Priest Helping Homosexuals (Press, 13 April 1972)

On 12 April 1972, the New Zealand Press Association reported that a Roman Catholic priest, the Rev. F. Donnelly, had established a homosexual bureau in Auckland aimed at providing confidential advice and support to homosexuals. This initiative followed Father Donnelly's extensive six-month research, during which he sought out and interviewed 60 self-identified homosexuals to gain insight into their experiences and challenges. Holding a diploma in criminology and serving as a lecturer in community health at the Auckland University School of Medicine, Father Donnelly leveraged his background in education and youth outreach, having previously founded the Young Christian Students’ Movement and Youthline. Father Donnelly noted that homosexuals often lacked safe spaces to turn for help without the fear of incrimination. He emphasised the need for a supportive environment where individuals could receive empathetic and knowledgeable assistance regarding their sexuality. He projected that upon the bureau's establishment, many young people, particularly those aged 15 to 17, would seek help. He estimated that at least one in twenty individuals might be grappling with homosexual issues, highlighting that this figure could underrepresent the true number, as many individuals were uncertain about their sexuality. In addition to his work on the homosexual bureau, the report mentioned that the flood-damaged Kawatiri bridge over the Hope River was expected to reopen to traffic on the same day, marking a recovery from severe flooding that had affected the eastern approaches to the structure.

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