News
16 October, 2013
The Justice, Peace and Development (JPD) Commission of the Wellington Archdiocese are hosting the ‘Pacem in Terris’ event on Saturday 26 October at Tu Hono Hall adjacent to Bishop Viard College, Kenepuru Drive, in Porirua.
This event intends to connect the 50th anniversary of the papal encyclical Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth), issued by Pope John XXIII, with Aotearoa New Zealand’s own celebration of peace, Parihaka.
The encyclical Pacem in Terris, often referred to as the peace encyclical, examines the importance of respecting the rights of every human being and of resolving conflicts through negotiation.
Likewise, on 5 November every year, many New Zealanders join together to celebrate the nonviolent resistance of the people of Parihaka to the confiscation of their lands. This date is the anniversary of the 1881 British troops’ invasion of Parihaka in Taranaki – Te Whiti, Tohu and all the men of Parihaka were arrested and houses and food stocks destroyed.
Today, the people of Parihaka continue to restore Tohu and Te Whiti’s legacy and seek healing of historic injustices. They strive to keep alive the ideals of community empowerment, self-sufficiency and peaceful action of their ancestors.
Pacem in Terris will run from 9.30am to 4pm on Saturday 26 October. The day will include speakers and workshops discussing the importance of Parihaka and Pacem in Terris to our everyday Catholic life, as well as exploring such issues in New Zealand and the Pacific as housing and poverty.
For more information on this event, please contact Mary-Ann Greaney on (04) 496-1784.