Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa

Auckland Bishop Stephen Lowe, president of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference asked Catholics to keep Archbishop Rugambwa in their prayers.

“It is with much sadness that we farewell Archbishop Novatus,” says Bishop Lowe. “The bishops acknowledge our deep gratitude for his services to the Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific. We pray for his safe travels to Rome and we invoke the prayers of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven, our New Zealand patroness, for his healing and continued wellbeing.”

Bishop Lowe noted Archbishop Rugambwa had overseen the appointment of bishops in five of the country’s six dioceses during his time here – Bishop Lowe in Auckland, Archbishop Paul Martin SM in Wellington, Bishop Michael Gielen in Christchurch, Bishop John Adams in Palmerston North and Bishop Richard Laurenson in Hamilton.

Archbishop Rugambwa was appointed the Apostolic Nuncio – the Pope’s chief diplomatic representative in New Zealand – in March 2019.

He suffered a stroke in October last year and has been recovering and undergoing rehabilitation in Wellington since.

Archbishop Rugambwa left Wellington accompanied by Sr Maria Ann Singer, LSP (Little Sisters of the Poor) and Fr Giosuè Busti, First Secretary-Deputy Head of Mission at the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See (papal embassy). He will continue his rehabilitation at a Catholic facility in Rome.

Some two years of Archbishop Rugambwa’s time in New Zealand encompassed the period of the Covid-19 pandemic, with churches often closed by government decree as a public health measure.

Archbishop Novatus has arrived in Rome the following day after a smooth journey.

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She joins Deacon Danny Karatea-Goddard, appointed in April 2022, as Māori Tumu Whakarae / Co-Chief Executive of the group.

Deacon Packer previously worked at Crown Law, specialising in public law. She is very familiar with the sisters’ mission, having served on the Mother Aubert Home of Compassion Trust Board and the Sisters of Compassion Group Board for several years.

She and her husband, Matthew, were recently ordained as deacons in the Anglican Church.

In her work in the justice sector, her governance responsibilities, academic study, and voluntary activities, she has remained committed to advocacy on behalf of the marginalised and to the pursuit of justice and reconciliation.

A morning pōwhiri was held at Our Lady’s Home of Compassion in Island Bay, to welcome the new CoCE Tumu Whakarae and other staff who have joined the Sisters of Compassion Group.

“It is a privilege to step into the role of Tumu Whakarae / Co-Chief Executive of the Sisters of Compassion Group at this time.

“I look forward to partnering with Compassion whānau to build on the strong foundation of prayerful and practical service established by Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert and faithfully embodied by the Sisters of Compassion and by supporters and volunteers over many years,” she said.

“I am very pleased to take up this opportunity and to help ensure the transformational work of Compassion continues to flourish in Aotearoa New Zealand, for the benefit of our communities and to the glory of God,” she added.

The Venerable Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert (1835-1926) founded the Daughters of Our Lady of Compassion (the Sisters of Compassion) in 1892.

Mother Aubert was a friend and advocate for Māori, children, the poor and the sick, with the Sisters continuing her work to this day. Among her many achievements, she founded the Compassion Soup Kitchen in Wellington which is still run by the Sisters.

The Sisters are at present considering their next step in Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert’s path to sainthood, which has been delayed by a Vatican committee ruling a possible miracle attributed to her could be explained by medical science.

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He takes over from Fr Bernard Espiritu, SVD, the national director since 2012.

The Pontifical Mission Societies are a group of four missionary bodies under the jurisdiction of the Pope via the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelisation. On December 2, 2022, Pope Francis appointed Italian Archbishop Emilio Nappa as adjunct secretary of the new Dicastery for Evangelisation, with the office of president of the Pontifical Mission Societies.

The societies connect local churches to the Catholic Church’s missionary work around the world. They are perhaps best known to most people for overseeing the World Missions Sunday collection on the third Sunday of October each year in all Catholic parishes around the world.

Fr Pui was ordained in Christchurch in 2000 by Bishop John Cunneen after a secular career as an engineer with the former Electricorp and Foundation for Research, Science and Technology. He has served as parish priest in several Christchurch diocese parishes, most recently at Good Shepherd, Hurunui, since 2020.

