*********************************

IRAQ

"There is still time". Joint statement on the potential war in Iraq from the Church Leaders in New Zealand. (February 2003 http://www.catholic.org.nz/newsF.htm

"Pope Urges Blair to Avert Tragedy of War" ABC News Feb. 22 2003 http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/reuters20030222_170.html Vatican City (Reuters) - Pope John Paul on Saturday urged British Prime Minister Tony Blair, one of Washington's staunchest allies in the Iraq crisis, to make every effort "to avert the tragedy of war." During a private audience that lasted about 30 minutes, the pope appealed for peace, saying he hoped that "in the grave situation in Iraq, every effort be made to avoid new divisions in the world," the Vatican said in a statement....

"What may happen behind closed doors when Blair meets the Pope", by Paul Vallely The Independent (UK) 22 February 2003 http://argument.independent.co.uk/commentators/story.jsp?story=380443 There is something about the Pope, those close to him say, which allows the most cautious individuals to talk very frankly in private. People open their hearts about their innermost worries and their deepest intentions. Dialogues of a very unusual kind can take place. It is a place to tell the truth....

John Paul II Calls on Iraq to Respect U.N. Resolutions. Aziz Says His Country Wants to Cooperate in Disarmament http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=31378 Vatican City, Feb. 14, 2003 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II called for "concrete commitments" by Saddam Hussein's government to respect U.N. resolutions on disarmament. The Pope made his plea when he received Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz in audience today....

Pope and Kofi Annan Stress "Essential Role" of U.N. in Iraqi Crisis. Secretary-General Has Audience at Vatican http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=31539

Saddam Has the Will to Avoid the War, Says Papal Envoy (full text of an interview with Pope John Paul's special envoy to Saddam Hussein) http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=31448

"To Resort to Force Would Not Be Just," Vatican Says at U.N. http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=31647 New York, Feb 20, 2003 (Zenit.org).- The Vatican addressed the U.N. Security Council to affirm that "to resort to force would not be just" in eliminating the threat of weapons of mass destruction attributed to Iraq....

Vatican Addresses U.N. Security Council on Iraq (full text) http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=31662

Church leaders doubt morality of war The Guardian, February 20, 2003 http://politics.guardian.co.uk/foreignaffairs/story/0,11538,899532,00.html Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the leader of the Roman Catholic church in England and Wales, issued a rare joint statement last night, warning that doubts still persisted about the moral legitimacy of a war in Iraq....

Archbishops' statement on Iraq (full text) http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,2763,899280,00.html

Iraq - Dossier: The Chaldean Church in Iraq and the Syro-Malabar Church in India http://www.fides.org/eng/dossier/2002/chiese_oriente.rtf

Modern-day exodus: Flight of Catholics from Iraq troubles Vatican, by John Thavis Catholic News Service Feb. 14, 2003 http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/20030214.htm Vatican City (CNS) -- Buried in the Vatican's new yearbook for 2003 is a striking statistic, and it helps explain Vatican apprehension about a new war in Iraq. Over the last 12 years, the second-largest Catholic community in the Middle East has shrunk by almost two-thirds....

Vietnam - Catholics sympathise with Iraqi people and pray that war may be avoided http://www.fides.org/eng/news/2003/0302/20_04.html

Indonesia: Pope Receives in Audience the Leaders of Faiths. War Would Be a Tragedy for Religions Too, Says John Paul II http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=31645

Philippines - Women form anti-war movement: fear for 1.4 million Filipino workers in the Middle East mostly women http://www.fides.org/eng/news/2003/0302/17_03.html

Korea - Bishops issue message to say yes to peace, no to war on Iraq, no to nuclear weapons http://www.fides.org/eng/news/2003/0302/15_05.html

Holy See Is Not Pacifist But Peace-Making, Says Cardinal Sodano http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=31540

******************************

FROM THE CATHOLIC PRESS

********************** "NZ Catholic" No 156, February 23, 2003 http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

Cardinal's message: "Pray for 'no' to war" Wellington - - New Zealand's Cardinal Tom Williams has lashed out at President George Bush for seeking a pretext to attack Iraq...

Diocese returns land to Maori Te Kaha - Two lots of land used by the Church in the eastern Bay of Plenty for about 70 years have been returned to the descendants of the original donors...

Delegation to yachties worthwhile, Rome says Auckland - The Vatican delegation to the America's Cup yachting regatta has reported that its mission was worthwhile....

**********************

"Priests for tomorrow", by Fritz Lobinger and Paul Zulehner The Tablet 15/02/2003 http://www.thetablet.co.uk/cgi-bin/archive_db.cgi?tablet-00709 The shortage of clergy in the Catholic Church offers opportunities as well as crisis. Two authors suggest a new way forward...

******************************************

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS


** Prostitution Reform Bill **

NZ House of Representatives. Justice and Electoral Committee. Prostitution Reform Bill (full text) http://www.clerk.parliament.govt.nz/content/1327/66bar2.pdf

"Prostitution legislation to proceed. MPs' conscience vote close " Otago Daily Times 20 Feb 2003 http://www.odt.co.nz/cgi-bin/search-display-story-online-new?date=20Feb2003&obje\ ct=0219575987&type=html&WORDS=catholic&DB=Editorial MPs last night voted 62-56 to allow legislation decriminalising prostitution to proceed. The Prostitution Reform Bill passed its second reading on a conscience vote....

