Kiwis sense hope, renewal at London Alpha conference

By CathNews New Zealand

June 5th, 2026

(From left) Fr Simon Story, Cheryl Surrey, Carly Mulqueen, Bishop John Adams, Fr Marcus Francis, Fr Nathaniel Brazil (Catholic Enquiry NZ/Facebook)

A bishop, priests and lay leaders from Aotearoa New Zealand were among 6000 people at an Alpha Leadership Conference in London last month.

The conference at the Royal Albert Hall brought together thousands of Christian leaders from many traditions and countries for two days of worship, teaching, prayer and conversation. Among those present were Palmerston North Bishop John Adams, several priests from his diocese and Catholic Enquiry Centre director Carly Mulqueen.

The gathering focused on the call to lead with confidence in Christ in a changing world, with the theme “An Unshakeable Kingdom, in a Shaking World”.

More than 70 countries were represented, and there was also a strong Catholic presence among those gathered. Alongside the main sessions, many reflected on what renewed openness to faith, hospitality and evangelisation might look like in communities in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Fr Nathaniel Tat Brazil, parish priest of Immaculate Conception Parish in Stratford, said that before the conference he had believed that the Church in Europe was dying because that is what is often shown in the media.

But Fr Brazil witnessed many thriving and growing parishes and communities.

“I realised that this growth was not simply because of the people leading them or the clergy, but because they were truly open to the Holy Spirit and his gifts,” he said.

Fr Brazil said he was deeply moved by the testimonies of people from different parts of the world whose lives had been transformed through Alpha. The programme helped people feel welcomed and reminded them that there is more to life than what eyes can see.

“I was especially inspired by a young layperson who courageously started Alpha in his community without the support of his parish at first,” he recounted.

“Through faith, commitment and perseverance, almost a thousand young people attended Alpha, and eventually the parish recognised and supported the mission. Seeing this inspired me greatly and awakened in me, as a priest, the importance of cultivating leaders within the Church and encouraging young people to respond to God’s call.”

FULL STORY

Hope and Renewal at the Alpha Leadership Conference (Tūmanako/Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North)