“I am taking up the position with some trepidation, and also with some sadness at the thought that I will no longer be a parish priest among my flock,” Fr Pui said.

“The role of the national director is far more than dealing only with the collection of Mission Sunday, or generating a revenue to fund mission work in the world.”

It includes promoting a missionary sense within local parishes, religious institutions and schools with particular attention to World Mission Sunday, and establishing a stable and good relationship with the bishop who liaises with MissioNZ within the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference, currently Bishop Michael Gielen, Bishop of Christchurch.

“I think in time I will be visiting all the parishes in New Zealand, on weekends!” Fr Pui said.

Bishop Gielen said: “Fr Michael has shown his great passion for mission, outreach and evangelisation in his priestly ministry. In this new role, he will carry that zeal around the country to serve the national Church, and ultimately the Church’s missionary efforts around the world.”

www.missionz.org

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Wellington (correction for Ohariu and Te Ngakau Tapu parishes January 31)

Archbishop Paul Martin, SM appointed Fr Dennis Nacorda as parish priest of the Catholic Parish of Wairarapa with Deacon Matthew White assisting him (Fr Nacorda).

Fr Bruce England will be parish priest of St Joseph’s (Levin) while Fr Alan Roberts will serve as parish priest of St Mary’s (Otaki).

Fr Isaac Songa, MF will be parish priest of Holy Family church (Porirua East) with Fr Nicholas Phone Myint, MF as assistant priest.

Msgr Gerard Burns is appointed parish priest at St Francis of Assisi Ohariu Parish, with Fr Alfred Tong as the assistant priest, and pre-seminarian John Quang in residence. Msgr Burns is also appointed as administrator at Te Ngakau Tapu parish with Fr Tong assistant parish priest at Te Ngakau Tapu parish.

Fr Patrick Bridgman will be the administrator of the Sacred Heart Cathedral parish. In residence at the Viard House is Fr Viator Muyuni from the Diocese of Bukoba, Tanzania for studies.

St Teresa’s (Karori-Wilton) parish priest will be Fr Joy Thottankara with pre-seminarian Long Tran in residence.

The Catholic parish of Wellington South will have Fr Ravi Kumar Voliganti as assistant parish priest with pre-seminarian Dyester Abo-abo in residence.

Fr Akuila Taliauli, SVD will be assistant parish priest at Te Wairua Tapu parish (Lower Hutt) while the Society of Divine Word will assume responsibility for the parish of Te Awakairangi (Lower Hutt) with Fr Raja Kommareddy, SVD as parish priest and Fr Uili Uvea as assistant priest.

Missionaries of the Sacred Heart will assume pastoral responsibility for the parish of Te Whetu o te Moana (Marlborough) with Frs Simione Volavola, MSC and Tavita Lemusu, MSC as parish priest and assistant priest, respectively.

The Holy Family Parish (Nelson-Stoke) will have Fr Noel Corcino, CJM as the assistant parish priest. Parish priest Marlon Tebelin will return home in September.

Fr Michael Bellizzi was appointed parish priest of the Our Lady of the Bays parish (Richmond-Motueka-Takaka) with Fr Jaya-Praveen Yenubari as assistant parish priest. Seminarian Emilio Capin will serve his pastoral year in this parish.

Archbishop Martin also announced the following changes in the diocese:

Fr Ron Bennett will retire as parish priest of Otari-Wilton and will become senior-priest-in-residence at the  Holy Cross Seminary in Auckland.

Fr Peter Roe, SM will conclude his contract as administrator of the Ohariu parish.

Fr Alliston Fernandes from the Archdiocese of Malta returns to Malta in March.

Frs David Orange and Michael McCabe have retired.

Fr Cirilo Barlis will take a leave of absence for the year and be returning to the Philippines.

Fr Seph Pijfers’ appointment will be announced at a later date.

Auckland

Bishop Stephen Lowe said the following clergy appointments will be effective on the first weekend of February.

Fr Rob O’Brien is appointed parish priest of Coromandel Peninsula and Hauraki Plains parish.

Fr Larry Rustia will become Flatbush assistant priest and Te Unga Waka parish priest.

