3 Visit to New Zealand

His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Paul visited New Zealand during the weekend 2 - 5 December 2005.  He spent most of his time with Saint George parish in Auckland, and briefly visited Wellington on his return to Sydney.

Ordination of Deacon 

On Sunday 4 December 2005, during the celebration of the divine liturgy in Auckland, John Hubbard was ordained deacon. Father Deacon John will be serving with Father George Bosauder. Congratulations to Father Deacon John and his family, Father George, and Saint George parish in Auckland.

Administrative visit to Wellington

On Monday 5 December 2005, His Eminence Paul took an early flight to Wellington where he visited the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Wellington, His Grace Archbishop John Dew.  He was accompanied by Father Ian.  Amongst other matters, the two Archbishops continued exploring the possibility of accepting Orthodox students into Catholic Schools. 

This was a continuation of a discussion which started with the previous Roman Catholic Archbishop, Cardinal Thomas Williams, who retired in April 2005.

His Eminence also visited Mr Gordon Copeland MP at the national parliament.  Mr Copeland discussed his role as the sponsoring MP for our Church bill which will establish His Eminence as a corporation sole. (He has been working with Father Ian on this since late 2002).  Mr Copeland also discussed his upcoming "defence of marriage" bill (which was defeated at its first reading a few days later), and what role he could take in placing our Church in Schedule 1 of the New Zealand Marriage Act.

Finally, His Eminence Paul paid a brief visit to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese to greet the new Greek Metropolitan Bishop, His Eminence Amphilochios.  The purpose was to welcome His Eminence Amphilochios and to discuss the possibilities of some coordination between the two sisters Orthodox Churches in New Zealand.