Light in the darkness - Vatican Easter in lockdown - pg 11 www.nzcatholic.org.nz - Beach ...
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NZ Catholic: April 19 - May 2, 2020 1
The national Catholic newspaper April 19 - May 2, 2020 • No. 587
Light in the darkness
Vatican Easter
in lockdown
– pg 11
www.nzcatholic.org.nz
2 NZ News NZ Catholic: April 19 - May 2, 2020
An Easter message from NZ Catholic’s publisher
I
f I had read last summer a science priorities. Hopefully, we will be pay- St John opens his Gospel with the
fiction novel about a super bug ing special attention to kindness and majestic, but mysterious, prologue:
that forced most of the world’s compassion towards those most in “In the beginning was the Word . . .
population to live in self-isolation need, starting with those in our own All things came into being through
bubbles, that crippled economies and families and neighbourhoods. him . . . And the Word became flesh
brought international travel to a halt, This crisis will also prompt many and lived among us, and we have
I may have enjoyed the book, but people to ask deeper questions, seen his glory.”
merely as a work of fiction. because human beings innately resist Following his conversion, St Paul
Now in Easter Week we know that the thought of personal extinction. could think of no one but Jesus: “I
the unimaginable has actually hap- Despite the fact that death eventually regard everything as rubbish because
pened. claims us all, our secret longing is of the surpassing value of knowing
Covid-19 has shattered the illu- that this is not the end of the story. Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians
sion that we are somehow invulner- Even secular funerals often let slip 3:8)
able. the hope that we will one day “meet During these Easter days, it would
We find ourselves feeling as help- again” with the deceased. be great if we could pray to see Jesus
less as our ancestors did when terri- The Easter story confirms this hu- more clearly so that we can work
ble plagues decimated local popula- man yearning for some new life, with more effectively as his missionary
tions, except that this one has global no more pain or suffering or tearful disciples when life gradually returns
tentacles. farewells. to normal, as it surely will over time.
Many of us in the post-coronavirus Easter also prompts us to reflect
era will be re-examining our personal more deeply on who Jesus is. — Bishop Patrick Dunn
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Note from the Editor
W
elcome to NZ Catho- their well-being. others like it will be able to be
SVDP meets lic’s second digital-on- The following response was printed.
food demand ly edition. As men- received from the ministry. When we are able to print, I
tioned in the previous issue, “The ministry does not agree plan to run several of the sto-
NZ Catholic does not qualify with your interpretation of ries that appeared in the digi-
p4 as an essential service under how the guidelines apply to tal editions as archive stories,
the criteria stipulated by the your situation and does not so that our print subscribers
Ministry for Culture and Her- agree that you meet the es- do not miss too much.
itage and the Prime Minister. sential services designation. At present all digital edi-
Therefore, we cannot produce We appreciate this is disap- tions are free. Free editions
a print issue. pointing in what is a stressful do not count against subscrip-
p17 NZ Catholic appealed to period for all.” tions. We hope to be able to
the ministry that we should So we are carrying on with get back to our office and to
be allowed to print for our another free digital edition. process subscriptions as soon
subscribers, some of whom We hope that we will be able to as possible. At present, the
would not be able to access resume printing the paper for position is that print editions
our digital editions. We put the our subscribers once the alert produced while we are unable
case that receiving our hard level is changed, possibly after to access our office are also
copy newspaper would help April 23. The Prime Minister free of charge. We will let you
our subscribers feel less isolat- will make an announcement know if that changes.
ed and more connected to the about the alert level going for- I hope you enjoy this digital
Online funeral
p5 Fr Clancy dies Catholic community. There- ward on April 20. We hope and edition of NZ Catholic.
fore, it would be of benefit to expect that our newspaper and — Michael Otto, Editor.
for parishioner
Ordination to priesthood postponed
by ROWENA OREJANA in Washington, DC, another in
a religious order in Colombia,
The decision to postpone and still another in the Rosmin-
the ordination to the priest- ian order in India.
hood of Deacon Trung Nguyen He said the people in Palm-
p8 Listening key for Church reform hit him hard, but the love that erston North diocese also sent
poured from the people of the him messages and emails,
p9 Former priory break in Palmerston North diocese, as most telling him to “hang on
well as from his own family, in there”.
p12 Cardinal Pell freed after High Court ruling has kept his faith strong. But he is most grateful to
“When I heard about it, I felt Bishop Owen Dolan, his first
sad. I had been waiting for a spiritual director in New Zea-
p20 Three first year seminarians long, long time for that day,” he land. He said Bishop Dolan
said. “I think, it’s human nature called him (Deacon Nguyen) as
(to feel sad). But for the safety soon as he (Bishop Dolan) heard
On the front cover: Pope Francis with a candle at of the people and all things
considered, like travelling, I
the news.
“He said to me, I come from
the Easter vigil Mass at St Peter’s Basilica on April 11. think it’s a good decision to Vietnam where, all through the
(CNS Photo) postpone the ordination.” history of the faith in Vietnam,
Deacon Nguyen was sup- we have been through challeng-
posed to be ordained as a priest es and persecution,” Deacon
St Dominic’s at the Cathedral of the Holy
Spirit on April 18. But Welling-
Deacon Trung Nguyen Nguyen said.
He added that Bishop Dolan
Catholic College ton Cardinal John Dew and Palmerston North pointed out that his (Deacon Nguyen’s) vocation
Vicar-general Msgr Brian Walsh talked to him journey was filled with challenges as well, first
Founded by the Dominican Sisters about it and they agreed it was best to postpone. with having to learn a new cu lture and now, with
Catholic School For Girls Years 7-13
“We will decide when to have the ordination this virus.
when the lockdown is finished,” Deacon Nguyen “In the end, he said to me that your vocation
said. “I still believe, in God’s plan, that day will will flourish like the faith in Vietnam. Because
• See regular updates on our college website come.” the challenges and the struggles made the faith
under COVID19 latest update. He said, with the virus still around, it doesn’t in Vietnam so strong. I reflect on it as well. The
seem possible for his family to fly here to witness difficult times make my vocation stronger. The
• Follow our student leaders on Instagram: his ordination. desire to be priest is more, compared to the past,”
“It’s funny because I have three brothers fol- he said.
St Doms2020. lowing the vocation as well, one in the States, Deacon Nguyen said he is with Msgr Walsh and
one in Colombia and one in India. Through this Msgr David Bell for the duration of the lockdown.
