New Zealand Catholic Ecumenism Commission

Bilateral dialogues

At present the Catholic Church participates in three bilateral dialogues:

the Anglican – Roman Catholic which meets in Auckland

the Methodist – Roman Catholic which meets alternately in Hamilton and Auckland

the Presbyterian – Roman Catholic which meets in Dunedin.

The National Commission for Ecumenism appoints people to the dialogues, with the confirmation of the Bishops Conference, sends the dialogues the Commission Minutes and receives regular reports from them. The dialogues discuss various subjects arranged by their membership, for example, topics over the last year or so have included:

Anglican – Roman Catholic: “The Gift of Authority”, development of doctrine, the Reformation

Methodist – Roman Catholic: Methodist commitment to Ecumenism, Church music, Art and Theology.

Presbyterian – Roman Catholic: WCC paper on “The Nature and Purpose of the Church”, organisation and evaluation of a Vigil for Good Friday.

Presbyterian / Roman Catholic Dialogue
Presbyterian Personnel
Phyllis Varcoe	Elder Knox Church Dunedin; Lay preacher; Former Moderator of the Presbyterian Assembly
John Brinsley	Retired minister of the Presbyterian Church and former member of priests' and ministers' councils
Ruth Davis	Member of Mosgiel North Taieri Presbyterian Church; Lecturer/Facilitator at Holy Cross College Formation Centre
Keith Robertson	Historian, Teacher (retired), Minister, Former Assmebly Clerk

Catholic Personnel
Bishop Emeritus Len Boyle	Chairman
Father David Hercus	Chaplain to the Sisters and Residents of the Home of the Little Sisiters of the Poor
Bernice Armstrong	Head teacher (retired)
Sister Mary Concannon: O.P.	Leader in Spiritual Growth Programmes
Michael Prince	Secondary School teacher
Denis Donovan	Teacher (retired); Diocesan liaison person

Methodist / Roman Catholic Dialogue
Methodist Personnel
Reverend Tovia Aumua	Representing Sinoti Samoa
Mrs Raewyn Luxton	Laywoman from Te Aroha Co-operating Parish
Ms Winifred Murray	Auckland laywoman (leave of absence)
Ms Fuailelagi Samoa Saleupolu	Representing Tauiwi Methodist Youth
Reverend Dr. John Salmon	Retired presbyter working for Board of Ministry
Reverend Alan Upson	District Superintendent Taranaki-Wanganui Synod
Reverend Terry Wall	Convenor Faith & Order Committee
Reverend Dr. Susan Thompson	Hamilton Parish (Occasional substitute)

Catholic Personnel
Fr Graeme Alexander	Convenor Studied at Collegio de Propaganda Fidei, Rome. Is Doctor of Divinity. Has worked in 9 parishes since ordination in 1957. Currently at St. Patrick’s, Taupo.
Fr. Gerard Boyce	Studied and worked with Jesuits in Sydney in 1990s. Currently curate at St. Mary Immaculate Parish, Tauranga.
Sue Kenrick	Worked in management, finance and HR. Has been actively involved in parish activities for many years. Currently a member of the Cathedral parish in Hamilton.
Sr. Eleni Melaea Tutukimoela Tapueluelu	Member of the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Assumption. Has worked in Ireland, Wales, France and USA. Currently working with refugees and migrants and a member of the Holy Cross Seminary Council.
Fr. Pat Bridgman	Parish Priest of Nelson.

ANGLICAN / Roman Catholic Dialogue
Anglican Personnel
Bishop David Moxon	Bishop of Waikato. Co-convenor of ARCCANZ
Mr Stephen Anderson	Lay representative of the Diocese of Auckland

Reverend Brother Brian Harley SSF	Member of the Society of St Francis with a longstanding interest in ecumenism
Reverend Rob McKay	Maori Anglican Church
Reverend Pat Scaife	Representative from the Taranaki region

Catholic Personnel

Bishop John Cunneen	Bishop of Christchurch, Bishops' Conference Deputy for Ecumenism, co-convenor of ARCCANZ
Fr John Fitzmaurice	Parish Priest of Bishopdale and Papanui in the Diocese opf Christchurch
Fr Peter Janssen SM	Lecturer in systematic theology at Good Shepherd Theological College, Auckland
Fr. Yvan Sergy	Fidei Donum Priest, Diocese of Hamilton
Fr Paul Williamson SM	Pastoral Assistant at St. Mary of the Angels, Wellington, with a doctorate in systematic theology and a strong interest in all areas of theology, with a special interest in sacramental and foundational theology and theological methodologies
Mrs Kathryn Waters	Lay representative from the Diocese of Auckland, Secretary to the Dialogue

	Christian Unity Prayer - 2008 "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thess 5: 13b-18) Personal and Communal Prayer for Christian Unity
	Anglican Statement from the Co-Chairmen of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission.
	A Commentary on The Gift of Authority of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission.
	Assyrian Church of the East Common Christological Declaration between the Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East.
	The Discourse of His Holiness, Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos-Patriarch of of the East, to John Paul II, Bishop of Rome and Catholic Pope.
	Guidelines for admission to the Eucharist between the Chaldean Church and the Assyrian Church of the East.
	Evangelicals That they may all be one: The Imperatives and Prospects of Christian Unity.
	The Christian Mission in the Third Millennium, the Gift of Salvation, Your Word is Truth and the Communion of Saints.
	Lutheran Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification by the Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church.
	Official Common Statement by the Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church and the Annex to the Official Common Statement.
	Vatican Directory on Ecumenism and the Second Vatican Council.