WelCom February 2020
The Catholic Church in New Zealand has implemented a policy towards creating safe environments for children and adults who may be vulnerable. Church personnel are required to complete Safeguarding education and training. The policy applies to all clergy, religious, employees, and volunteers in all six dioceses. It also includes people working within parishes who are part of any Catholic organisation or agency accepted as a Catholic entity.
Last year, Safeguarding Adviser for the Archdiocese, Brendy Weir, presented workshops to all parishes in the archdiocese. More than 820 people attended, demonstrating a strong commitment to safe parishes. The workshops gave an overview of what Safeguarding is about and why it’s important.
Every parish has now appointed a Safeguarding Administrator who are each working to ensure all volunteers have signed up with Codes of Conduct, are Police-vetted, and that they have support in their volunteer roles.
Brendy will be revisiting all the parishes this year bringing a second workshop ‒ co-facilitated with local Safeguarding Administrators. ‘The aim is to get everyone involved in group exercises to practice dealing with scenarios, which might arise in parishes,’ Brendy says. For example:
- managing sensitive paperwork;
- managing inappropriate gossip;
- recruiting ‘safe’ volunteers;
- structural building safety and visibility;
- child’s disclosure at children’s liturgy;
- disclosure from housebound elderly.
Brendy is arranging dates and times with parish leaders for the second workshop series.
Contact Brendy on b.weir@wn.catholic.org.nz or ph (04) 496-1768 with any questions.
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.