• We pray daily for all our college families. event, they are also always encouraging me and “It’s a good time to learn from these wise men.
we kind-of journeyed together, which means I am They have a lot of experiences in their pastoral
not alone,” he said. ministry, so now it’s time for me to learn from
www.stdoms.ac.nz One of his brothers is a diocesan seminarian them. Actually, it’s a good time,” he said.
NZ Catholic: April 19 - May 2, 2020 NZ News 3
Extraordinary Easter prompts words of hope
by ROWENA OREJANA
n Little distance
The New Zealand Catholic bishops Dunedin Bishop Michael Dooley reflect-
jointly and individually expressed the ed on the distance between Calvary and
message of hope that Easter conveyed, Jesus’ tomb which he saw on a trip to the
reminding all Catholics that Jesus called Holy Land in 2014.
on us to “be not afraid”, and that he (Je- In his homily at the Easter Vigil Mass,
sus) has triumphed over the “lockdown Bishop Dooley said he was struck by
of the tomb”. the fact that Calvary, the place of Jesus’
In a statement signed by all the bish- death, fit into the same church where
ops, they acknowledged that this Easter Jesus’ tomb was, the Church of the Holy
“has been one that we’ve never experi- Sepulchre.
enced before”. “The place of Jesus’ death and the
“We have felt the pain of not being able place of his Resurrection are very close.
to celebrate together the Easter liturgies That’s not only a geographical point. In a
in our local churches. Some of you were spiritual sense, Calvary and the place of
looking forward to being baptised or re- Resurrection can be very close together
ceived into the Church at Easter, and this in our own lives,” he said. “Suffering and
is yet to happen,” they said. Bishop Michael Dooley Bishop Stephen Lowe death reside next to joy and hope and
“The future, for many, appears uncer- new life.”
tain or even dire. In the meantime, we are He said, in this pandemic, the suffering
continuing to have the tomb experience of being he turns the tables on us and wipes out our sins of Calvary is close to the people and the reality
locked down at home and we know, for many and opens for us the road to heaven. of death is on our minds.
families, that this situation is becoming difficult Bishop Martin said we have “an inexplicable But the many selfless acts of generosity and
and stressful.” God”. service bring hope.
They said this lockdown has provided the “We have a God who breaks all the rules. We “This is God’s grace working in our world. As
Church with a quiet time to reflect on our lives have a God, who, in the face of a catastrophe, Christians on this very sacred night, we celebrate
and the way we live. turns it into the greatest possible good for hu- that there is very little distance at all between us
“Our hope and prayer is that, when we leave mankind. This is the reason we rejoice.” and God’s gift of resurrection and glory,” he said.
the tomb of lockdown, we will work together
as a community to build a better Church and n Life after Covid-19 n Easter people
society. Our hope is that we will all be stronger Wellington Cardinal John Dew said Covid-19 Auckland Bishop Patrick Dunn, in his Easter
in our relationships with one another and in our has brought a “deep darkness . . . devastating message to parishioners, said the first reference
appreciation of the gift of life,” they said. darkness for thousands” as well as despair and to the Resurrection in the New Testament is actu-
“Our hope is for a society that is not driven hopelessness for those affected. ally in St Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians where St
by profiteering, but works for the common good He said, while the number of deaths might be Paul had to definitively tell them that Jesus rose
as we together rebuild our nation’s economy. small, there are thousands who have lost their from the dead.
Our hope is that we will be a society that is more jobs and now wondering how they will manage Bishop Dunn said that, late in the day of the
aware of the tangible presence of God who jour- financially. first Easter Sunday, the apostles were in lock-
neys with us on the paths of life. Our hope for “Living in the silence, in the darkness of down, terrified because their lord was executed
the Church is that we will be more ardent in our lockdown, with uncertainty and anxiety is never as a terrorist and fearing that they will face the
faith, hope, love and service.” easy,” he said. same fate.
With the country in lockdown, many of the The cardinal said Jesus showed us that it is Then, the apostles became conscious of his
faithful gathered around their devices to pray in the way we serve and care for others that we presence in the room with them and heard his
with priests or bishops as each day of Lent was bring light into the world. familiar voice.
celebrated. In his Easter Vigil Mass homily, Cardinal Dew “It was the dawning of a new age. They were to
Many of the traditions were missed, like the said Jesus rising from the dead is God’s promise be missionary disciples now to take the message
blessing of the palms on Palm Sunday, washing of kept. of this new age to the ends of the earth. And that’s
the feet on Holy Thursday, as well as veneration “That’s the promise of God. He will not leave our mission, too,” the bishop said.
of the cross on Good Friday. us in darkness. He will always be with us,” Car- Bishop Dunn said there is something in the
dinal Dew said. “God keeps his promises. He has human heart that longs to live forever. He said
n Trust in his voice risen as he said he would.” this is the message that the early Christians
Hamilton Bishop Stephen Lowe had been cel- Cardinal Dew said Mary Magdalene and the dis- brought to the world.
ebrating daily Mass on-line since the lockdown ciples didn’t know what the world would be like He said in these times of uncertainty, we bring
started. after the Resurrection, just as we don’t know what a message of hope.
On Easter Sunday, he addressed children in the world is going to be like after the pandemic. “That’s the great message of Easter, that we
his homily. “For us, there will be life after Covid-19, be- have a future,” the bishop said. “St Augustine,
Holding an Easter egg up, he explained how cause Jesus, the Risen One, stands with us and one of his great phrases was, ‘we are an Easter
the chicken inside the egg is in “a lockdown”, just says, ‘do not be afraid’. God keeps his promises,” people. Alleluia is our song’ . . . We are called
as Jesus was locked in a dark tomb. he said. to live happily ever after. Jesus walks with us.”
Pope postpones traditional Good
He said he wondered if the chicken would be-
lieve, if the children told the chicken that it will
be born to a bright and wonderful world.
“If we are talking to the chicken in the egg,
Friday collection until September
we’d have to say, trust me. Believe me. There is
a whole new world you are coming into,” Bishop
Lowe said. “And that is the same with our faith in
Jesus. We believe what Jesus said to us . . . that
Jesus is risen.” VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis has post- which uses it for the formation of candidates
Addressing the older parishioners, Bishop poned the traditional Good Friday collection for for the priesthood, the support of the clergy,
Lowe reminded them that life is a mystery. the Holy Land to September. educational activities, cultural formation and
“[that is what our faith asks us to believe] The Vatican announced on April 2 that the subsidies.
