WelCom November 2021
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2021 to Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, a precondition for democracy and lasting peace. The Nobel committee announced last month Ms Ressa and Mr Muratov are receiving the Peace Prize for their courageous fight for freedom of expression in the Philippines and Russia. At the same time, they are representatives of all journalists who stand up for this ideal in a world in which democracy and freedom of the press face increasingly adverse conditions.
In honouring Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Russia’s Dmitry Muratov, the Norwegian committee offered a ringing endorsement of the promotion of truth over spin, lies and threats. Ressa, chief executive and co-founder of news website Rappler, has shown unflinching courage covering the regime of President Rodrigo Duterte, whose war on drugs has left 20,000 people dead. Muratov is the founder and editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazette, described by the Nobel committee as ‘the most independent newspaper in Russia today, with a fundamentally critical attitude toward power’.
Berit Reiss Andersen, the Norwegian lawyer who chairs the Nobel committee, commended their ‘courageous fight for freedom of expression, a precondition for democracy and lasting peace’.
‘Free, independent and fact-based journalism,’ he said, ‘serves to protect against abuse of power, lies and war propaganda.’
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.