NZ canon lawyer receives prestigious award

By CathNews New Zealand

September 16th, 2025

Msgr Brendan Daly with CLSANZ president Fr Paul Clark and previous Owen Oxenham Award recipient Dr Rodger Austin (NZCBC)

Msgr Brendan Daly, judicial vicar of the Tribunal of the Catholic Church for New Zealand, has received a rare award recognising his outstanding work in canon law.

Msgr Daly was honoured with the Owen Oxenham Memorial Award for Outstanding Service to Canon Law at the 58th Canon Law Society Conference at Adelaide earlier this month. He was also made a lifetime member of the Canon Law Society of Australia and New Zealand.

The award is the highest recognition bestowed by the Canon Law Society of Australia and New Zealand. Established in memory of Rev Dr Owen Oxenham, the Society’s founding president, it is reserved for those whose sustained contributions have significantly shaped the field of canon law and enriched the life of the Church.

Msgr Daly has served as rector of Holy Cross Seminary, principal of Good Shepherd College, lecturer in canon law, and a long-time judge and judicial vicar on tribunals in New Zealand and Australia. His expertise is widely sought across the Pacific and Asia. He is canon lawyer for the Safeguarding Office of the Asian Bishops Conference. He continues to contribute to safeguarding and formation at regional and international levels for the Pontifical Commission for Minors.

An accomplished scholar, he has authored three books, including Penal Issues in Canon Law, published last month by Paulist Press, alongside dozens of articles, chapters in books and conference papers.

He is the second New Zealander to receive the Oxenhan Award, following the late Msgr David Price.

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Prestigious award for New Zealand canon lawyer (NZCBC)