. . . to look beyond the locked-down, closed-down Pope approved a proposal to hold the collection The 2019 collection totalled more than US$8.2
mind or heart that we have, our inability to un- in churches worldwide on September 13. million.
derstand, but to trust in his voice. It is the voice “The Christian communities in the Holy Land,
of the Son of God who says, ‘I am the resurrection while exposed to the risk of contagion and of-
and the life. Whoever believes in me shall have ten living in very trying circumstances, benefit
everlasting life’,” he said. every year from the generous solidarity of the ST. PETER’ S COLLEGE
faithful throughout the world, to be able to con- EPSOM, AUCKLAND
n Rule-breaking God tinue their evangelical presence, as well as to A CATHOLIC SCHOOL FOR BOYS
Christchurch Bishop Paul Martin, SM, said we maintain schools and welfare structures open to
must not allow the enjoyment of Easter Sunday all citizens for education, peaceful coexistence
to “obscure what this great day is about”. and care, especially for the smallest and poorest
“We must realise that the first Easter day was ones,” the Vatican said.
the most decisive intervention of God into our The Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, an • Online learning resumes
world,” he said. administratively autonomous province of the Monday 20 April
He said there was a long lead-up to this inter- Franciscan order, uses the collection to carry
vention wherein God sent prophets to teach his out its mission of preserving most of the shrines
(God’s) people, until he sent his only Son to bring connected with the life of Jesus, as well as for • Stay safe everyone!
the good news to his people. providing pastoral care to the region’s Catholics,
“Having maltreated the prophets, the so-called running schools, operating charitable institutions
chosen people went on to do the most despica- and training future priests and religious.
ble thing that ever happened, and they put to The collection, taken up at the request of the
ST PETER’S COLLEGE BUILDS OUTSTANDING MEN
death God’s only Son,” he said. “And how does Pope, is administered by the Franciscan Custo- ST-PETERS.SCHOOL.NZ @SPCNOW
God respond? Instead of unleashing his wrath, dy and the Congregation for Eastern Churches,
4 COVID-19 NZ Catholic: April 19 - May 2, 2020
SVDP acts to meet soaring food demand
by MICHAEL OTTO
The Society of St Vincent de Paul in Auckland
has geared up to meet a soaring demand for food
parcels from stressed households during the
lockdown.
SVDP Auckland general manager Delphina Soti
told NZ Catholic that, as of April 8, the society had
established 12 Vinnies foodbank “satellites” ser-
vicing families from Hibiscus Coast through to
Pukekohe. The society’s Newton foodbank had
to close to the public because of lockdown re-
strictions.
Ms Soti said that more than 1016 families had
been given food boxes up to April 8. Each box is
valued at $90 and the aim is that one box will
feed a family of four over five days.
“With bigger families, we add extra boxes,” Ms
Soti said. The boxes are dropped off at people’s
houses.
The “satellites” operate out of the homes
of volunteers, which have been equipped
with chillers and freezers for bulk meat, dairy
and fresh produce, Ms Soti said. Bulk stock is Loading up the food boxes
dropped off to the satellites from a central base.
Most satellites can stock up to 50 family food the service to grow its operation legally and has
boxes at any one time. also facilitated necessary travel by staff and vol-
Ms Soti said that dozens of volunteers, mainly unteers, as well as providing recognition by the
young Vinnies, have come on-board to help with community and by larger providers of foodbank
this work. The operation started with six staff services in Auckland.
and two volunteers and had grown to a volunteer While there are challenging aspects of this
base of around 42 people, mainly young people, work – such as health and safety management, in-
by April 8. formation processing and the volume of requests
Running the whole operation is quite complex, – “for many who are working and volunteering,
Ms Soti said. there is a deep sense of purpose and gratitude
“Each of these satellites also comes complete to be able to do this work”.
with strict health and safety protocols and pro- “It hasn’t been hard to keep going, it is an ex-
cesses. citing time. These young volunteers would prefer
“A coordinator is assigned to each of these sat- to be out working with their friends assisting
ellites, and they liaise with the main hub of team families rather than sitting at home,” Ms Soti said.
leaders who receive the calls and emails from “Most evenings when the mahi [work] has
family members and social services providers been done, these young people gather on zoom
seeking assistance. to pray, debrief and share their experiences and
“There is now a triage team of three who carry talk about their faith.
out phone assessments and make referrals to “There is a real sense of being called to this
professional social service providers. There is work together as a community. The comradeship,
also a team dedicated to stock and logistics, a the sharing of skills, the allowing of everyone to
communications team, satellite drivers who de- bring their gift to the table to assist those in need
liver the food and even a face-to-face team who of support is inspirational and fulfilling.”
connect in with family members who have sought But Ms Soti said there are some concerns going
food assistance and have requested someone to forward, as the society’s foodbank in Auckland
check up on them.” has used up its winter stock already. Needs usual-
Being designated as an essential service has ly peak in winter and, given the number of people
been a huge help, Ms Soti said. This has allowed who have lost jobs, the demand will be greater.
“We worry that we may not be able to support
Papakura parish
most of these vulnerable families adequately.”
And with Covid-19-related restrictions in force,
the society is unable to run its op-shop, which is
thankful for recovery
its usual source of income. The society has had
to buy in supplies to keep up with demand.
Help has been forthcoming so far from various
by ROWENA OREJANA quarters, including a grant for $20,000 from the
Auckland diocese Catholic Caring Foundation,
Papakura parish priest Fr Peter Murphy is as well as other “generous donations” that have
thankful no cluster had formed around the pa- come through the Vinnies Feed A Family during
rishioner who had contracted the coronavirus Covid-19 Appeal.
from a trip to the United States. Ms Soti said there are also the daily bulk dona-
“He is fine. He had recovered by the time tions of perishable goods from Kiwi Harvest and
the news broke,” Fr Murphy said. “He was a the Auckland City Mission. Funds have also come
Minister of Communion on the Sunday after he from various Auckland SVDP councils.
returned from the US and the five people who Donations of funds, supermarket vouchers and
received from the cup after him were required bulk food supplies are welcome.
to self-isolate, but they were all fine.” BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS. Soc of St Vincent De
International bloodstock agent John Curtin Paul AK 12-3017-0500224-00.
and his wife went into voluntary self-isolation Any enquiries can go to Feedafamily@stvin-
after he tested positive for the virus. Both are nies.co.nz Claudia and Laura McLellan load food boxes
fine, Fr Murphy said.
