Modern prophet Fr Richard Rohr in Wellington

A Franciscan priest who has been hailed as a modern prophet offering hope in the midst of the bleakness of the prevailing thought and culture of attitudes of the present-day West, is coming to Wellington in October.
Fr Richard Rohr is well known to

A Franciscan priest who has been hailed as a modern prophet offering hope in the midst of the bleakness of the prevailing thought and culture of attitudes of the present-day West, is coming to Wellington in October.

Fr Richard Rohr is well known to many people in New Zealand through his books and tapes. He is founder and codirector of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. He has written numerous books and articles and has preached all over the world. His approach is deeply rooted in the Gospels and the contemplative attitude.

His tour of New Zealand starts in Hamilton where he will present workshops at Labour weekend He will then give a five-session workshop in Wellington on the evening of Tuesday 24 and all day Wednesday 25 October 2006. While the Tuesday evening session will be the first of the series, it will also stand alone for those people who cannot come on the Wednesday.

Fr Richard will focus on what is at the heart of the transformation to which the Gospel calls us. He will explore the difference between the true self and the false self. Christians have to face up to the claims they make about Jesus being the source of Good News and either provide some evidence for those claims or abandon them.

Fr Richard calls people who are religious believers to face the false assumptions of Western individualism. If they do not then there will be no real breakthroughs for Christianity or any religion.

This will be a workshop that will challenge but at the same time Fr Richard will highlight the inspiration and genuine hope the Gospel holds for transformation both for individuals and for society. When he presents this workshop the archdiocese will be in the process of implementing the outcomes of the recent synod. It will be a very appropriate time to reflect on what the archdiocese is really attempting to do through the synod.

After Wellington Fr Richard will go to Christchurch. Those interested in these sessions, could visit the Adult Education Trust website www.aet.co.nz or contact Kevin or Lyn Gallagher Ph (03) 3483912 or kevingallagher@xtra.co.nz

The workshop in Wellington is open to anyone. People who are going to attend the Wednesday sessions need to register. The cost includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea on the Wednesday.

Please contact The Wellington Catholic Education Centre for registration forms for those wanting to attend the Wednesday sessions: PO Box 1937 Wellington; e-mail: wcec@wn.catholic.org.nz; Ph (04) 496 1716.

St Joseph’s Church, 42 Ellice St, Mt Victoria. Tuesday 24th October 7.30 – 9.00pm. Wednesday 25th October 9.30 – 5.00pm

Cost: Tuesday night only $10

Whole workshop/Wednesday: $50

For more information about Fr Rohr’s visit please contact Peter Bray at the Wellington Catholic Education Centre. Ph (04) 496 1710; or e-mail:

p.bray@wn.catholic.org.nz