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Wellington (Agenzia Fides) - “As Archbishop Coadjutor, I need to be reminded even more of the task of Shepherd. I ask for your ongoing prayers for me as I accept this responsibility so that I will listen faithfully, guide, lead walk alongside and feed the People of God of the Church of Wellington”. These words are part of a reflection by Archbishop John Dew, appointed Coadjutor of Wellington on May 24. Archbishop Dew will succeed Cardinal Thomas Stafford Williams who reaches the age of retirement in March next year 2005.
In his reflection addressed to the people of the archdiocese and published on the Catholic On line News for the Wellington and Palmerston North Dioceses web site and sent also to Fides, the Archbishop said: “For the last nine years I have been privileged to work alongside Cardinal Tom and will continue to work alongside him over the coming months. During those year I have seen how dedicated and committed our Archbishop has been in his almost twenty five years of service as Archbishop. I have learnt, and hopefully will continue to learn from his wisdom, his pastoral insights and his whole hearted desire to serve the Church and the people of the Archdiocese, his wish to always think and act according to the mind of the Church”.
The new Coadjutor Archbishop recalled that he was ordained a priest in 1976 precisely on Good Shepherd Sunday and that when he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop he chose a Good Shepherd ring. Mgr Dew said that in carrying out his ministry he has always kept in mind the words of the Risen Jesus - Feed my sheep.
“I pray now that I will do all I can to feed the people of this Church and I know that I need to be fed by you. Over the last nine years I know that I have been fed and nourished by the prayer, commitment and enthusiasm of the wonderful people who give of themselves to the Church in many ways. Thank you!”.
The Archbishop said he is aware that to imitate Jesus the Good Shepherd, “means sacrifice and hard work and long hours, I am prepared to do that. I hope that my voice will faithfully echo the voice of Jesus and his Church”.
“I am honoured to be chosen for this task. We belong to a wonderful Church. This is due to the prayerfulness and outstanding generosity of you all” Archbishop Dew concluded
New Zealand has a population of 3.8 million including 470,000 Catholics. The Archdiocese of Wellington, the capital, has a population of 560,000 including 82,000 Catholics.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/6/2004 lines 38 words 400)