Fr Pio Fong, SM will be the parish priest of Glenfield. Fr Alfredo Garcia will be on leave.

Fr James Walsh will serve as parish priest of Kaitaia.

Fr Tony O’Connor is appointed parish priest of Manurewa.

Fr Marchellino Park will serve as parish priest of Mt Albert while Fr Thomas Park will become assistant parish priest of Papatoetoe.

Fr Mathew Vadakkevettuvazhiyil will become parish priest of Papakura.

Seminarian Ryan Sy will serve his pastoral placement at the Owairaka parish.

In the meantime, Fr Nathaniel Brazil will return to Palmerston North diocese while Marist priests Patrick Breeze and Peter McAfee will move to Christchurch South Parish.

Hamilton

Newly-ordained Bishop Richard Laurenson informed the parishioners in his diocese of the clergy shifts that will take place soon to fill in the vacancy left by his appointment as bishop.

These appointments will be effective on February 7, 2024.

Fr Eamon Kennedy is appointed pastor of All Saints parish (Papāmoa Coast). Fr Philip Billing will be on weekend duty only as he is completing advanced studies.

Fr Matthew Gibson will be parish priest of St Anthony, St Paul (Huntly/Ngāruawāhia) in preparation for his advanced studies in 2025.

Fr Mark Field is appointed parish priest of St Mary (Gisborne).

Fr Tovio Iusitino will serve as parish priest at Holy Family (Morrinsville, Te Aroha, Paeroa).

Fr Stuart Young will be pastor of St Columba and Holy Name (Frankton/Raglan) while Fr Joseph George will serve as the parochial vicar. Fr Young and Fr George will also serve as pastor and parochial vicar, respectively, for the parish of Holy Cross (Hamilton).

“I would like to thank all of you for your prayers and support as I take on this new role given me by the Holy Father. I am grateful to my brother priests, all of whom whom were willing to accommodate themselves to the needs of the Diocese, especially those who agreed without demur to transfer of assignment,” Bishop Laurenson said.

Palmerston North

Bishop John Adams announced the clergy shifts in his diocese for the New Year, and thanked “all our priests who have agreed to be moved and who have so readily accepted these changes, and to the parishes that are ‘losing’ a priest”.

Fr Vui Hoang is appointed assistant priest of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit.

Fr Trung Nguyen becomes assistant priest of the Catholic Parish of New Plymouth.

Fr Vijay Dungdung will be assistant priest of the Catholic Parish of Hastings.

Fr Nathaniel Brazil is appointed parish priest of Immaculate Conception, Stratford, while

Fr Marcus Francis will be parish priest of the Catholic Parish of Hastings.

Christchurch

Bishop Michael Gielen’s appointment of priests will be effective from the first weekend of February, 2024.

Fr Rex Ramos will be administrator of the Hurunui parish.

Fr Huynh Tran will serve as parish priest of Hokitika.

Frs Do Nguyen and John Nixon Tholatt are appointed to Waimakiriri as parish priest and assistant priest, respectively.

Fr Tang Phan will serve as assistant priest at the Cathedral, as well as Vietnamese chaplain and Chatham Island assistant priest. Linh Cao will be on pastoral placement at the Cathedral.

Fr Vincent Barboza will be assistant priest of Timaru parish.

Fr Peter Costello will serve at Ashburton but will be semi-retiring.

Fr Michael Pui was appointed national director of the Pontifical Mission Society.

Dunedin

Bishop Michael Dooley said the following clergy appointments will be effective from the weekend of January 28 and 29, 2024.

Rev Gerard Aynsley is appointed parish priest of Invercargill Central, Georgetown Invercargill, and Western Southland pastoral area.

Rev Michael Hishon is appointed parish priest of the Dunedin South Pastoral Area.

Rev Sani Lam will serve as parish priest of the Gore Pastoral Area, while Rev Brendan Ward will be parish priest of the Alexandra pastoral area.

Rev Jaime Llaguna, MSP is appointed parish priest of Mosgiel/Green Island pastoral area, while Rev Eliseo Sangco, MSP will serve as the diocesan Filipino Chaplain and will reside in the Green Island presbytery.