“John thought he had the flu, and it was
only when he found out that his contact back
in the US had died that he decided to have
Church agencies lend a hand
himself tested, and by then he was virtually n As of March 31, the Wellington Vinnies had expe- n Catholic Social Services in Auckland diocese is an
recovered,” Fr Murphy said. rienced a 380 per cent increase in people accessing essential service providing crisis support for people who
Mr Curtin, who was interviewed by TV One, food support in the first week of the lockdown. They are are unsafe. As of April 15, with an overall caseload of over
was one of the earliest patients recorded by doing similar essential delivery work to the Auckland 300, social workers are actively managing 150 clients.
the Ministry of Health to have contracted the Vinnies. https://www.vinnies-wellington.org.nz/donate More social work assessments are being undertaken.
disease. He was designated as patient number CSS is working closely with SVDP in Auckland diocese
six. n The Compassion Soup Kitchen in Wellington in accessing food parcel for clients. CSS counsellors
In that interview, he said he got tested after has closed its communal dining area, but it is an es- are actively working with 62 clients and are undertaking
one of the guests at a dinner he attended in sential service and is handing out meals at its door. It further client assessments.
New York died from the disease. The guest has changed from serving two meals a day in favour of n As of April 6, the Catholic Caring Foundation in
was John Brennan, a prominent figure in the one larger meal each day. As of March 31, the number Auckland had raised $84,370, plus an additional $10,000
racing community. of people accessing its services had doubled from the from the Tindall Foundation. The income will provide crit-
Mr Curtin, on the other hand, was sick for number before the lockdown. https://www.soupkitchen. ical funding to help people under pressure in the coming
only a day. org.nz/donate/ weeks and months. https://secure.fundraiserpro.com/
donate/catholiccaring/
NZ Catholic: April 19 - May 2, 2020 COVID-19 5
Requiem Mass watched online by family
by MICHAEL OTTO online Masses and spoke to Fr Nolan about the
burial scheduled for the next morning.
A requiem Mass for a beloved Ashburton parish- “Fr Denis offered to celebrate the requiem Mass
ioner was joined in prayer by extended family and and they chose to have the two events taking place
friends online from their homes, as their loved one at the same time,” Mrs Daly said.
was being buried with no family or friends present The extended family had already joined in
because of Covid-19 restrictions. prayer over the Internet as Mrs Tod was dying.
Noreen Tod, 82, who died on April 1 at Ashbur- Mrs Daly said that Kathleen told her that the
ton Hospital, was a well-known and much-loved online requiem was a great substitute, given the
parishioner of St Augustine of isolation rules.
Canterbury parish in Mid-Can- “The family did not feel alone.
terbury. Prayer and messages were com-
She was well known to many ing in to the family. She (Kath-
clergy, as she had started cooking leen) received much positive
for priests when she was 17. feedback afterwards. The family
Born in Southland, she went wished to be praying with the
to Napier/Hastings, where she Mass, even though they couldn’t
cooked for Marist priests, and physically be together, they were
after marrying Charlie Tod (now able to be connected. That was
deceased) in 1964, they moved to very important to the family,”
Ashburton. Mrs Daly said.
Marianne Daly, who works When life returns to some-
for Christchurch diocese, told thing closer to normal, and the
NZ Catholic that priests Mrs Tod virus is under control and re-
cooked for over the years includ- strictions are lifted, the family
ed the current Bishop of Ham- hopes to gather for a Memorial
ilton, Bishop Stephen Lowe, Fr Mass and to continue sharing
Rick Loughnan, Fr Bill Grounds, more in a larger gathering about
Msgr James Harrington and Fr Mrs Tod’s life, her gifts, and her
Peter Farrant. Noreen Tod A family member watches the requiem Mass online.
service.
A mother of two children, One of the things that will
grandmother of eight and great-grandmother of likely be fondly remembered is her home-grown eternal home.”
one, “she was always a very active member of the potatoes, which were a favourite at family reunion Mrs Daly added that A Book of the Names of the
parish”, Mrs Daly said. Mrs Tod was a cousin of in January. Faithful Departed is being created by the Christ-
Mrs Daly’s husband. Mrs Daly expects there will be more funeral ser- church diocese during the time of isolation. At the
Mrs Tod was buried at 10.30am on April 2 at vices conducted with family and friends watching end of this crisis, the book is going to be bound
Ashburton Cemetery, and the requiem Mass was online and praying in their homes. and a copy will be given to all parishes, so it can
celebrated at the same time by Fr Denis Nolan and “The prayer of the Church is integral to our be used in Memorial Masses. During the lock-
Fr Huynh Tran. very being, in life and in death. We are finding down, Masses will be celebrated by parish clergy
The decision to make the Mass viewable online ways to care for our people and Noreen’s passing in private for deceased parishioners, even when
through Facebook came about after Mrs Tod’s gave us a start. Joining in the celebration of the sharing this online is not possible, Mrs Daly said.
daughter Kathleen approached Fr Nolan, her par- Mass was a source of consolation to the family “Our care for the bereaved family and friends
ish priest. Kathleen had been aware of diocesan as our prayers accompanied her journey to her will continue.”
Preparation key in Pacific Islands
by NZ CATHOLIC staff itas works with several grassroots
organisations across the Pacific and
In the Pacific, while many nations around the world to assist devel-
are not experiencing large Covid-19 opment and emergency response
case numbers, local community efforts. Their long-standing relation-
groups are already mobilising to ships with these communities allow
prevent and prepare for the growing them to act quickly to respond to
pandemic. local needs in the face of the growing
One such group is the Kiribati pandemic.
Health Champions, composed of “While there aren’t many reported
women and young adults who have COVID-19 cases in the Pacific, we
spent the last 18 months delivering know that the pandemic spreads rap-
nutrition training in Kiribati’s capi- idly in the kinds of places and events
tal atoll of Tarawa and some of the which are so important to families
nation’s outer islands. As the threat and communities in our region,” said
of the pandemic grows in the region, Caritas director Julianne Hickey.
a group of 31 Health Champions — “Right now, we are working with
briefed by the Kiribati Public Health our local partners in these commu-
Service — are now building aware- nities to share public health mes-
ness about virus transmission and sages and prevent the spread of the
prevention techniques throughout disease.”
