Symposium will explore religion’s impact across sectors

Whānau Mercy Ministries and Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington are hosting the symposium from December 13-15. The event is inspired by the 200th anniversary of Catherine McAuley opening the House of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland.

The symposium will have a thematic lens grounded in Catherine McAuley’s own intention: “To serve God faithfully.”

In the most recent New Zealand Census, more than half the population identified as having “no religion”. This symposium is seen to come at an opportune time to explore what it means for governance and leadership to be a religious organisation within such a non-religious landscape.

There will be a particular emphasis on the significance and contribution of indigenous perspectives to religious organisations.

The symposium will gather academic experts, Mercy leaders, educators, health care professionals and advocates from across Aotearoa, the Pacific and beyond.

While the symposium will have some input of particular significance for organisations in the Mercy tradition, the broad range of speakers have been selected to appeal to those in all religious organisations, including those outside the Catholic tradition.

Among the presenters will be US sociologist of religion Dr Tricia C. Bruce, who was a papal-appointed consultor to the Synod on Synodality. A concurrent student programme will run for year 13 students and undergraduate university students.

Registrations will open in April. 

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Catherine McAuley Symposium – Whanau Mercy Ministries (Whānau Mercy Ministries)