Rev Jaewoo Lee will be the co-chaplain at the Dunedin Public Hospital and Wakari Hospital, and is appointed parish priest of Ranfurly parish. He will reside at the Kaikorai presbytery.

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Bishop Gielen, along with the Anglican Bishop of Auckland, Ross Bay, are representing New Zealand at the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM) conference.

The gathering is called Growing Together. More than 50 bishops, in pairs of Catholics and Anglicans representing 27 regions of the world, are taking part in the first such event since 2016. IARCCUM aims to foster closer co-operation between the Anglican and Roman Catholic traditions and to put into practice progress made in theological conversations.

Visiting holy sites, the bishops have been praying together, reflecting and learning from one another. There is an aspiration to discuss ways of growing together in joint witness and mission in the world.

Bishop Gielen said he has been inspired by the rich history of IARCCUM during the gathering.

“It has been a deep privilege to join with fellow bishops of our respective churches from around the world, hearing their stories and, in many cases, their profound challenges, while continuing to celebrate the Good News of Jesus Christ we share,” Bishop Gielen said.

Bishop Bay attended the last IARRCUM summit in 2016. He said walking alongside Bishop Gielen, with whom he serves as a co-chair of the local New Zealand Anglican-Catholic dialogue, has opened up opportunities.

“As a result of being together here I hope that we will grow in our commitment to express our unity in more tangible ways through our common mission,” said Bishop Bay.

Among the highlights of the gathering will be a liturgy for the participating bishops with Pope Francis and with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

On Thursday 25 January (Rome time), at the tomb of St Paul in Rome, Pope Francis and Archbishop Welby will commission the bishops “in pairs, to be witnesses to Christian unity”, before the bishops move to Canterbury from January 26 to 29 to discuss the future work of IARCCUM.

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Ther visitors – some of whom were leaving New Caledonia for the first time in their lives – wanted to spend time with children their own age immersed in a school environment with opportunities to engage in “English” conversations.

The children engaged in prayer time, classroom activities, shared mealtimes. and engaged in outdoor sports. Our school principal Sue Kubala very kindly organised a sausage sizzle for our visitors, and our children brought in food for a shared lunch.

The school reverberated with the sound of English and French being spoken. Google Translate was used to its maximum, and people remarked that it was interesting to see how communication was no barrier for the children. From both sides, there was manaakitanga, love, respect and acceptance. A great life experience and learning opportunity for both schools.

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This was the Mana Moana concert of folk songs from the Pasifika islands of Samoa, Cook Island, Fiji, Niue, Tokelau and the Kingdom of Tonga.

The Signature Choir is made of members from different Christian denominations and Pasifika communities.  The Catholic contingent was very proud to be part of this Mana Moana project and be in an ecumenical choir with members from the following denominations – Presbyterian, Methodist, AOG, Seventh Day Adventist, Morman, Congregational EFKS. These were all brought together to share their gifts from God, to share with the world, their culture, faith and talent.

: Wellington Catholics in the Signature Choir were Jessie Antonio (Catholic Parish of Wellington South (CPWS)), Tana Tupai (with cap-CPWS), Julian Tupai (CPWS), Elama Elama (CPWS), Leu Ulu (in front CPWS), Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa (Our Lady of Hope, Tawa), Melania Luka-Lui and Jadrah Tupai (CPWS). Absent is John Meli (Our Lady of Hope, Tawa and of course Fepuleai Helen Tupai is from CPWS and Pacific Island Presbyterian Church, Newtown PIPC.

Music directors Fepulea’i Helen Tupai and Jadrah Tupai come from the Pacific Island Presbyterian Church, Newtown and the Catholic Parish of Wellington South. Fepulea’i Helen Tupai is married to Tana Tupai, Jadrah’s older brother.

The 50 members from Wellington arrived on November 22 to join the 30 Auckland singers to form a 180-member choir, to perform with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

A sold-out crowd of over 7000 people coming from all over Auckland and New Zealand, came to support and witness a colossal performance of all proportion.  People danced in the aisles and near the stage, cheered on the choir and orchestra – described by many who attended as a moment of pheromonal pride.  As this was a one night only concert, the tickets sold out quickly from the success of the Wellington concert last year.

