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Safeguarding Newsletter October 2019
Revisions Added 5 June 2019 MNPAP
20190322 NZ Police Message to Parishes, Schools & Catholic Communities
Bishop Pat’s Caring Foundation
THANK YOU FROM THE CATHOLIC CARING FOUNDATION
The Foundation would like to sincerely thank all parishioners for their prayers and support of Bishop Pat’s Foundation, throughout 2017. Through your support, the Foundation was able to give grants of over $650,000 to organisations caring and supporting families and communities in need throughout the diocese. We couldn’t have done this without your support. Thank you. Our website www.caringfoundation.org.nz
Assurance of our prayers and support.
Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide Update
At the time of writing this, David Seymour’s ‘End of Life Choice’ bill is about to have its first reading and vote in Parliament (Wednesday 13 December). The bill seeks to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide in New Zealand for those over 18 years with a terminal illness or an irremediable condition. By the time this notice appears in your parish newsletter, the result will be known.
If the majority of MPs voted ‘no’, the bill will have been defeated and will not progress any further. If the majority of MPs voted ‘yes’, then the bill will go to Select Committee where the public can submit their views on it. This Select Committee process will be specifically about Seymour’s bill.
The Health Select Committee conducted an inquiry last year about the issues of euthanasia and assisted suicide, releasing their report in August 2017. With over 21,000 unique submissions, 80% of those were opposed to the legalisation of euthanasia and assisted suicide.
Legalising euthanasia or assisted suicide would endanger the lives and wellbeing of people who are vulnerable, including those suffering from mental health issues, our elders, and the disabled.
Regardless of the outcome of Wednesday’s vote, this issue is important and will continue to be a topic of public debate.
More information and resources on this issue will be provided in January. You can also check out www.nathaniel.org.nz/euthanasia.
Family violence
The Social Welfare Anti-Poverty (SWAP) Committee of the Justice and Peace Commission focuses on concerns and issues around Child Poverty, Inequality, the Living Wage and Family Violence.
We would like your support during November to raise awareness and concern around Family Violence that is closely linked to our countries increasingly alarming suicide count.
At our meeting this month the committee came up with a list of some ideas each parishes could work towards or select activities from.
Include a prayer on Family Violence in the Prayers of the Faithful.
A Parishioner may be able to address the congregation on the topic, in a short 2-3 minute talk after Communion.
- Establish a Parish well-being or focus group to compile a parish directory of local support and resources on family violence issues to be placed in the parish office for those who need it.
- Encourage parishioners to wear a White Ribbon that you have available at the back of the church. You can get these in bulk from https://whiteribbonnz.myshopify.com
- Catholic Social Services are a great source of support and sending a parishioner to some of their courses is a very positive action. 378 9650
Some good resources can be found on the White Ribbon web site www.whiteribbon.org.nz
History of NZ Catholic Charismatic Renewal:
“The New Day that Dawned” – a history of Catholic Charismatic Renewal in New Zealand has been compiled to commemorate the 50th anniversary Jubilee and is now available for purchase. $20 per copy plus $6.50 p&p. Contact “ccrnz.org” or Margaret Paton email margaretpaton@xtra.co.nz or phone (09).298.4409
Family faith Website
Parents are the first educators of faith in order to support families in this ministry the Auckland Diocese maintains a Family Faith website http://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/religious-education/family-faith/ it has ideas for family faith development from the pre-school to adolescent. Explore, grow and enjoy.
Northland Catholic Youth Ministry Committee Members
Steve Lewis (chairperson), Mina Pomare-Peita,
Angela Bourke, Bernadette Isaacs,
Fr. Maliu ‘Otutaha, Fr. Sean O’connor SSC
Selena Bercic, Michelle Daniels, Vanya Snowden