Tarawa’s densely populated com- Most communities are focused
munities. on conveying consistent public
In Papua New Guinea, a long- health messaging, raising aware-
term volunteer stationed there is ness of personal hygiene and virus
working closely with the Diocese of transmission, gathering emergency
Rabaul and the Vunapope Hospital resources and distributing life-sav-
to support community prevention ing sanitation supplies.
activities. Caritas is currently supporting
The Social Empowerment and Covid-19 prevention and response
Education Programme (SEEP) in Suva, activities led by 13 organisations in
Fiji is delivering key messaging and 10 countries, mainly in the Pacific,
Pandemic Appeal
hygiene products to ten villages, through funds raised by their Pan-
which would otherwise receive lim- demic Appeal.
ited resources. Donations are accepted online at
These initiatives are supported by caritas.org.nz or by phone at 0800
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand. Car- 22 10 22.
Help us support vulnerable communities
as they prepare for and respond to the
Visit our website: COVID-19 pandemic.
www.nzcatholic.org.nz 0800 22 10 22 www.caritas.org.nz
6 Opinion NZ Catholic: April 19 - May 2, 2020
Imagining life after Covid-19
T
o think of life after Covid-19 is daunting. finds expression in the way that the individuals
The changes that it has brought to our daily and community are valued, and to the relationship
lives have been vertiginous. Our awareness between the local and the global.
of its potential harm is still limited. We are only The regnant neoliberal construction makes
beginning to catch sight of the grim beast that economic growth the mark of a good society, and
slouches towards us threatening death and dev- free competition by individuals and corporations
astation in coming months. central to that goal. Individuals’ value lies in their
Nevertheless, with so much rebuilding of contribution to economic activity.
society that will need to be done, and so many Critics of this emphasis on the determinative
opportunities that will present themselves for priority of economic activity insist that all human
shaping a better society, we do need to think beings have a personal value that does not depend
beyond the present. on their virtue or their participation in the econ-
Some possibilities are evident, even in the omy. They are persons, not individuals. These
disruption caused by our response to the threat. critics emphasise, too, how important are the
One of the most surprising features of that re-
sponse has been flexibility, even in the face of
visceral convictions. It is seen particularly in the
abandonment of the economic ideology accepted
by both major parties in Australia.
Andrew Hamilton
This equates the national good with economic
growth. It centralises the freedom of competitive varied and deep relationships that enable persons
A man wearing a protective mask prays at the Metropolitan
individuals in a free and minimally- regulated to grow within communities. This interlocking set
Cathedral in Managua, Nicaragua on March 22, 2020, amid
market. The role of government is to support the of relationships gives all people a responsibility
the coronavirus pandemic. (CNS photo)
market by balancing their lean books, privatising to contribute to the larger community, and espe-
community assets, and bullying individuals who cially to its most vulnerable members. From this
cannot compete in society. perspective, the goal of government is to promote between communities dominates.
This view of the world is deeply held. Yet the growth of all persons in society, especially the Seen from this perspective, the response to the
within a week or two, the Australian government most vulnerable. Economic growth is important, Covid-19 crisis has shown how corrosive to good
has been persuaded to go heavily into debt, to but it is subservient to that goal. It must respect society the current ideology of governments has
prop up no-longer competitive businesses, to the other relationships that make a good world. been. The response has accepted that economic
consider nationalising them if necessary, to give development is a means to deeper goals of soci-
money to people who are unemployed, and make n Local ety, that people are more than competitive indi-
it easier for people suddenly unemployed to ac- The second important relationship is between viduals, and that the good order — and now the
cess benefits, and to listen to experts other than the universal and the local. Where economic survival — of societies depends on trust and coop-
party-line economists in framing policy. All these growth led by individual freedom is the goal, the eration between persons and their communities.
measures effectively subordinate the economy to ideal world is seen as a single market in which When reflecting on the society that we wish
the health of the community. Though the change competitive individuals and corporations should to build after coronavirus, we need to go beyond
is explicable and commendable, I find surprising be able to compete freely, co-operate freely, sell rebuilding the priorities and the ways of working
the lack of resistance to the betrayal of such a freely and profit freely. From this perspective, the that were there before. They were clearly inade-
deeply-rooted ideology. local becomes essentially a brand name devised quate. The challenge will be to resist the pressure
to sell the same goods to different regions. to return to business as usual, and to incorporate
n Change Critics of this view emphasise the overrid- into our thinking about the economy and our
These and other such changes to conventional ing importance of local relationships central to shaping of society what we have learned of the
wisdom, such as the encouragement to work from personal identity. These flow into broader rela- importance of co-operation, communication, trust
home, will create a demand for broader change. tionships in groups based on culture, religion, and generosity — in a word, love.
This will be resisted because of an abiding political views, interests and so on. They reach out Andrew Hamilton, SJ, is consulting editor of www.
conflict between different priorities given to the further to the relationships that make up nations eurekastreet.com.au where this article was originally
economy and to the wider culture. This difference and a world in which respect for persons and trust published. It is republished here with permission.
Ronald Rolheiser
The dispelling of an illusion
W
e don’t much like the word “disillu- Generally, such too is the vagueness of our A lot of people relearned the meaning of prayer
sionment”. Normally we think of it as a sense of vulnerability. Yes, we know abstractly that day. A lot of us are relearning the meaning
negative, something pejorative, and not that we are vulnerable, but generally we feel pret- of prayer as we sit quarantined at home during
as something that does us a favour. And yet dis- ty secure. But as this virus spreads, consumes our this coronavirus.
illusionment is a positive; it means the dispelling newscasts and brings our normal lives to a halt, Richard Rohr suggests that the passage from
of an illusion and illusions, unless we need one our sense of vulnerability is no longer a vague, childhood to adulthood requires an initiation
as a temporary tonic, are not good for us. They abstract threat. We’re now much more aware that into a number of necessary life-truths. One of
keep us from the truth, from reality. we all live at the mercies of a million contingen- these can be summarised this way: “You are not
There are many, many negatives to the current cies, most over which we have little control. in control!” If that is true, and it is, then this
coronavirus that’s wreaking a deadly havoc across However, in our defence, our innate sense coronavirus is helping initiate us all into a more
the planet. But there’s one positive: Against every that we’re in control and can safeguard our own mature adulthood. We are becoming more con-
form of resistance we can muster, it’s dispelling safety and security should not be too-hastily and scious of an important truth. However, we may
the illusion that we are in control of our lives and too-harshly judged. We can’t help it. It’s the way not see any divine intent in this.
