On 12 November 2025, Te Kupenga–Catholic Theological College joined people across Aotearoa in observing the National Day of Reflection for Survivors of Abuse in Care, called by the Prime Minister as part of the national process of truth-telling and apology. The purpose of this day was to remember survivors and victims of abuse, to lament the harm done in institutions that should have been places of safety, and to renew our collective commitment to care and justice.
At midday, staff and students from the Catholic Theological College, Holy Cross Seminary, and Te Kupenga gathered at St Columba Centre for a Liturgy of Lament. The liturgy, led by Sarah Hart with contributions from colleagues Robert Blucher, Fr Brendan Daly, Alison Munro, and Rocio Figueroa, created a sacred space of remembrance, truth, and prayer.
After a welcome and the singing of Te Aroha, the community was invited to light a candle—a simple but powerful gesture marking the desire for God’s presence amid grief and shame. The opening reflection named the sorrow and anger that flow from the betrayal of trust within Church institutions: parishes, schools, and programmes that were meant to care for children and young people but became places of suffering.
The Gospel reading from Matthew 18 reminded all present of Jesus’ words about children as the greatest in the kingdom of heaven and his stern warning against causing harm to “the little ones.” This was followed by the testimony of survivor Jim Goodwin, whose voice bore witness to both the enduring pain and the strength of those who have lived through abuse.
Fr Brendan Daly then offered a sober reflection on the history of the very building where the liturgy took place—acknowledging that it, too, had been a site of harm. His words grounded the prayer in concrete memory, refusing abstraction or denial.
A moving ritual with stones, introduced by Rocio Figueroa, invited participants to come forward in silence, each placing a stone in a shared bowl. The stones represented grief, collective responsibility, and the longing for healing and transformation. This simple gesture expressed what words could not: that lament and hope must coexist, and that remembrance must lead to conversion.
The Prayers of the Faithful, led by Alison Munro, gave voice to intercessions for survivors, for those who still live in silence, for Church leaders, and for faith communities learning to rebuild trust. The repeated response—E te Ariki, whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou (“Lord, hear our prayer”)—wove Māori language and prayer into the heart of the liturgy, embodying the inclusive spirit of lament.
The liturgy concluded with a prayer for integrity, compassion, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in creating a safer Church. The gathered community then joined in song, carrying the memory of the day with quiet reverence.
This Liturgy of Lament was not an end but a beginning—a step toward ongoing truth, healing, and accountability. By remembering together, Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College affirms that faith must face reality and that prayer, when rooted in honesty, can become a place of transformation.
As the candle’s flame flickered in the stillness of St Columba Centre, one truth remained clear: only through remembrance, repentance, and reform can the Church become again a place of trust and safety for all God’s children.
