Chch Expected To Be On Pope’s N.Z. Itinerary (Press, 12 June 1985)

Pope John Paul II is set to visit New Zealand in late November 1986, marking a historic first for the country. Cardinal Thomas Williams, the Metropolitan of New Zealand, announced during a press conference that while the specific dates are still being finalised, the visit is expected to span three days and cover major centres including Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland, with potential stops in Dunedin, Palmerston North, and Hamilton. The itinerary aims to encompass all six Catholic dioceses in New Zealand. The invitation for the Pope to visit was extended by Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island nations at the end of 1983, and his acceptance was officially communicated to Cardinal Williams during an Australasian bishops' meeting in Sydney. This timing is particularly significant, as 1986 will commemorate the 150th anniversary of Bishop Jean Pompallier's consecration, the first Catholic Bishop of New Zealand. Both Cardinal Williams and Prime Minister David Lange expressed their anticipation for the visit, highlighting the Pope's ability to connect with people during his past travels. The Papal visit is expected to require substantial security preparations, with plans to be developed once the dates and itinerary are confirmed. Cardinal Williams noted that it would be more complex to organise compared to Pope John Paul II’s earlier visit to New Zealand in 1973 when he was Cardinal Karol Wojtyla and attended a congress in Melbourne. Although serious protests are not anticipated, some groups, such as the pro-abortion lobby WONAAC, suggested that they may organise some form of demonstration. Phil Parkinson from the Gay Task Force indicated that while there may be some spontaneous protests regarding the Pope's views on homosexuality if related legislation fails, the community is currently focused on other priorities and lacks the energy for coordinated action. Cardinal Williams stated that the visit will be coordinated with the Australian Catholic Church, which has designated a priest to accompany the Pope through other countries before arriving in New Zealand. The location for the Pope's accommodation during the visit has yet to be determined, but it is likely he will stay with Archbishop Antonio Magnoni, New Zealand's Apostolic Pro-Nuncio. Archbishop Magnoni described the visit as a time of joy and blessings for all New Zealanders, emphasizing the Pope's desire to promote fraternity, peace, and Christian values in his pastoral outreach during the visit.

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