Introduction - Necessary to be Read

Dear Family members of the Sons,
Dear Friends of the Sons,

On 11 July 2024 I was convoked to the office of the Bishop of Christchurch.

The meeting was brief. Without any previous warning, I was given 15 documents that attempted to invoke Canon Law in relation to our community. The documents were unclear to the extreme. There is some confusion around to intentions. However it seems as though this was trying to imply that our community should leave the Christchurch diocese within 90 days. The documents were an attempt to withdraw the priests' authority to hear Confessions within the area of the diocese. A final document (different from the one below) attempted to suppress the private community of the Daughters of the Most Holy Redeemer and it ordered them to leave the diocese within 90 days.

The General Expulsion Document. No. 4/16.

This is the first time in the history of the Church in New Zealand that any religious order has been placed under expulsion decrees and precepts. These drastic measures are most unjust severe penalties. 

The Decrees and Precepts left each and all of us reeling. The Mainstream Media carried the news to New Zealand, and the Internet carried it beyond.

This blog registers our personal reflections on our experience that has culminated in, and pivoted from the decrees of the 10th July 2024.

It needs to be said that the decision to publicly defend ourselves has been slow. The reason being that we do not wish to cause ourselves further persecution. But finally we have decided that we cannot permit our reputation to be further sullied. We should not remain silent so that people, waiting to know how we feel, think that we must be guilty of some henious crimes. We also have close friends and family, and Faithful who come to Mass here, all of whom have been embarrassed and shamed. Therefore, we are bound to speak out and explain to all our friends and families just what we have been going through in this ordeal that is actually a mental persecution that has involved ostracization, shaming, calumny, bullying, threatening and even stalking.  

This is not a place for 'dialogue', there will be no 'Comments' section. 

This blog will have posts written by different people who want to tell you, our families and friends, just how it has been for them, or what we think important to note in the attempted expulsion of our community.

Peacefully, prayerfully and as well as we can, this is our offering for those who cannot understand why we are still here, still living in the Christchurch diocese; why we have appealed the Decrees and Precepts to Rome; and why we have not "shaken off the dust from our feet" and gone away. Yet, here we are! Hoping that the active Catholics in the diocese would decide to live together so that the Peace of Christ would Rejoice in our hearts.

Devotedly
Father Michael Mary, F.SS.R.
Rector Major and Superior General

13th November, 2024
Holy Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces and Rosa Mystica pray for us.