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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

The Catholic archbishop of Sydney, Archbishop George Pell, has temporarily relinquished his duties while the Church investigates a complaint against him. The outcome will be of particular interest in New Zealand because the archbishop is due here in September to speak at the Conference On Life, Faith and Family (see 'Events' below).

CathNews Australia reports the latest developments, with links to related articles in the Australian press: http://www.cathtelecom.com

"Australian laity faces crisis of trust over abuse claims " Otago Daily Times 24/08/02 http://www.odt.co.nz/cgi-bin/search-display-story-online-new?date=24Aug2002&obje\ ct=0823142690&type=html&WORDS=catholic&DB=Editorial

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EDUCATION

Faith Central: resources for New Zealand Catholic high schools http://www.faithcentral.net.nz/new.htm

"NZ Church Beginnings" Bishop Pompallier and the first missionaries set out for New Zealand on 24 December 1836. Two years later, on 10 January 1838 they arrived in the Hokianga, at the home of Thomas and Mary Poynton. Here-in lies the beginnings of the Church and our spiritual heritage in Aotearoa - New Zealand. Faith Central presents resources on: Maori Spirituality ... Pompallier and Before: the first missionaries ... Religious orders: an historical perspective on the work of the pioneering NZ Catholic Sisters, Brothers and Priests. ... Church and Culture: documents

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EVENTS

15 to 21 September Social Justice Week 2002 'Welcoming the Stranger: Refugees and Migrants in the Modern World' is the theme of the sixth Social Justice Week for the Catholic Church in New Zealand. This year the Week will encourage parishes and schools to look at immigration issues within the framework of human rights and the social teachings of the Catholic Church. Through the information provided in the kits prepared by Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, participants will be invited to put a human face on the issue and to determine what an ethical and just response would be. Most of the contents of the kits are available on the Caritas website, here: http://www.caritas.org.nz/nz/socialjusticeweek/refugees/sjs2002_refugees_overvie\ w.htm Caritas also has videos on refugees for borrowing, free Social Justice Week 2002 posters, and additional copies of the Caritas Social Justice Series booklet "Welcoming the Stranger: Refugees and Migrants in the Modern World" that can be purchased from the Caritas office for $4.50 each.

26-28 September 2002 Character Education Conference, St Andrew's College, Christchurch, Theme: "Character Education: the other side of the report card" The first national conference of the New Zealand National Foundation for Character Education Details from: The conference convenor, PO Box 194, Oamaru ... fax: 03 432 4036 ... e-mail: conference@cornerstonevalues.org ... Website: http://www.cornerstonevalues.org

26-29 September 2002 "Life, Faith and Family" Conference, Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna, Auckland Details from Family Life International, PO Box 56 423, Dominion Rd., Auckland 1030 and from: http://www.fli.org.nz

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