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He has invited people to pray about new cathedral location before consultation officially opens.

In a pastoral letter delivered in churches in December, Bishop Gielen stated that the world has changed since the 2019 decision to build a cathedral in Armagh Street. One of the changes noted is a rise in the cost of living.

Three potential sites have been identified for the new cathedral, the letter stated. These are the site at Barbadoes Street, the land at Armagh Street and Manchester Street (with the renovation of St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral).

“Each site has been approached considering its historical and spiritual significance, the capacity for the site to accommodate supporting facilities: a community and cultural centre, a priests’ residence, diocesan and parish offices, an adoration chapel, and possibly a school or schools. We also considered potential for future growth, accessibility and parking, and ultimately the financial viability of each site, remembering our wider financial commitments to all parishes in the diocese and the important responsibility to support those who have suffered while in Church care.”

The clear recommendation is that “we return to our humble and historical roots and locate our cathedral on Barbadoes Street”.

People were invited to spend a week of prayer, placing the intention of the cathedral location before God. This was to be followed by a three-month period of dialogue and discernment. A survey would be made available shortly before Christmas. The survey would be open until the end of March and would be one of the factors in the bishop’s final decision. There would also be parish group feedback sessions, as well other feedback and information given to the bishop from various groups.

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Before addressing the congregation, which filled the cathedral, at the end of the Mass, Bishop Laurenson had to clean his glasses.

“I had a speech prepared, but I can’t read it,” he said. “So, if I make a mistake, you will understand why.”

But the new bishop quickly regained his composure and gave a heartfelt and since speech, giving thanks to God and many people.

Bishop Laurenson acknowledged Kingi Tuheitia and mana whenua, and thanked his parents, family and friends for their love, friendship and support.

“To my brother bishops,” Bishop Laurenson continued, “thank you for your kind words of welcome and warm encouragement, as I started to discover what being a bishop means – strewth!!”

The new bishop smiled as he addressed his brother priests. “To my brother priests, I am sure many of you were consulted, and yet, still I was selected. So this is at least half your fault!!”

Bishop Laurenson interacts with people after the Mass.

This brought forth much laughter from clergy and laity.

“I hope and pray we can progress the cause of Christ together in this world,” Bishop Laurenson added.

“To the people of God in Hamilton,” he said, “I pray that I will be a good bishop for you and with you. Pray for me. Pray for your priests. Pray for more young men to respond to the call of the Lord.”

Bishop Laurenson then of his “model” and “guide”, St Richard of Chichester, a 13^th century bishop in England.

“Our journey on the waka of St Peter remains the same, even if the stars by which we navigate change over the years,” Bishop Laurenson said.

“In the great prayer attributed to St Richard, we discover the narrative of our journey, I think, together.

“To know him more clearly. A call to each and every one of us to pray daily and to meditate upon the Word of God. Knowledge of Scripture is knowledge of Christ. A call to refocus our catechesis, our RCIA and RCIC, our sacramental preparation; to ensure that these are parish-based encounters with Christ and not classroom lessons about Catholic things.

“To love him more dearly is a call to examine our parish worship and make it the best we can do. To examine our lives, repent of our sins and errors, and commit our lives to him. To forgive others and to give grace that the other may grow in love of God and neighbour. After all, Our Lord has done that for you and for me, and much more besides.

“To follow him more nearly. Since we pray every day, I hope, your will be done on earth as in heaven, we must seek his will in our lives and train ourselves to prefer his will over ours. It is a journey near and towards the cross of Christ, in which we find our hope, our salvation and our joy.”

The principal consecrator at the episcopal ordination was Auckland Bishop Stephen Lowe. Co-consecrators were Wellington Archbishop Paul Martin, SM, Christchurch Bishop Michael Gielen, Dunedin Bishop Michael Dooley, Palmerston North Bishop John Adams, Bishop Emeritus of Dunedin Bishop Colin Campbell, Bishop Emeritus of Auckland Bishop Patrick Dunn, and Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, Bishop Richard Umbers, who is a New Zealander.

