John Holden
3 August 2007
‘I help the players, administrators and supporters. I support people working in rugby circles,’ says Fr Geoff. ‘I find the work exciting and rewarding, as I am able to move in a different world. In addition to that of traditional parish responsibilities, my task is to be available to help people to grow, to change and find meaning and fulfilment in their lives. By being on their turf, so to speak, they can see me as genuine and down to earth.’
Fr Geoff sees his rugby involvement as a way to meet people who are not involved with institutional religion; people that are not in the pews anymore.
‘Being available to minister the sacraments opens doors that some may not have the opportunity to open; by being seen on the sideline, or in the club after the match, is a Kiwi way of saying prayer and that the sacraments are available.’
More details produced about reported abuse in New Zealand Catholic Church
WelCom June/July 2022 Continuing research has produced further details of where and by whom much of the reported abuse in the Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand was committed. The…
A compliment Christians pay to one another
WelCom June/July 2022 + John A Cardinal Dew, Archbishop of Wellington Archdiocese, Apostolic Administrator of Palmerston North Diocese The Acts of the Apostles recounts, among other things, the story of…
Pope Francis appoints Bishop Michael Gielen as Bishop of Christchurch
WelCom June/July 2022 Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Michael Gielen (50) as the new Bishop of Christchurch. Bishop Gielen has been the Auxiliary Bishop of Auckland since March 2020. He…