First Maori Chaplain In Penal Institutions

Te Ao Hou, June 1965, Page 6

First Maori Chaplain In Penal Institutions SOME MONTHS AGO the Rev. Manu Bennett left his position as vicar of St. Faith's Church, Ohinemutu, to become associate chaplain of the Waikeria Youth Centre, near Te Awamutu. Waikeria is a detention centre for delinquent boys. Mr Bennett's chaplaincy duties cover both Maori and non-Maori offenders, in the same way as any other chaplain, but he has also a special commission to work with and advise on the treatment of the Maori boys there. A Further Step Toward a Solution In announcing this, the Minister of Justice and Maori Affairs, Mr Hanan, said, ‘It is my hope that this may be a further step toward making a major break-through in resolving the The Rev. Manu Bennett Ans Wes photo personal conflicts that the young Maori has to face.’ Mr Bennett is the first Maori chaplain to join the team working under the National Council of Churches in the penal institutions of New Zealand. Ordained as an Anglican minister in 1937, he is a son of the late Bishop Bennett. From 1944 to 1946 he was a chaplain with the Armed Forces. Later he spent a year studying at a University in Hawaii. He has served in a number of parishes, and in 1958 became vicar of St. Faith's Church, Ohinemutu. One of Manu Bennett's former parishioners has sent ‘Te Ao Hou’ the following account of his work there.