that, by our own efforts, we can make ourselves we’re built. We’re instinctually geared to hate our Every fundamentalist voice that suggests
invulnerable. That lesson has come upon us un- weaknesses, our vulnerability, our limitations that God sent this virus to teach us a lesson is
invited. This unforeseen and unwelcome virus is and our awareness of our own poverty, and are dangerously wrong and is an insult to true faith.
teaching us that, no matter our sophistication, instinctually geared to want to feel secure, in Still, we need to hear God’s voice inside of it.
intelligence, wealth, health or status, we’re all control, independent, invulnerable, and self-suffi- God is speaking all the time, but mostly we aren’t
vulnerable, we’re all at the mercy of a thousand cient. That’s a mercy of grace and nature because listening; this sort of thing helps serve as God’s
contingencies over which we have little control. it helps save us from despondency and helps us microphone to a deaf world.
No amount of denial will change that. to live with a (needed) healthy pride. But it’s also Illusions aren’t easy to dispel and for good rea-
Granted, at one level of our consciousness an illusion; perhaps one that we need for long pe- sons. We cling to them by instinct and we general-
we’re always aware of our vulnerability. But riods in our lives, but also one that, in moments ly need them to get through life. For this reason,
sometimes after we have walked a dangerous of clarity and lucidity, we’re meant to dispel so Socrates, in his wisdom, once wrote that “there
ledge for a long time, we forget the peril and are as to acknowledge before God and to ourselves is nothing that requires as gentle a treatment as
no longer aware of the narrowness of the plank that we’re interdependent, not self-sufficient, and the removal of an illusion”. Anything other than
upon which we’re walking. Then too our sense of not ultimately in control. Whatever else about this gentleness only makes us more resistant.
our vulnerability to a hundred million dangers virus, it’s bringing us a moment of clarity and This coronavirus is anything but gentle. But
is, like our sense of mortality, normally pretty lucidity, even if this is far from welcome. inside all of its harshness, perhaps we might feel
abstract and not very real. We all know that, like We were given the same lesson, in effect, with a gentle nudge that helps us dispel the illusion
everyone else, we are going to die one day; but the downing of the Twin Towers in New York City that we are in control.
normally this doesn’t weigh very heavily on our on September 11, 2001. In witnessing this single Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser, theologian, teacher,
consciousness. We live instead with the sense that tragic incident, we went from feeling safe and and award-winning author, is president of the Oblate
we’re not going to die just yet. Our own deaths invulnerable to knowing that we are not able, School of Theology in San Antonio, TX. He can be
aren’t really real to us. They are not yet an immi- despite everything we have achieved, to ensure contacted through his website www.ronrolheiser.com
nent threat, but only a distant, abstract reality. our own safety and the safety of our loved ones. Follow on Facebook www.facebook.com/ronrolheiser.
NZ Catholic: April 19 - May 2, 2020 Opinion 7
Living in a long The Habit
Holy Saturday
I
n an article written earlier on in the Covid-19
pandemic crisis, US Bishop Robert Barron ref-
erenced a statement by the great 17th century
philosopher Blaise Pascal: “All of humanity’s
problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly
in a room alone.”
The bishop explained that Pascal was referring
to humanity’s propensity to distract itself from
what really matters — most of the time — by a
series of diversions.
But under lockdown conditions, many diver-
sions are in short supply — or are not available
at all.
Each day feels like a type of sabbath of the
old school. The major difference for Christians
at this time, in many places, is that there are no
gatherings to worship God on Sundays.
It should not be forgotten that the sabbath was
made for humans, not humans for the sabbath; so
the Son of Man is Lord even of the sabbath. (Mark
2:27-28). As the Second Vatican Council noted:
“The institution of the Lord’s Day helps everyone
enjoy adequate rest and leisure to cultivate their
familial, cultural, social, and religious lives.”
(Gaudium et Spes, 67). Under current conditions,
the opportunities for such cultivation are dimin-
ished. There is much opportunity for rest, there
is less for leisure as most are used to.
On the sabbath following the Lord’s passion
Abortion
and death, his disciples rested, as required by the and the Church partic-
Law. (Luke 23:56).
Even though the Church is now in Eastertide,
Letters ularly can learn a great
deal from this fervour
It was a very sad day for and realisation of danger
many could feel they are still living in a type of
Streaming
Covid-19 pandemic. New Zealand on March 18 in our midst. For we too
Holy Saturday, resting at home, as required by the Looking ahead to face an invisible enemy
law. Many are waiting to flock to their churches when Parliament passed
2021, the Archbishop of the horrendous changes whose effects are more
again, to participate fully in the Eucharist, the Canterbury, Justin Welby, far-reaching than a virus.
This lockdown has to the abortion law by 68
source and summit of the Christian life. said: “When we come to- votes to 51. All that was Can anything other than
led my wife and I to at- the full message and ap-
So, this Eastertide, it is worth reflecting on tend daily Mass streamed
gether it will be in a world needed to stop the chang-
the significance reshaped by what is going es was nine more MPs to plication of the authority
online. I must confess Jesus extended . . . count-
of Holy Satur- on at the moment, and it vote against the changes.
that, previously, watching
Editorial day. Pope Bene-
dict XVI did so
Mass online did noth-
ing for me. It was like
is ever more important
that we meet to pray, to
The March for Life in
Auckland on February
er and protect humanity
from such an enemy?
study the Scriptures, to 29, with approximately Wishy-washy preach-
during a visit to watching a poorly-filmed
hear the Word of God, to ing turns the Good News
the Shroud of Turin in 2010. He called the shroud B-grade movie. 3000 in attendance, must
comfort, to gain a fresh have helped to change the into the good advice, and
“an icon of Holy Saturday”, the day when “God I see now where my the demands of holiness
vision of what it is to be minds of several of the 94
remains hidden”. problem was. I was watch- and a fierce devotion be-
God’s Church for God’s MPs who voted for the pro-
ing, not attending. The
Benedict wrote: . . . [T]he Holy Shroud acts as a world.” posals on the first reading. come a baseline of medi-
genius of our liturgy is ocrity and complacency.
