The new Ministerial Public Juridic Person (MPJP) - known as Whanau Mercy Ministries - is independent of Nga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Sisters of Mercy New Zealand.

The Whanau Mercy Ministries will take up their responsibilities as a charitable trust on 1 April, owning the incorporated ministries the Sisters founded as far back as 173 years ago.

As the number of sisters has diminished, need for change became obvious.

After discernment, preparation and a petition to the Holy See, the Sisters received approval to create this new canonical and civil entity.

"As sisters, we have discerned the need for new levels of energy and expertise to see these works of mercy sustained and carried into the future.

"Led by lay people, the structure provides for long-term stable governance and the continuance of the Catholic identity and the mercy charism of the ministries," they say in a statement.

Established by decree on 27 November 2022, the Sisters say Whanau Mercy Ministries is the first MPJP of Pontifical Right for Aotearoa New Zealand.

With Whanau Mercy Ministries established, the board of Nga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Tiaki Manatu Sisters of Mercy Ministries Trust will cease.

The initial Whanau Mercy Ministries trustees, left to right, are; Philip Alexander-Crawford (Ngati Hine, Ngati Rehia, Ngapuhi), Charlotte Cummings, Catherine Fyfe, Gerald Scanlan, Judy Whiteman, Michael Quigg, Denise Fox rsm (Chair). They were joined for the photo by Bishop Pat Dunn (Emeritus Bishop of Auckland), Sue France rsm (Congregation Leader, Nga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Sisters of Mercy New Zealand) and Bishop Steve Lowe (Bishop of Auckland).

The Whanau Mercy Ministries trustees applied to and were selected by Nga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Tiaki Manatu Sisters of Mercy Ministries Trust. The new trustees serve a term of three years.

Currently, it has not been determined where in New Zealand the Whanau Mercy Ministries trust will be based.

The incorporated ministries that will move into the new structure are in healthcare, education, community development and affordable housing for seniors. They are:

• Te Korowai Atawhai Mercy Hospice, Auckland
• Mercy Hospital, Dunedin
• Te Waipuna Puawai Mercy Oasis, Auckland
• Mercy Villas, Upper Hutt
• Coolock Cottages, Dunedin
• St Mary's College, Auckland
• Carmel College, Auckland
• St Mary's College, Wellington
• St Catherine's College, Wellington
• Villa Maria College, Christchurch

"For us as a Congregation, this is a profound moment of change. A seminal moment in our history and it has been a very important decision.

"The decision marks a shift in our journey as vowed mercy women in Aotearoa.

"In many ways, the shift has been made over time and now this is the final step, and we know it is the right one," said Sr Sue France rsm, the Congregation Leader of Nga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Sisters of Mercy New Zealand.

Source

• Supplied: Nga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Sisters of Mercy New Zealand