Fr John is a priest of the diocese of Christchurch, ordained in 1985.

While serving in parishes around the diocese until recently, he has also completed an MA in Spirituality and continues to offer spiritual direction, retreats and spiritual formation seminars around the globe.

Currently he is completing an MA in Liturgy.

Fr John is Vocations Director for the Christchurch diocese and is the creator and author of the Food for Faith website and online ministry.

Fr John says, "I am convinced that if we get the liturgy right, all other aspects of the life of the church will fall into place easily."

Bishop Charles Drennan, NZCBC Secretary, said "we are most grateful to Fr John for filling this role, given his many other commitments. Fr John brings a creativity and technical skillset to the role as well as a deep love of liturgy. Our hope is that the work of the National Liturgy Office will transform the quality of liturgical experience in parishes. Collaboration and building relationships with local liturgical commissions and councils will then be a vital part of the role."

Source

• Supplied: Amanda Gregan. Ko te Huinga Pihopa o te Hahi Katorika o Aotearoa The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference (NZCBC)
• Image: Facebook

Founder, Bill Mentz, who has just left his liturgy director's position, says SS Francis and Clare Independent Roman Catholic Community will include gay people, women and divorcees.

The church, which observes apostolic succession, will hold its first service this month.

The service will be held at the Providence United Presbyterian Church in the nearby city of Scranton.

However, the Catholic Diocese of Scranton has distanced itself from the new church.

"The St Francis and St Clare Independent Roman Catholic Community is in no way affiliated with the Diocese of Scranton nor in communion with the universal Catholic Church," a diocesan statement says.

Mentz has not yet been ordained by the Independent Roman Catholic Church. He is currently serving as a parish administrator.

He expects to be ordained as a deacon later this year and, following a background check, psychological evaluation and other checks, he will be ordained a priest in 2019.

In the meantime, the new church will hold Sunday services without a priest. The services will include scripture readings, a sermon and Holy Communion.

It will also celebrate traditional rites including sacraments such as baptisms.

Mentz said he is not trying to steal away parishioners who are content.

"But, we also believe there are people in the pews right now who are not comfortable," he said.

Source

• La Croix
• The Times Tribune
• The Chicago Tribune
• Image: Huron Daily Tribune