Dear People of the Diocese of Palmerston North

I want to take this opportunity to write this short message to you as you hear the news that I am to be the next Bishop of Palmerston North. I am very happy to be soon living among the people of the Manawatu and I’m excited to be sharing with you the great adventure of faith. I assure you of my desire to be a good and holy bishop as we together work to make the person of Jesus Christ known and loved by the people of our region.

I will take the opportunity to visit the parishes of our diocese as quickly as I can over the weeks and months following my ordination. During that time I hope to spend as much time as possible listening to your experiences of the grace of God in your life and the hopes and fears you have for the Church in our diocese.

I also intend to take seriously the role of the episcopal ministry of sanctifying, teaching and governing the People of God. So that, to quote the Second Vatican Council, we might continue to become “a people brought into unity from the unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

Finally, I want to make the renewal of our parishes a first priority in this diocese so that our experience of Sunday mass and our general experience of parish life might lead us all to an ardent spirtual reawakening and greater desire for each of us become missionary disciples.

I please ask of you your prayers as I finish my time in Christchurch and prepare to shift north to join you all.

In Him

Fr John Adams
Bishop Elect Diocese of Palmerston North