Abuse reflection day marked at theological college

The day, observed on November 12, marked the first anniversary of the public apology by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and seven public sector leaders to survivors of abuse and neglect in care.

As well as delivering the apology last year, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced a “National Remembrance Day” would be held a year later, as part of the national process of truth-telling and apology.

The purpose of the day was to remember survivors and victims of abuse, to lament the harm done in institutions that should have been places of safety and to renew a collective commitment to care and justice.

At midday on November 12, staff and students from the Catholic Theological College, Holy Cross Seminary and Te Kupenga – Catholic Leadership Institute gathered at St Columba Centre in Ponsonby for a Liturgy of Lament. The liturgy, led by Dr Sarah Hart with contributions from colleagues Robert Blucher, Msgr Brendan Daly, Alison Munro and Dr Rocio Figueroa, created a sacred space of remembrance, truth and prayer.

After a welcome and the singing of Te Aroha, the community was invited to light a candle – a gesture marking the desire for God’s presence amid grief and shame. The opening reflection named the sorrow and anger that flow from the betrayal of trust within Church institutions: parishes, schools and programmes that were meant to care for children and young people but became places of suffering.

The Gospel reading from Matthew 18 reminded all present of Jesus’ words about children as the greatest in the kingdom of heaven and his stern warning against causing harm to “the little ones”. This was followed by the testimony of survivor Jim Goodwin, whose voice bore witness to both the enduring pain and the strength of those who have lived through abuse.

Msgr Daly offered a reflection on the history of the building where the liturgy took place – acknowledging that it, too, had been a site of harm.

A ritual with stones, introduced by Dr Figueroa, invited participants to come forward in silence, each placing a stone in a shared bowl. The stones represented grief, collective responsibility and the longing for healing and transformation. This simple gesture expressed what words could not: that lament and hope must coexist, and that remembrance must lead to conversion.

There were prayers of the faithful and a concluding prayer for integrity, compassion and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in creating a safer Church.

In Christchurch, Bishop Michael Gielen, Christchurch Diocese chief operating officer Alex Bailey and Catholic Social Services representatives accepted an invitation to attend an event at Validation Park – the site of the notorious former Marylands School – to reflect, and to hear from survivors about their experience of abuse and neglect in state and faith-based care.

Survivors attended more than 60 events throughout the country.

FULL STORY

A Liturgy of Lament: Remembering Survivors on the National Day of Reflection (Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College)

National Day of Reflection for survivors of abuse & neglect in care (Beehive)

National Day of Reflection Public Events (Abuse in Care Inquiry)

Calls for promises to be kept, one year after abuse in care apology (Radio New Zealand)

Facebook (Catholic Diocese of Christchurch)