And he says the church has also probably fallen short in fully meeting the needs of recent migrant communities.

Dew said this when he was commenting on new research by the Wilberforce Foundation which showed a sharp decline in the percentage of New Zealanders who identify as Christian.

Dew is the Archbishop of Wellington and vice-president of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference (NZCBC).

"The findings from this survey speak to Pope Francis' latest exhortation, in which he says 'we are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves,'" Dew said.

"As the members of the NZCBC, we are aware of our leadership role and the role of faith in the public forum.

"We welcome the opportunity to listen more intently, talk more compassionately and understand more deeply how we can walk with New Zealanders in contributing to the wellbeing of all in our society."

During the Synod in Rome in 2015, Dew talked about the need for "new language" to explain church teaching on sexuality.

He spoke of compassion and inclusion.

"When we have documents which talk about intrinsically disordered or being evil, it's not going to help people.

"We've got to find a way to express what the teaching actually says, but not putting it in ways that people feel they're being branded and being told that they're bad or evil."

Source

• Supplied: Amanda Gregan: Communications Advisor - NZ Catholic Bishops Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa
• www.youtube.com
• nzcatholic.org.nz
• nzherald.co.nz
• Image: youtube.com

One participant said afterwards Francis told them "the Church welcomes and embraces us."

"Pope Francis was well known in Buenos Aires for being among the people," said Dew in his post.

"He has found many ways to continue the encounter with people that is at the heart of his spirituality and his approach to being Pope."

"The people who might feel they are 'on the peripheries' of the Church are very dear to him and he actively creates opportunities to meet with them."

Isabel Díaz, who took part in the meeting, said Pope Francis told them that, with their experience, they can help others who are separated and divorced live through their suffering, and "above all, he underlined repeatedly that the Church welcomes and embraces us."

""It gave me the feeling that we were meeting with the "Santa Teresa" group, in the parish of San Juan de la Cruz in Toledo, all in a circle."

"The only difference was the pope was with us. A generous pope, humble and at the same time affectionate. A pope then that made you want to hug him. I have the desire to hug him." Díaz said.

The 95 minute private audience would likely have gone unnoticed, if it wasn't for the fact that the diocese sponsoring the trip wrote about it on its website.

Last April, the Archbishop of the Spanish diocese of Toledo, Braulio Rodríguez, handed Francis a letter.

It had been was written by women who participate in the "Santa Teresa" group, run by the Commission of Family and Life of the diocese.

After reading the letter, Francis invited them to Rome.

Source

• Facebook
• Rome Reports
• Crux
• Image: Crux

He plants himself behind a makeshift altar, light-blue stole draped over his peacoat, and asks the people milling about to "gather 'round."

Some settle into folding chairs; others stand. A regular known as "Mama Kelley" passes out sheets with the service printed on it.

Then, a man with a plastic bag stuffed with belongings interrupts.

"Sir," the man says, "could you spare some change?"

"Not tonight," the Rev. Mr. Harris replies gently, "but afterwards we have coffee and sandwiches … "

The "Church Beyond Walls," now marking its first anniversary, is designed to draw some of the neediest residents who might not otherwise feel welcome at an indoor church.

Some come for the service; others for the free coffee, snacks, sandwiches and bins of donated hats and gloves.

But while the free food is, no doubt, a draw, its organizers say, it's not the purpose.

"What I don't want this to be is a charity," the Rev. Mr. Harris said. "I want this to be a community." Continue reading.

Source: Providence Journal

Image: Providence Journal