Political party press statements on the Bill: http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/archive/scoop/index.html?q=prostitution&y=2003&m=02\ &kr=any&dr=1&go.x=10&go.y=5

*************************

"Rory Sweetman: A fair and just solution?", by Hugh Laracy NZ Herald 23/2/03 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/entertainmentstorydisplay.cfm?storyID=31\ 97124&thesection=entertainment&thesubsection=books&thesecondsubsection=reviews (book review of : A fair and just solution? A history of the integration of private schools in New Zealand)

"Manager quits in church probe " (full text) Waikato Times 20 February 2003 http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/waikatotimes/0,2106,2277370a6579,00.html Geoff Kay, the Catholic Church's Hamilton diocesan manager, has resigned during an investigation authorised by Bishop Denis Browne. The Church will not confirm the reason for the investigation....

"Church Meets With Alleged Abuse Victims" (full text) XtraMSN/IRN 21/02/2003 The first meeting between a religious order accused of abusing boys in its care and lawyers representing some of the alleged victims is taking place in Christchurch today. Legal firm Grant Cameron and Associates represents 29 men who say they were abused as boys while at the Order of St John of God's former Maryland's School. Lawyer Patrick MacPherson says this first meeting between the two parties only came about after Cameron and Associates threatened the Order with legal action after it failed to respond to requests to meet. He says it is too early to say what will come out of the meeting, but he is hopeful it will lead to compensation and resolution for the men.

"Healing path reopens old wounds" NZ Herald Sunday February 23, 2003 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?thesection=news&thesubsection=&storyI\ D=3197206When Mike Phillips decided it was time to clear the air about a secret that had hung over him for more than 36 years, he hoped the Catholic Church would practice the contrition and charity it preached....

"Call for independent body for clergy sex complaints " INL National News 22 February 2003 http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2281730a11,00.html The Catholic Church has been asked to let an independent body take over its handling of sex abuse complaints against New Zealand clergy. The call comes from counsellor Brent Cherry, who says some victims have lost trust in the church because of cover-ups and mishandled complaints and fear to come forward. Bishops and leaders of the church's many religious orders begin their annual conference in Waikanae this weekend, and dealing with sex abuse claims is on the agenda. The protocol for dealing with allegations may be reviewed - three years earlier than planned...

***************************************

EVENTS

*************************

Catholic Festival Sat. 1st and Sunday 2nd of March 2003 Venue: Aotea Centre, Aotea Square, Auckland Admission free Full details on the Festival Website http://www.catholicfestival.org and from: Catholic Festival, DX Box DP 95213, New Lynn, Auckland Tel. (09) 826-1520 during work hours; (09) 623-6630 after hours E-mail: info@catholicfestival.org

"The Catholic Festival is a celebration of our faith that will be joyful, prayerful, reflective, informative and educational.... We seek to provide the opportunity for anyone to display the gifts that God has given them. In doing so, the faith and Catholic identity of each one will be strengthened. We also wish to celebrate our cultural diversity and to grow together in unity. From the centre of Auckland, we also have the opportunity to witness to our faith and help others to see its richness and beauty...." Event venues: Main Theatre : guest speakers, drama, choir and dance, films .... Children's Room: acted-out bible stories (with costumes and props), cartoon videos of saints and religious stories, "Catholic Kids Net" ... Still Arts Room: displays of painting, sculpture, carving, poetry by different artists ... Live Arts Room: Albert's restaurant, songs, poetry, small dramas and dances on-stage ... Adoration Room: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament throughout the Festival ... Gala Day, Sunday afternoon : ethnic foods, games in Aotea Square.

***********************

The Eucharistic Convention, Friday 25th April - 6.00pm Sunday 27 April 2003 http://eucharistic-convention.com Venue: The Logan Campbell Theatre, Auckland Showgrounds, Greenlane Road, Auckland New Zealand The Eucharistic Convention 2003 is an annual event organised by lay people within the Auckland Diocese of the Catholic Church in New Zealand. Full details are on the Website.

**********************************

EMPLOYMENT

Teaching vacancies in New Zealand Catholic schools are advertised in the Education Gazette: http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/vacancies

Vacancies in Catholic Youth Ministry are advertised on the Job Bank page of the National Council for Young Catholics: http://ncyc.org.nz

****************************************

Library Assistant, The Eugene O'Sullivan Library, Catholic Institute of Theology. Auckland University 27 Hrs per week. Experience in general library duties and associated IT skills essential. For employment package and applications contact Margaret Grigg, Librarian, Newman Hall, Waterloo Quadrant, Auckland 1001, Ph (09)379-6424 Ext 723 ; E-mail: m.grigg@auckland.ac.nz ; Web: http://www.catholic.org.nz/auckland/cit/ Applications close 24th February 2003.

Religious Education Advisor, Northland Details in 'NZ Catholic' Jan 26 2003 p.17 and from Maureen Hammond, Co-ordinator Religious Education, Pompallier Diocesan Centre, Private Bag 47-904, Ponsonby, Auckland. Applications close 24 February 2003

Journalist, 'NZ Catholic' newspaper Experienced journalist required for relieving work in Auckland over several weeks in mid-2003. The job requires newspaper subbing/layout experience, good knowledge of the New Zealand Church, and computer skills. act the editor, Pat McCarthy, on (09) 360 3069

Mahitahi (formerly Catholic Overseas Volunteer Service) Volunteers with skills are needed for work in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands in the fields of ... Building Trades ... Maintenance... Mechanics ... Engineers ... Management ... ICT Admin ... Teachers... Nurses ... Governance ... Forestry ... Ecology ... Fisheries Contact : Tim Walsh, Mahitahi, Private Bag 47 904, Ponsonby, Auckland 1034 Email: timw@cda.org.nz ; Tel: (09) 360 3019 ; Fax: (09) 360 3012 ; Web: http://www.catholic.org.nz/auckland/mahitahi.htm

******************************************