In 2023 Te Hui Katorika o Te Haahi Mihingare - The Anglo-Catholic Hui – centres on the feast of the Nativity of Mary and a Waikato pilgrimage, and will for the first time be hosted and led conjointly by Māori and Pākehā Anglicans based in Te Hui Amorangi o Te Manawa o Te Wheke and the Diocese of Waikato.

The 2023 Anglo-Catholic Hui kicks off on Thursday 7 September with a 4pm pōwhiri start at the Waikato Cathedral Church of St Peter in Kirikiriroa-Hamilton, followed by an opening mass and dinner.

2023 Hui organiser Fr Cruz Karauti-Fox said that this year the hui will add onto the tradition of conference-style presentations with a day of Anglo-Catholic spirituality in action, as participants board buses for the full second day of the hui spent on pilgrimage to Kihikihi, Ōtāwhao, Ōrākau and Rangiaowhia. On pilgrimage, Waikato kaumatua and church leaders will share the history of their places, including critical incidents in Waikato Anglican and Catholic history that still inform the life of the church and communities today. 

“It is a good opportunity to visit these very poignant spaces that really define the church and spirituality in Waikato for Māori and Pākehā, even today.” said Fr Cruz.

Cruz says that the Waikato saw some of the worst war crimes in this country’s history, when unspeakable violence was inflicted on tangata whenua by the colonial military after they had put their trust in the church’s sanctuary. That means that the Waikato is a place where the inheritance of these actions still calls for healing and restoration.

“So this will be a bicultural journey with Mary, shaped in Catholic spirituality, but also connected with the Anglo-Catholic commitment to justice, especially restorative justice.” 

As well as walking with Mary on pilgrimage, Archbishop Emeritus David Moxon will join a panel of local theological thinkers to unpack the varying roles and understandings of Mary across the Christian churches, particularly highlighting the nuances of doctrine between Anglicans and Catholics.

Archbishop David will draw on his intricate knowledge of Anglican and Catholic teachings on Mary, including the knowledge he gained during his time as Co-Chair of the Anglican- Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) from 2011-2018.

Next, Archbishop David will delve into the perspectives which distinguish Anglican and Roman Catholic approaches to the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry, pinpointing where potential conflicts between the two traditions sit alongside common beliefs and opportunities for cooperation. 

Fr Cruz will share his insights on the topic of Hākarametatanga, which takes a look at Māori popular spirituality and the ways in which many lean towards a sacramental view of God’s presence and communication in the world.

Picking up on the story of Anglo-Catholicism within the Pākehā Diocese of Waikato, visiting South Island scholar Fr Hugh Bowron will present a paper on the Anglo-Catholic charism of Bishop Cecil Cherrington, who while Bishop of Waikato (1926-1950) founded the Waikato Diocesan School for Girls.

Due to a recent spike in enquiries, online registrations for the Anglo-Catholic Hui 2023 have now been extended up to 13 August 2023. 

To register for the Anglo-Catholic Hui go to:

https://www.trybooking.com/nz/events/landing/9499

For more info: anglocatholichui2023@gmail.com

The Anglo-Catholic Hui aims to inspire those from the catholic tradition of Anglicanism to be a positive force for the Gospel and a model for effective mission in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia today. Haere mai koutou, huihui mai tātou, everyone welcome.