WelCom December 2022
Following recent media enquiries about the expected timeframe for the appointment of bishops to the two dioceses of Palmerston North and Hamilton, Bishop Steve Lowe, Bishop of Auckland, Secretary of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference issued the following statement to clarify the process.
‘When a diocese requires a new bishop, the Apostolic Nuncio [the papal representative in New Zealand] starts a process of consultations with a range of lay people and clergy to look at the pastoral needs of the diocese and suggest names of potential candidates. The Nuncio passes this information on to the Vatican, which confirms a short list of candidates called a terna. The Nuncio then starts a second consultation process with a wide variety of people on the specific candidates who are being considered. These people are also asked to suggest others who might be consulted. When this process is complete the Nuncio sends his report to the Vatican and ultimately to the Pope who is the one who appoints bishops. When the Pope nominates a new bishop, the Nuncio informs the nominated priest and asks whether he is willing to accept. The process of appointing a bishop is not fast, and this can lead to frustration and speculation on what is happening. Behind the scenes, however, the process is happening.’
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 8 December
‘As has been the custom for many years an archdiocesan Mass will be celebrated on our diocesan feast day, 7pm, Thursday 8 December, at St Teresa’s Pro-Cathedral, Karori. The archdiocese will again be entrusted to the care of Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception at this Mass. Parishes are asked to renew that Consecration on the following Sunday, 11 December, at All parish Masses.’ – Cardinal John Dew
Dates and events – what’s on
December 2022
If you would like your event listed on this page, please send an outline to welcom@wn.catholic.org.nz including name of event, date, time, location and contact.
Pope Francis registers for the next World Youth Day in Lisbon
At the conclusion of the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis registered for the next World Youth Day to be held in Lisbon, Portugal, in August 2023. Assisted and accompanied by Portuguese university students studying in Rome, the Pope tapped his way to becoming the first officially registered pilgrim for World Youth Day.