Bishop Lowe elected to second term as NZCBC president

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Auckland Bishop Steve Lowe was elected to a second term as president of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference in Hamilton last week, during the NZCBC�s quarterly meeting.

The president and vice-president of the NZCBC are appointed to three-year terms. Bishop Michael Dooley of Dunedin was elected to a second term as vice-president, with Archbishop Paul Martin SM reappointed as the Conference�s general secretary.

Bishop Lowe said the New Zealand bishops work very collaboratively, which is a source of comfort for him as president.

�There are some tasks that I am required to undertake as president of the Conference, but I am grateful for the constant support that my brother bishops offer in our shared ministry of leadership,� he said.

One of the NZCBC�s four meetings each year is hosted on a rotating basis between Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Christchurch and Dunedin.

During last week�s meeting, Hamilton Bishop Richard Laurenson blessed a new statue of the diocese�s patron, St Peter Chanel, on his feast day of April 28. It was placed within the courtyard of the new diocesan offices, adjacent to the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Bishop Lowe said the NZCBC meeting examined some key issues for the Church in New Zealand, including the recent increase in people becoming Catholic, the work of key national agencies and initiatives to engage with the wider community.

�Each meeting of the Bishops Conference provides us a chance to assess how the mission of the Church is being carried out through our country, and that is a source of joy and pride,� he said.

�But we also look at ways in which we can better serve our people � laity, priests and consecrated � and contribute to the national debate.�

A summary of the NZCBC�s meeting and key agenda items can be accessed here.