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Tui Motu Interislands Monthly Independent Catholic Magazine September 2013 | $6 Tui Motu InterIslands monthly independent Catholic magazine September 2013 | $6 75th anniversary of the Social Security Act 1938 . editorial a breath of fresh air ecently Pope Francis, in talk- is a breath of fresh air . When it is the for not taking the ‘opportunities’ that ing to the Missionaries of Pope, we sit up and take notice . It is the free market creates . David Clark Charity sisters in Rome, has an opportunity for people of faith, gives us the story of Nordmeyer, Rcontinued his critique of the domi- an opportunity which should not be McMillan and Davidson (minister, nance of capitalism in our world . lost here in Aotearoa New Zealand . doctor and school principal living in “Unbridled capitalism has taught the Because the same problems and indif- Kurow — “Could any good come out logic of profit at any cost, of giving ference to suffering lie at the heart of of Kurow?”) . These Presbyterian gen- in order to receive, of exploitation the economic system which controls tlemen saw the effects of the depression without looking at the person … in this country . Could we not look at Pope and believed that faith without works the crisis we are now living through ”. Francis’ idea when judging our current is dead . They followed so clearly in the When Bangladesh garment factories economic system? He says, “Concern footsteps of the Reverend Rutherford recently collapsed killing many, we for the fundamental material and spir- Waddell, minister of St . Matthew’s saw on TV the appalling conditions itual welfare of every human person Church in Dunedin, and father of the which the workers suffered, condi- is the starting-point for every political anti-sweating legislation of the 1890s . tions which are at the heart of our and economic solution and the ulti- Together these men certainly fulfill the current global economic system (the mate measure of its effectiveness and criteria for true leadership of which garment market in Bangladesh earns its ethical validity” . The Pope places Mike Riddell speaks when talking 19 billion US dollars annually for concern for each human being before about the current lack of such a grace in those who control it) . Pope Francis questions of efficiency and profit . this country . According to him, leader- called this system “slave labour” . On This month we are celebrating the ship requires conviction and courage . a journey to Lampedusa, the south- 75th anniversary of the passing of Waddell, Davidson, McMillan and ernmost point of Italy where many the Social Security Act 1938 . As Pat Nordmeyer can each claim these migrants arrive, the Pope spoke of Harrison reminds us, this Act was a virtues . They have left a permanent the “globalization of indifference” response to the great depression pov- mark on the history of Aotearoa New towards immigrants, saying we have erty, heralded the desire for an inclu- Zealand . Who, now, has the courage become too used to the suffering of sive society and was concerned with of their convictions and the vision to others . “It doesn’t affect us . It doesn’t each human being . John Hughes traces follow in their footsteps? interest us . It’s not our business ”. carefully the slow dismantling of the We need that breath of fresh air . To hear someone talking about Act, moving from a vision of inclusion KT the logic of our world in this way to one where the poor are now blamed Editorial . .2 Myths to debunk . 19 Brian Turner and Murray Horton contents Caritas and the constitutional review . 3 Glimpses in the vastness . 20–21 Letters to the editor . 4 Jeph Mathias Comment: Wellington witness . 5 Nakba and memoricide . 22–23 Jim Consedine Lois Griffiths Without a vision . 6–7 St Hilda of Whitby . 24–25 Mike Riddell Susan Brebner Look to the future through the Lazarus outside the door . 26–27 eyes of a child . 8–9 Kathleen Rushton Pat Harrison Book and film reviews . 28–29 Insight, leadership, compassion . 10–11 Crosscurrents David Clark . 30 Jim Elliston The politics of exclusion . 12–13 A model of kindness and humility John Hughes . 31 Peter Norris Egalitarianism revisited . 14–15 A mother’s journal Jenny Te Paa Daniel . 32 Kaaren Mathias Staying at Noeline’s . 16–17 Robin Kearns Front cover L-R: Dr David Gervan McMIllan, Mr Andrew Faith and light celebrated 25 years on . 