“photographic” document, with both a “positive” that it is physical. We
In Australia, the Cath- If we Christians were
and a “negative”. And, in fact, this is really how it is: olic Church’s plenary serious in trying to stop There is a need to look
stand, we sit, we kneel, we back and see what worked
the darkest mystery of faith is at the same time the council assembly sched- the changes being enacted
lift our hands, we sing, we for the saints in the centu-
most luminous sign of a never-ending hope. Holy uled for October this year into law, then we needed a
light candles, we release ries gone by. This was not
has been postponed and far greater number at the
Saturday is a “no man’s land” between the death incense. sophisticated reasoning,
a new timeline for the March for Life.
and the Resurrection, but this “no man’s land” was To help us shift from but simply telling the
planned two assemblies We also needed an out-
entered by One, the Only One, who passed through watching Mass to attend- truth about God, about
will be decided upon by pouring of prayer and
it with the signs of his Passion for man’s sake: Pas- ing Mass, we have set up our need for him and the
the Australian bishops fasting as Jonah initiated
sio Christi. Passio hominis. And the shroud speaks in the lounge a 24-inch salvation he offers, how
next month. in Nineveh (Jonah 3: 4-6).
monitor with Chromecast desperately he is reach-
to us precisely about this moment testifying exactly to enable streaming.
Plenary council facil- I would doubt that there
to that unique and unrepeatable interval in the itator Lana Turvey-Col- were very many Christian ing out to us in love to
We push back chairs to ransom us and shield us
history of humanity and the universe in which lins said that “once the communities in New Zea-
create space to physically from the clutches of the
God, in Jesus Christ, not only shared our dying, but pandemic has eased, peo- land where their hierar-
respond to the different evil that surrounds us.
also our remaining in death [in] the most radical ple will have a thirst to chy, or their parish priest/
Mass parts as we would in The legions of the en-
look to the future — and pastor, had encouraged
solidarity. our local church. Candles
the plenary council is emy camp take their work
In this “time-beyond-time”, Jesus Christ “de- and a crucifix are placed and led their parishioners
about the future of the to come together in a no- very seriously, and have
scended to the dead”. What do these words mean? in front of the monitor. undivided hearts as they
Church.” vena of prayer and fasting
They mean that God, having made himself man, We say a prayer of spiritu- assault the world with
The future is likely to seeking God’s help to stop
al communion at Commu-
reached the point of entering man’s most extreme be very different post- the changes. their deceptions of abor-
nion. Suddenly we aren’t tion, gender ideology,
and absolute solitude, where not a ray of love en- watching a B-grade movie,
Covid-19, even in New If this had been done,
ters, where total abandonment reigns without any Zealand and even for then we may not have end- atheism and a host of oth-
we’re taking part in the er ways to destroy souls;
word of comfort: “hell”. Jesus Christ, by remaining the Catholic Church. Of ed up in New Zealand with
greatest story ever told. our response cannot be
in death, passed beyond the door of this ultimate course, there will be a the most liberal abortion
Mike Baird, to offer a peace treaty of
period when parishes and laws in the world.
solitude to lead us too to cross it with him. We Hamilton. tolerance and fear, but on
Church organisations get Patrick McNamara,
have all, at some point, felt the frightening sen- back on their feet and the contrary to see it for
Post Covid-19
sation of abandonment, and that is what we fear Auckland.
adjust to the new normal, what it is and push back
most about death, just as when we were children whatever that might be. with the full force of the
we were afraid to be alone in the dark and could
only be reassured by the presence of a person who I saw on news re-
But it will be interesting
to see what opportunities Enemy truths of the Gospel, for
the healing of souls and
loved us. Well, this is exactly what happened on ports that the Anglican there will be for Catholics the liberation of those
Holy Saturday: the voice of God resounded in the Communion’s once-in- in New Zealand to come With the coronavirus who fall into the power of
realm of death. The unimaginable occurred: name- 10-years Lambeth Con- together to “gain a fresh we have an invisible but the devil.
ference, scheduled for vision of what it is to be real threat seen by its Stephen Clark,
ly, Love penetrated “hell”. Even in the extreme Manila,
July and August this year God’s Church for God’s effects. Large efforts and
darkness of the most absolute human loneliness in Canterbury, England, world”. vast resources are being The Philippines.
we may hear a voice that calls us and find a hand has been rescheduled S. Maitland, deployed to counter this.
that takes ours and leads us out. Human beings for 2021 in light of the Auckland. I believe Christians n Abridged — Editor
live because they are loved and can love; and if
love even penetrated the realm of death, then life
also even reached there. In the hour of supreme Except for our own edi- NZ Catholic welcomes readers’ letters, although receipt of a letter does not guar-
solitude, we shall never be alone: Passio Christi. torials, opinions expressed antee publication. No correspondence will be entered into concerning publication.
Passio hominis. in NZ Catholic do not neces- Letters should be no longer than 220 words and should be topical, to the point, and
This is the mystery of Holy Saturday! Truly from sarily reflect the opinion of include the writer’s address and phone number. Ad hominem attacks are not welcome.
there, from the darkness of the death of the Son the newspaper or of its own- Emailed letters should be sent as part of the text message — not as an attachment — to
er, the Bishop of Auckland, editor@nzcatholic.org.nz and include the writer’s physical address. Pseudonyms are not
of God, the light of a new hope gleamed: the light
unless otherwise indicated. accepted, except by special arrangement.
of the Resurrection.
8 Features NZ Catholic: April 19 - May 2, 2020
Listening key for Church reform in our time
“
by MICHAEL OTTO
Synodality thus begins with
The royal commission investigation of sexual
abuse in care in New Zealand is likely to highlight listening to all [the] faithful. This
systemic problems in the Church that will prompt
calls for reform. method will impact all future
This is what has happened in other countries
and reform processes have started in places like synods. It will also impact all
Australia and Germany, said Dr Myriam Wijlens at
a lecture in Auckland on March 11. discernment and decision-
Dr Wijlens, who is a theologian, canon law pro-
fessor and member of the Pontifical Commission making processes on all levels in
for the Protection of Minors, stressed that reform
has to address issues at their roots, touching and the Church on all major topics.”
impacting the whole body of the faithful.
