The Early Church Aotearoa New Zealand

Maori people had a rich spirituality and culture of their own.Their religion recognised the close relationship between different aspects of the created world – people, land, sky, plants, animals.

Every part of creation is tapu because every part of creation is linked with the spiritual powers. All tapu comes originally from Io, the Supreme Being. The highest expression of tapu is found in people. Acknowledging the tapu of people is done by recognising their dignity as human beings created by God.

Every created thing was tapu because every part of creation was linked with a spiritual being.

The arrival of the pakeha to Aotearoa brought Christian beliefs. Maori people were introduced to Christianity first by whalers, sealers and traders in the early 1800’s.

Samuel Marsden, an Anglican, was the first missionary to arrive in 1814.

He began preaching in the far north of Aotearoa.

Missionaries settled close to existing Maori communities.

The first Catholic missionaries arrived from France in 1838.

Bishop Jean Baptiste Pompallier arrived in the Hokianga, Bay of Islands, in January He had come from Lyons, France. He was 36, and spoke no Maori nor English, but soon learnt both. He wrote and published three prayer books in Maori during his time in Aotearoa.

The first Catholic Mass celebrated in Aotearoa by Bishop Pompallier.

The first Catholic mission stations were set up in the Bay of Islands.

The Bishop’s base was in the Bay of Islands, where he and his Marist priests taught Maori the Good News of Jesus Christ. Bishop Pompallier

Many Maori received the Good News and became teachers of the Word to others. They were called Catechists.

The Bishop and his missionaries travelled all over Aotearoa to preach the Word.

They walked great distances over rough terrain.

By 1841 Bishop Pompallier and his priests had started twelve mission stations.

In 1837, Fr Peter Chanel, who was a friend of Bishop Pompallier, travelled from France to the islands of Futuna in the Pacific Ocean, to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Fr. Chanel’s task was very difficult and few people became Christians. In April 1841, he was clubbed to death by the chief out of fear that he would lose his power if people became Christians.

Bishop Pompallier called at Futuna that year and was asked to send another priest. By the end of 1844, every Futunan had become a Catholic. Peter Chanel was made a saint in 1954 and is the patron saint of Oceania.

Bishop Pompellier made several trips back to France to raise money for the mission stations and to ask more missionaries to come.The Sisters of Mercy arrived in Later, a woman named Suzanne Aubert arrived from France, and established the Sisters of Our Lady of Compassion.

She established a mission station on the Whanganui River at Jerusalem for Maori people and became fluent in the language.

She became highly respected amongst Maori for her understanding of Maori medicine which she used to treat and heal the sick, both in Maori villages and European settlements, as she travelled on foot from place to place.

She even manufactured and sold herbal remedies which she had developed. They were very popular, and Mother Mary Joseph, as she was known, became a well known and well loved figure throughout the North Island.

Treaty of Waitangi

The Treaty – a binding relationship between Maori and the Crown, signed in The influence of Bishop Pompallier and other missionaries ensured that the Treaty protected religious freedom in Aotearoa.

Bishop Pompallier’s return from Lyons, France, to the Bay of Islands, Aotearoa, in April 2002.

New Zealand Bishops Pat Dunne and Max Mariu at Bishop Pompallier’s grave in Lyons, France. In a special ceremony, they brought his remains “home” to Aotearoa in a hikoi of returning, to lie amongst the people he preached to.

Bishop Pompallier is welcomed home by the people of the Hokianga.

The End By Zita Smith This Powerpoint Presentation fits with the Year 9 RE Curriculum and gives an overview of the Beginnings of the Church in NZ – 9F.