A Liturgy Of Lament

A Service of Lamentation

On Thursday, 5 September 2024 at 7pm in the Transitional Cathedral, everyone was invited to attend a Liturgy of Lament in response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.

We cannot move forward if we cannot recognise the impact of our past.

It is the intent of the liturgists responsible for the creation of this service to address what has been, what is, and to give voice to a future for the diocese where we work together for a safe, inclusive church.

We acknowledge that there may be ongoing liturgical needs for some who have been harmed within a Church context. It would be arrogant for us to seek to shape what these individuals need. We wish to empower survivors to create liturgical responses which are tailored to their needs as defined by them.

Finally, we recognise that this subject can be triggering and deeply uncomfortable to face – yet we cannot turn away. To allow people to decide if this liturgy is safe for them at this time, we invite you to click on A Liturgy of Lament to see the service.

The following are the apologies read by Bishop Peter Carrell, and Archbishop Justin Duckworth at the Liturgy of Lament on Thursday, 5 September 2024 at the Transitional Cathedral:

Bishop Peter’s statement of apology for the Diocesan Liturgy of Lament

Archbishop Justin’s statement of apology:

E Ihowā, tohungia mātou,
E Te Karaiti, tohungia mātou,
E Ihowā, tohungia mātou,

Lord, have mercy,
Christ, have mercy,
Lord, have mercy,

Ka nui ngā mihi ki ngā mate huhua puta noa o Aotearoa, o ngā motu o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa, ko tā mātou
inoi ki te Atua, kia noho pai koutou e te hunga kua whetū rangitia ki ngā ringaringa atawhai a Te Karaiti, ā
ki a tātau te hunga ora Māna anō e muru i ngā roimata katoa; ā kia kore ake he mamae, otirā kia
māturuturu te tōmairangi atawhai o Te Tokotoru Tapu ki a koutou.

We extend our greetings to all those who have passed in New Zealand and the Pacific islands. Our prayers are for all you who have passed to rest in the compassionate embrace of Christ, while we who continue to live seek hope in God’s promise to alleviate our sorrow and grief. May God’s heavenly blessings rest upon us all.

Tēnei mātou ko ngā hepara o te Hāhi e piko nei kei te hinapōuri, ka tangi, ka māringi i ngā roimata mō te hunga mōrehu. Tēnei mātau ka mihi atu nei ki a koutou i runga i te ngākau rīpenetā. Kotahi tonu te inoi ki te Atua, kia tau mai tōna Wairua aroha ki a koutou, ā Māna anō hoki mātou ko te hunga hara e ārahi ki ngā ara o te tika.

We the Archbishops of the church express profound grief for the survivors, extending our greeting to you all with a repentant heart. Our prayer is for God to bestow God’s comforting Spirit upon each of you the survivors and to guide us who have caused great pain and committed wrong towards the path of justice and reconciliation.

E te whānau a Te Karaiti, tēnā tātau.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care has released its report, which highlights abuse that occurred in Anglican communities in Aotearoa New Zealand between 1950- 1999.

Please hold the survivors of abuse in your hearts and prayers – some of whom participated in the Inquiry, courageously sharing traumatic experiences for justice and change.

Our Archbishops Don Tamihere, Justin Duckworth and Sione Ulu’ilakepa have asked that we share this statement from them within each of our churches across Aotearoa New Zealand.

“We acknowledge and take full responsibility for our failures to provide the safe, caring and nurturing environment those who have been in our care had a right to expect and to receive.”

“Our apology at the Royal Commission to survivors of abuse was heartfelt and genuine and we can only stand in awe of their courage and endurance. We owe it to survivors to ensure that this Report is a catalyst for great change.

It is crucial that the whole Church takes direction and advice on this. We know that we still have a long way to go.

We call on all who identify as Anglican; whether churches, schools or agencies to study this Report’s recommendations and to commit themselves to the principles and practices that ensure the highest standards of care.”

The Archbishops have also reminded us of the safeguards we have in place to help make our church a safe space for everyone.

Anyone who is a survivor of historic abuse in the Anglican Church who wish to engage with the Church about that abuse are encouraged to email: contact@anglicanredress.nz

Anyone wishing to make a current complaint can contact the Ministry Standards Commission registrar by email on: registrar@ministrystandards.org

The Archbishops have shared the following prayers.

E te Atua Atawhai, tēnei mātau e koropiko ana
ki mua i tōu aroaro i runga i te ngākau pōuri.
Nā te mea, tē taea mātau i rongo, i kite,
Nā te waha ngū ka whakakino mātau i te ngā harakore me ngā ngoikore.
E te Ariki, whakakahangia rātou ko te hunga mōrehu,
Arahina mātou ki te tika.
E te Ariki, whakarongo mai ki tā mātau inoi.
Āmine

Merciful God, we come to you in sorrow.
We would not hear, we did not believe,
Our silence condemned the innocent and the powerless.
Lord, strengthen and empower the survivors now,
and align our hearts with your justice.
God, hear our prayer.
Amen

Additionally, as Archbishop of New Zealand, I acknowledge that some thirty years ago, my predecessor, the Most Reverend Brian Davis was due to make an apology in a Cathedral liturgy in Christchurch, for insensitive reported remarks about women who had brought complaints about the Reverend Rob McCullough to church authorities. That liturgy did not actually take place. Here in the Transitional Cathedral in 2024 I take this opportunity in this liturgy of lament to finally deliver such apology. I apologise for the insensitivity of those remarks made by my predecessor and acknowledge the hurt those remarks caused those who heard them directly or read them in reports.