Catholic former Prime Minister Jim Bolger dies

Mr Bolger, who was New Zealand’s 35th Prime Minister from 1990-97, died peacefully in Wellington on October 15, surrounded by his nine children, 18 grandchildren and his wife, Joan.

“Over the period of his illness, Jim and the family have greatly appreciated the support and companionship of so many friends near and far,” a statement from his family read.

Mr Bolger had been undergoing dialysis since kidney failure last year.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Mr Bolger was a “towering figure in New Zealand’s political life – a leader of conviction, a reformer of consequence and a servant of the people whose legacy has shaped our nation in profound and lasting ways”.

“To those who worked alongside him, he was a principled and formidable colleague. To his political opponents, he was a worthy adversary who never allowed disagreement to become personal,” Mr Luxon said.

“And to New Zealand, he was a leader who believed in the strength of our democracy, the promise of fairness and the dignity of service.”

Wellington Archbishop Paul Martin SM said “Jim was a man whose faith shaped his life. This was seen in his family life, in his participation in the parish communities he belonged to and in his service in public life and in leadership of our country.”

“He has given great example of what it is to be a Christian man. We pray eternal rest for him and comfort for Joan and the family.”

In an interview with Guyon Espiner in 2017, as part of the Ninth Floor series, Mr Bolger spoke about his Catholic faith.

“That was the value system that I grew up with. And what it is – I mean the Catholic Church fails many times but – it teaches a very strong message of social justice,” Mr Bolger said.

“And if everyone was to follow the teachings of the Church on social issues then we would have a much more socially just world than we have at the moment.”

Asked if this challenged him when he was making decisions about reducing welfare, for example, he said, “of course”.

“How do you balance what is necessary against where do you share the pain?” he asked.

“You have to make those decisions with the best information you have and to the best of our judgement we made them.

“If you went over them, some of them you would probably make them differently, but that is common in all walks of life.”

Mr and Mrs Bolger were recently parishioners at Our Lady of Kapiti Parish, having moved to Waikanae in 2013.

In congratulating the parish on its new church in 2020, they said “Now it’s up to us parishioners to show the true spirit of Christianity and the generosity of our faith and go out and embrace a tomorrow that will hold many more challenges and changes”.

FULL STORY

 Jim Bolger, New Zealand’s 35th Prime Minister, dies aged 90 (By Rachel Maher/New Zealand Herald)

The Negotiator – Jim Bolger (Radio New Zealand)

Facebook (NZCBC)

Congratulations to Our Lady of Kāpiti Parish (Archdiocese of Wellington)