New Zealand: Bishop reflects on need for Maori language in liturgies

Futuna Chapel, Karori, Wellington, New Zealand. Wiki Image by Tony Wills

Source: MIll Hill Missionaries

Bishop Emeritus Peter Cullinane writes in the Tui Motu InterIslands Magazine that actions such as using te reo during Eucharist would lead to greater inclusivity.

The Church in our country is greatly indebted to the Religious Orders to whom the 'Maori Mission' was entrusted. These were mainly the Society of Mary, the Daughters of Our Lady of Compassion, the Mill Hill Missionaries and the Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions. Their work continues to bear fruit, and any alterations to pastoral practices need to safeguard the right of Maori to continue to experience life and worship in the Church in ways that are natural to them.

Nevertheless, a Maori Mission running in parallel with parishes had serious unintended side-effects: the parishes became European-monocultural, and diocesan priests received little or no training for ministry to Maori. These factors ensured that most Maori would not feel "at home" in our parish church celebrations of Eucharist.

To read on see: https://hail.to/tui-motu-interislands-magazine/article/ijzLxCT