Msgr Giosue Busti, the Charge d’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature, read out and showed the papal bulla in which Pope Francis appointed Bishop Laurenson.

In his homily, Bishop Lowe said it was fitting that the ordination should be on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

“This solemnity is about the unfolding of God’s plan for our salvation,” Bishop Lowe said.

“. . . Bishop Richard, today your ordination day, is not so much about you, but rather about the power of God, working through you. It is about Christ, who calls you to be his shepherd as bishop of the flock of Hamilton. As bishop, as shepherd, you must seek the stray with tenderness and lead them to the heart of our God, and in doing so, you are to make the words of Mary your own. . . . I am the servant of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me. . .”

Bishop Lowe noted that one that Bishop Laurenson had made to him “was that canon lawyers don’t usually get made bishops”.

“So I went to Pope John Paul’s Pastores Gregis – his exhortation on the bishop, servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World – and  I just googled Pastores Gregis, and without a word of a lie, the link opened up with these words that ask us to look to Moses as the figure of the bishop, as the friend of God and the pastor and the guide of his people.

“Moses was chosen and sent by the Lord, courageous and leading his people toward the promised land; faithful interpreter of the Word and law of the living God, and mediator of the covenant, ardent and confident in his prayer on behalf of his people.”

Bishop Lowe also stated that, “when Bishop Richard joined the rest of us bishops at our recent bishops’ conference, we were deeply moved by just how humble he was”.

“He realised the enormity of the task ahead of him. And he knew, like all of us know, our own weaknesses. But in the end, it is the Lord who calls us, it is not our choice.”

Bishop Lowe also noted that Bishop Laurenson is the first Bishop of Hamilton to have been born in the diocese.

At the start of the Mass, cathedral parish pastoral assistant Andrea Savage said that Bishop Laurenson “is very much tangata whenua in this place”.

He was baptised in the former church on the site – the Church of the Holy Rosary – and did all his schooling at local Catholic schools, St Mary’s, Marist Intermediate, and St John’s College.

In 1984, he was confirmed at Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Bishop Edward Gaines – the first bishop of Hamilton, and in 1995, he was ordained by Bishop Denis Browne, the second bishop of Hamilton, Ms Savage noted. Now his principal consecrator – Bishop Lowe – was the third bishop of Hamilton. And Bishop Laurenson is now the fourth.

Ms Savage added that the ring worn by Bishop Laurenson on the day was made from his late father’s wedding ring, and from the rings of both his grandmothers.

“Today we celebrate, but we also remember that the task ahead is huge. I’m sure the promise of each one of us is to support our bishop prayerfully and practically,” Ms Savage said.

After Communion, Bishop Laurenson walked up and down the cathedral blessing the people, while the hymn “Mo Maria” was sung.

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The celebratory dinner included staff members both past and present, supporters, and representatives from various agencies and organisations which work collaboratively with Monte Cecilia to help families in need.

“We were particularly happy to have in attendance members of the Sisters of Mercy and Society of St Vincent de Paul,” Monte Cecilia Chief Executive Vicki Sykes said. “As it was members of these two organisations, along with the Marist Brothers, who originally came together to launch Monte Cecilia, starting the legacy of compassion and community support that we have inherited.”

“It was wonderful to see so many figures from Monte Cecilia’s history come together, to celebrate the impact it has had on thousands of families over the years. It was great to hear inspiring stories from the people who were there doing the mahi.”

Monte Cecilia Housing Trust was originally founded in 1982, amid a sharp rise in homelessness due to inadequate tenancy protection laws. Monte Cecilia began its journey at the historic Monte Cecilia homestead in Hillsborough, which was capable of accommodating just eight families. Today, it has expanded to manage more than 600 homes, and provide much-needed wrap-around support to those in need.

The evening was not just a celebration of the past, but was also a forward-looking discussion about the future of Monte Cecilia, and work in the community housing sector.

“As the trust moves forward into its fifth decade of operation, it stands as a testament to the power of community and perseverance,” Ms Sykes said.

“From its humble beginnings to its significant present-day impact, Monte Cecilia Housing Trust is committed to continuing its legacy of hope and support to Auckland families. Our work enables us to fulfil our mission of Housing Justice for All.”

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