Papal Mass in Chch

Press, 19 December 1985, Page 1

Papal Mass in Chch

Christchurch will host an outdoor Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II when he visits New Zealand in November next year. The Prime Minister, Mr Lange, announced yesterday that the Pope would arrive in Auckland from Fiji on November 22, and depart from Christchurch for Australia on November 24. “This visit is most welcome,” said Mr Lange. “It shows the Pope’s willingness to accept every possible opportunity for contact with people throughout the world.”

The Pope’s visit will be the first to New Zealand by any leader of the Catholic Church, and will be part of a wider South Pacific pasto-

ral visit. While in New Zealand, the Pope will celebrate Mass at outdoor ceremonies in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. The Christchurch venue has not yet been chosen. Possibilities of a half-day public holiday for the occasion may be considered. The Archbishop of Wellington, Cardinal Thomas Williams, said the Pope’s visit was especially significant for the Catholic community because Sunday, November 23, was the feast of Christ the King, the day Catholics honoured Jesus Christ in his kingship of justice, love, and peace.

"As 1986 is the International Year of Peace, we can be sure that this theme will be stressed by the Holy Father during his visit,” Cardinal Williams said.

Catholic bishops have established a national advisory board to oversee the visit, which will be the twenty-eighth made by Pope John Paul II since his election as leader of the world’s 800 million Catholics in 1978.

The director of the advisory board, the Rev. James Lyons, said in Christchurch yesterday that the itinerary would be worked out early next year, and settled in May when officials from the Vatican would be in New Zealand.

Father Lyons said the visit would capture the attention of Catholics and non-Catholics.

“The personality of the Pope has made him a world figure,” he said. “He is seen as a moral leader, and as someone who stands for peace and justice.” The Pope, a strong advocate of peace, also took particular interest in youth matters, the indigenous people of a country, ecumenism, and the handicapped and sick. “These are areas we will probably try to include in the itinerary,” said Father Lyons. “For instance, we might include a Maori welcome in one of the Masses, and Christchurch could be the place to highlight ecumenical matters, as it is something of a focal pointefor this in New Zealand*’

A strict line of protocol had build up during the Pope’s 27 visits to various countries and this would control much of his movements, Father Lyons said. “It is mostly based on common sense,” he said. “The orders we have from Rome include things like ensuring a three-metre or four-metre aisle each side of the Pope for security reasons and also so that the majority of people can see him.”

Security for the visit is in the hands of the Government, although a security patrol travels with the Pope as part of the official party.

Apart from the 32 officials, 70 journalists accredited to the Vatican from international news agencies will accompany the Pope. The Pope always stayed

at church locations’ on visits, said Father Lyons. One obvious place would be the residence of the Papal Ambassador in Wellington, Archbishop Magnoni. If the Pope stayed in Christchurch it would be with Bishop Hanrahan.

“Most of the party will stay at a hotel, while the Pope will probably be accompanied by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Cassaroli, and perhaps one or two others,” he said. Father Lyons said one of the main reasons for the Pope’s visit would be to affirm and strengthen the Catholic faith in New Zealand. His visit was also in response to public demand. “We don’t just want it to be a good week-end. Rather a climax to almost a season of preparation,” Father Lyons said. The Pope was always

personally involved in the preparation for his visits and was sensitive to the ordinary person.

“He wants to make him-, self as available as possible to the people, not just say, ‘lf it’s Tuesday then I must be in New Zealand’,” Father Lyons said.

The Pope could not be away from the Vatican for more than 12 to 14 days. The visit would be his farthest from Rome.

“His day will start at 8 a.rn. and finish at 9 p.m. It seems an awful lot of preparation for two days, but I am sure once he arrives his personality and presence will take over,” Father Lyons said. “Having him here will be quite a positive influence on the spirit of unity and coopersQon within the whole community,” he said.