcopalian priest Victor Kazanjian.

Rev. Kazanjian spoke about the way “Perspectives shape our Lives”. We all have our perspectives, our lenses with which we see our world, he said. Among those which define our way of thinking are our upbringing, family ties, and our spiritual or secular beliefs.

When we stick too closely to what we see or want to see, we focus on one narrow perspective. However, every community has its beliefs, traditions and practices and if we can build bridges to other traditions and practices, we are able to embrace a beautiful diversity.

Differences should be seen as a promise, not a problem. The smallest of minority groups should be able to be heard and they should have the chance to be part of a vibrant, diverse community.

Professor Peter Lineham of Auckland said interfaith and global peace movements had been supported under previous governments, but the present Government had retreated from those local and global dialogues.

However, the fact that 50 per cent of all Aucklanders under the age of 50 were not born in New Zealand made interreligious dialogue more important than ever.

“It is not enough to eat each other’s food and watch each other’s dances,” he said. The migrant communities in New Zealand are more concerned about the dominant secular philosophy in this country, and how it will affect their culture, their lives and the lives of their children.

Professor Lineham warned that the costs would be high if no real efforts were made to bring these differing groups of people together.

Dr Anwar Ghani, president of the Waikato Muslim Community, spoke about how Muslim people seek understanding locally. The number of Muslims in New Zealand has increased from 6000 to 40,000 over the past 30 years, but their infrastructure is still the same. Prejudice and Islamophobia often make it impossible for Muslim immigrants and refugees to find a job, let alone a suitable job, even though many are highly qualified.

Islamophobia has its roots in foreign groups that carry out politics by treating their religion as an ideology. This aberration has to be overcome so that Muslims can feel that they are Muslims of New Zealand rather than just Muslims in New Zealand.

The forum heard that the Religious Diversity Centre should promote research, education and empathy among different religions and faiths and bring New Zealanders one step nearer to peace and understanding.

The post Religion in NZ gets some high-level backing appeared first on NZ Catholic Newspaper.

Members of the Auckland District Council of Social Services discuss the issue of responsible lending on November 25.

However, usury results in misfortune for the vulnerable who have no choice but to accept any conditions, no matter how unfair, that are imposed on them. It is a fact that the less money one has,
the more interest one has to pay for borrowing.
In recent years in New Zealand, there have been more and more cases of moneylenders demanding
exorbitant interest rates. This has impacted especially on those who find it difficult to obtain credit from the banks, and is a vicious circle that is difficult to break.
The Government is developing the “Responsible Lending Code” and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has been asking for suggestions and submissions from the public.
ADCOSS, the Auckland District Council of Social Services, held a workshop on responsible lending on
November 25. Three representatives from MBIE gave an opening presentation followed by Matt Halsey from Good Shepherd NZ (microfinance project manager).
MBIE has taken the first step towards reasonable lending practices.
The prepared guidelines outline binding lending principles for responsible lending. The main focus is on collecting information about the borrower. If a borrower cannot afford to repay, he or she should not be able to borrow and accumulate more debts.
One of the innovative options for those who are unable to access finance from a reputable source is the Good Shepherd NZ Microfinance model. The Good Shepherd Sisters started a “No Interest Loan Scheme” in Australia in 1981, focusing mainly on loans for essential household items. Those small loans were given without charging interest.
With contributions to the operational funding and pilot evaluation of the Ministry of Social Development, Good Shepherd NZ started in south Auckland. This project could grow and spread to other parts of the city or across New Zealand.
Two speakers set the scene for a following panel discussion and workshops. Peter Young from Home & Budgeting Services in East Tamaki gave insight into the daily experience of budget advisers. He expressed his concerns when interest rates reach 29.5 per cent a year or more, as this means for many
families unacceptable cuts to the family food budget.
Unfortunately, interest rates for “high-cost short-term credit” often include incredible conditions. He gave an example of an interest rate of 498 per cent a year.
Many people often don’t understand what the penalties could be if they cannot repay in time. Contracts were not explained to them.
Whoever signs a contract at these conditions must be misled, misinformed or absolutely desperate.
Although Mr Young welcomed the Government’s approach on responsible lending, the concern about responsible borrowing stays unanswered: “Surely it is not responsible to loan money to the poorest of our families at interest rates ranging from five times to 100 times the rate that you and I can borrow at?” he asked.
Peter Garrick, the convener of the Protection from Exploitation and Social Hazard Committee of the Auckland Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, agrees with Peter Young.
He came up with possible improvements, such as more financial literacy taught in schools and a 24-hour stand down period of due diligence for the purposes of securing budgeting or legal advice on the implications of the credit contract.
Some of the concerns coming from the workshops were a lack of control on interest rates and the safety of the information given to lenders. Transparency is needed for both sides.
Television ads that promote easy borrowing and showing what you can buy with credit are prevalent — but what about the pictures on what happens if you cannot repay your loans?
Maybe we need a campaign like the one against drink driving?
Prevention is always better than healing: Teach children to save money and how to operate a bank account, and provide education for everyone around the value of money.
• The deadline for submissions on the Responsible Lending Code is December 24, 2014.

The post Usury still a problem, social council finds appeared first on NZ Catholic Newspaper.