She said guidance for the necessary reform
comes from the Second Vatican Council. working of the Holy Spirit and thus introduced a
The Holy Spirit guided the council and is dynamic understanding of the faith. At the same
also guiding its reception and implementation, time, it could give rise to post-conciliar tensions,
even though different Church members and lo- Dr Wijlens said.
cal churches might be at different points in the Pope Francis has struck out in a remarkable
process. direction, in line with Vatican II teaching on reve-
Pope Francis has picked up on some key aspects lation and the people of God, she said.
of Vatican II teaching in the way he has stressed He begins with the people of God and locates
the importance of “synodality” in the Church. the hierarchical authority within it. Pope Francis
Most important in his understanding is how he said that the sensus fidei (the sense of the faith –
sees the need that the whole Church, all the faith- also called the sensus fidelium — the sense of the
ful, begin by listening to the Word of God and to faithful) “prevents a rigid separation between the
each other. This occurred first in the synod on the teaching and the learning Church, since the flock
family in 2014 and 2015. Bishops were not asked likewise has an instinctive ability to discern new
Dr Myriam Wijlens
to report what they think the faithful believe, but ways that the Lord is revealing to the Church”.
rather they had to ask the faithful themselves “The synod of bishops is the point of conver-
to report what they believe. This was something sive importance is that the Word of God is listened gence of this listening process, conducted at ev-
new. It had not happened in previous synods, Dr to and heard by all [the] faithful — including the ery level of the Church’s life. The synod process
Wijlens explained. ordained members of the People of God,” she said. begins by listening to the people of God, which
“Synodality thus begins with listening to all “Revelation occurs within the whole People of shares also in Christ’s prophetic office, accord-
[the] faithful. This method will impact all future God in a complex network of relations between all ing to a principle dear to the Church in the first
synods. It will also impact all discernment and the faithful, be they laity, religious, theologians, millennium — what touches all is to be discussed
decision-making processes on all levels in the bishops, pope, college of bishops. It can only be and decided by all,” the Pope said.
Church on all major topics,” she said. understood under the guidance of the Holy Spirit “He elaborates,” Dr Wijlens said, “that we have
Dr Wijlens, who is Dutch and is a Professor of through a complex interaction of all the faithful to continue to listen to the pastors. Through the
Canon Law at the University of Erfurt in Germany, — each and every one — according to his or her synod the fathers — the bishops — act as authentic
explained how this approach derived from the position and function. guardians, interpreters and witnesses to the faith
Second Vatican Council’s location of the office of “Such an understanding can only be appreciat- of the whole Church, but they need to discern
the bishop within a theology of the People of God. ed in conjunction with the doctrine that, through carefully from the changing currents of public
Key to this is a new understanding of revelation baptism, all the faithful participate in the threefold opinion.”
itself. ministry of Christ — priest, prophet and king. And
“Before the council, revelation was a set of that we all receive charisms as well as the doctrine n Law
doctrines about God formulated by the hierarchy that the Holy Spirit is active in each and every one.” Dr Wijlens also spoke about the task faced by
that the laity would learn by heart. Vatican II un- As a result of this, Vatican II introduced the legislators in redrafting Church law after the coun-
derstands revelation as God speaking to men and doctrine of the “people of God” and inserted this cil, given the different perspectives side-by-side
women as friends to enter with them in fellowship. in its document on the Church before the council in council documents. A middle path was adopted
It is an encounter with God. The Holy Spirit leads spoke about the hierarchy. By doing so, it was then in the drafting of the 1983 Code of Canon Law.
into relationship and understanding and of deci- able to affirm the infallibility, not only of the pope Diocesan synods, diocesan pastoral councils
and college of bishops, but of the whole Church. and parish pastoral councils were all catered for.
Dr Wijlens quoted paragraph 12 of Lumen “[But] it should be noted,” Dr Wijlens said, “that
Gentium. there is no institution in a diocese in which laity
“The entire body of the faithful, anointed as can participate that is obligatory for a bishop.”
they are by the Holy One, cannot err in matters “If a bishop wants to govern his diocese without
of belief. They manifest this special property the participation of any lay person, he is able to
by means of the whole peoples’ supernatural do that and he would act in conformity with the
discernment in matters of faith when ‘from the law of the Church. Yet, by doing so, he would not
bishops down to the last of the lay faithful’, they receive the new understanding of Vatican II.”
show universal agreement in matters of faith and Dr Wijlens said that, during her recent visit
morals. That discernment in matters of faith is to Australia, she discovered that only one third
aroused and sustained by the Spirit of truth. It is of Australian dioceses have a diocesan pastoral
exercised under the guidance of the sacred teach- council. She understood that the situation was
ing authority, [in faithful and respectful obedience better in New Zealand dioceses.
to which the people of God accepts that which is But “if we go by the intentions of the Second
not just the word of (people) but truly the word Vatican Council, we have to say the diocesan pas-
of God].” (Lumen Gentium #12) toral council cannot be a mere option, it should
be obligatory unless there are circumstances that
n Tensions prevent having such a council”.
Important, therefore, Dr Wijlens said, is the Such circumstances could be where it is dan-
insertion of the people of God before the trea- gerous for Catholics to meet because of political
tise of the hierarchy and the new understanding conditions, she said.
of revelation. How did this impact the synod of Dr Wijlens said she wanted to be realistic.
bishops? The synod of bishops was the result of “A bishop who does not internalise the theo-
another debate in the council, which was to clarify logical notions will convoke a body for the sake of
Honouring the relationship between the pope and the (college
of) bishops.
being able to say that he has such a body.”
“No legislator can ultimately determine how to
Life That treatise on that topic was not rewritten in
light of the doctrine of the people of God. Hence
use these bodies and how to use them best. What
is required is an internal disposition on the side
two different understandings stood — so to speak of the bishops to appreciate the gifts of baptism
— side by side. and thus to listen to the working of the Spirit
Gavin Murphy “In itself this was not new. Vatican II does it among the faithful, as well as on the side of the
General Manager time and again, as it is a peaceful way of renew- baptised to see and discover their own responsi-
ing because almost all can find themselves into bility to work for the well-being of the mission of
either the one or the other understanding,” Dr the Church.”
Lower Hutt | Upper Hutt | Porirua Wijlens said. Dr Wijlens finished her talk with a cautionary
The council was aware of this, in as much as note: “Canon law does not solve all problems.
(04) 566 3103 it was aware that not all issues were definitely
decided. Often the council declared that the
[What is] necessary is really an internal disposition
to listen to the Word of God and to each other, to
www.geeandhickton.co.nz post-conciliar Church would have to deepen a new discern what the Holy Spirit is conveying to us
understanding. It was a trusting in the continuous here and now.”
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