WelCom December 2022
The Royal Commission’s Public Hearing into the responses of faith-based institutions to abuse in their care, took place from 13–21 October. The hearing examined witnesses from particular faith institutions, including the Catholic Church, on matters set out in the Royal Commission’s Terms of Reference, focusing on failures by faith institutions to prevent and respond to abuse in faith-based care. This was the last public hearing in which representatives for the Catholic Church will need to appear.
Te Rōpū Tautoko is the group co-ordinating the response of the Catholic Church in Aotearoa to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. Tautoko’s work will now focus on the commission’s various reports including the Final Report that is due in June 2023, and interacting with the Crown Response Unit, which is charged with putting the commission’s recommendations into action. Tautoko has released a roadmap of the changes the Church needs to make in anticipation of the Commission’s final recommendations. The roadmap is on Tautoko’s website at tautoko.catholic.org.nz/roadmap
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.