WelCom June/July 2024
Bernie Kernot
What does Catholic Social Teaching have to offer in the ongoing and divisive debates around Te Tiriti | The Treaty, the place of te reo in public life or biculturalism? Well, quite a lot in the view of two Catholic groups in the archdiocese.
The Christian Life Community and the Bicultural Committee of the Archdiocesan Commission for Ecology, Justice, and Peace have joined to plan a two-day hui to help Catholics to develop an understanding and appreciation of Te Tiriti and related issues from the perspective of the social teachings of the Church.
The hui will be held at the Home of Compassion, Island Bay, over the weekend of Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July, from 9.30am to 3pm, both days.
Under the title Ko Te Tiriti Mai Rānō | The Treaty is Always Speaking. A Covenant for the Generations, the hui will address the issues over four sessions. Presentations for the opening day will be: ‘Te Tiriti in the light of Catholic Social Teaching’ (morning); and ‘Te Tiriti as Covenant’ (afternoon). Presentations for day two will be: ‘A Guide to using te reo in Liturgy and in daily life’ (morning); and ‘What does a bicultural future look like? What blessings can we hope for?’ (afternoon).
Speakers will include Jim McAloon, Professor of History, VUW; Rangi Nicholson (Ngāti Raukawa ki Te Au o Te Tonga) Anglican priest, educator and socio-linguist; and Paora Ammunson, Deputy Chief Executive Tiriti Outcomes, Te Pūkenga.
To give participants as much engagement as possible, each presentation will be followed by small group discussions. The discussion groups will be guided following the synodal method, where everyone present will be able to share their thoughts in a non-confrontational setting. This method encourages people to listen to other points of view and exchange ideas respectfully and in conversation rather than argument. That means the conversations are open ended.
It is hoped that those who may be confused or afraid of the politics surrounding the Treaty, or uncomfortable with the use of te reo in the liturgy, will be helped to find a deeper understanding of the issues from the treasury of Catholic Social Teaching.
Please contact Deirdre Meskill d.meskill@wn.catholic.org.nz for further information or to register attendance. Koha entry.
Bernie Kernot is a retired academic, former chair of Commission for Justice, Peace and Development (now Commission for Ecology, Justice and Peace), and a member of the Christian Life Community.