Parishes

Statement from Catholic Bishops of Aotearoa New Zealand

Each year, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand runs the Bishops’ Lent Appeal to support their work to aid and empower the most poor and vulnerable in our society. Their mission, as the Catholic agency for justice, peace, and development, is of vital importance to us all, especially the vulnerable communities they work with across the Pacific and beyond.

The Bishops’ Lent Appeal is the most direct way of providing the resources Caritas depends on to continue this vital work.

For our Catholic community, Caritas is the means by which we help our brothers and sisters in need – upholding their human dignity through partnerships grounded in Catholic social teaching.

Over the last couple of years there has been a drop in giving to Caritas, putting pressure on their ability to fund programmes that serve those most in need.

We ask that during this time of preparation and almsgiving, you make a special gift to the Bishops’ Lent Appeal 2024. This act represents the giving of alms and will mean so much to those that Caritas helps.

Yours in faith,

✠ Stephen Lowe, Bishop of Auckland
✠ Richard Laurenson, Bishop of Hamilton
✠ John Adams, Bishop of Palmerston North
✠ Paul Martin SM, Archbishop of Wellington
✠ Michael Gielen, Bishop of Christchurch
✠ Michael Dooley, Bishop of Dunedin