18–19 Davidson, and the Rev Arnold Nordmeyer, architects of the Anne-Marie Pike principles behind the Social Security Act 1938, in the Waitaki Valley . [Illustration by Donald Moorhead] 2 Tui Motu InterIslands September 2013 caritas and the constitutional review n a previous issue (TM July 2013, p3) we referred to a formal observation of a set of rules but is the fruit of a the current constitutional review and the discussions convinced acceptance of the values that inspire democratic regarding a written constitution for Aotearoa New procedures: the dignity of every human person, the respect IZealand . Caritas has contributed thoughtfully to the debate of human rights, commitment to the common good as the in an excellent submission to the Constitutional Advisory purpose and guiding criterion for political life . If there is Panel . We include here the preamble and a brief summary no general consensus on these values, the deepest mean- of the key points of that submission . ing of democracy is lost and its stability is compromised ”. “An authentic democracy is not merely the result of (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church #407) n Summary of key points • Caritas welcomes the Constitution o Waitangi is the fundamental need to be more comprehensive, Conversation . agreement on which is based our it needs to be superior law, and • Catholic social teaching provides lives together as tāngata whenua/ the Courts must have the ability to fundamental principles about the first peoples and all who have uphold it . role of the State and the exercise of subsequently settled and are • Caritas believes there continues to political power which are useful in settling here . Our constitutional be an argument for maintaining Māori considering the questions raised in arrangements must reflect and seats, but notes that all positive the Constitutional Review . honour that agreement . discrimination measures must be • The New Zealand Catholic Bishops • New Zealanders need to recognise monitored and reassessed . Conference have proposed a that while historic injustices under • Better structures than Māori seats preamble to a written constitution in Article 2 of the Treaty/te Tiriti may are likely to be found through their submission, and their previous have been addressed to some extent dialogue and discussion about how statements on matters such as the through the settlement process, there our constitutional arrangements place of the Treaty of Waitangi also are significant Article 1 questions better reflect the Treaty of Waitangi/te offer guidance on how Catholic about sovereignty/tino rangatiratanga Tiriti o Waitangi. social teaching applies in our and governorship/kāwanatanga • In the absence of better checks and context . which are yet to be addressed . balances and stronger human rights • Caritas recognises both positive • The passing of the New Zealand protections one of the few existing and negative aspects to our present Bill of Rights Act 1990 (NZBoRA) protections against abuse of power ‘unwritten constitution’ . However, was a step forward in recognising in New Zealand is our short three- on balance we favour a superior- human rights . However, NZBoRA year electoral term . Caritas does law, written constitution, to ensure has not prevented New Zealand from not support extending the term of that New Zealand law-makers and passing discriminatory legislation, government under the constitutional the public alike are better informed and it does not sufficiently recognise status quo . about constitutional matters and all New Zealand’s commitments To see the full submission go to: more easily able to see where under international human rights www .caritas .org .nz/resources/ fundamental constitutional matters agreements and instruments, submissions/2013/constitutional- are being changed . particularly the right to life . review-2013 • The Treaty of Waitangi/te Tiriti • The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act Tui Motu – InterIslands is an independent, address: Independent Catholic Magazine Ltd, P O Box 6404, Dunedin North, 9059 Catholic, monthly magazine. It invites its phone: (03) 477 1449 readers to question, challenge and contrib- fax: (03) 477 8149 ute to its discussion of spiritual and social email: [email protected] issues in the light of gospel values, and in website: www.tuimotu.org the interests of a more just and peaceful TuiMotuInterIslands society. Inter-church and inter-faith dialogue is welcomed. editor: Kevin Toomey OP assistant editor: Elizabeth Mackie OP The name Tui Motu was given by Pa Henare Tate. illustrator: Donald Moorhead It literally means “stitching the islands together...”, directors: Susan Brebner, Rita Cahill RSJ, Philip Casey (chair), bringing the different races and peoples and Neil Darragh, Paul Ferris, Robin Kearns, Elizabeth Mackie OP faiths together to create one Pacific people of ISSM 1174-8931 God. Divergence of opinion is expected and will honorary directors: Pauline O’Regan RSM, Frank Hoffmann Issue number 175 normally be published, although that does not typesetting and layout: Greg Hings necessarily imply editorial commitment to the printers: Southern Colour Print, 1 Turakina Road, Dunedin viewpoint expressed. South, 9012 3 Tui Motu InterIslands September 2013 letters to the editor suffering from unsound Mass daily and am still active in the letters to the editor economics parish, but when my children and I We welcome comment, die, we will all be in the presence of I have just read Bishop Cullinane’s discussion, argument, debate . Jesus . Of this I am sure . perceptive article (TM July 2013, p24) But please keep letters under Paddy Mc Cann, Paraparaumu “Human Dignity — the starting point 200 words .
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