Archbishop John Dew has reached agreement with the Society of Mary that the area of the former St Joseph’s Parish Mt Victoria will be removed from the Catholic Parish of Wellington South and incorporated into St Mary of the Angels (Wellington Central) Parish.
In accord with Canon 121 St Mary of the Angels Parish will acquire the properties which were patrimonial goods of the former St Joseph’s Parish, Mt Victoria.
The Catholic Parish of Wellington South Finance Committee will look into what portion of any cash should go to St Mary of the Angels Parish and what should be retained by the Catholic Parish of Wellington South. As the Parish Priest and the appointer of the members of the Finance Committee, I will make sure that the composition of the Finance Committee is balanced for this discussion, and that the process is fair. The options range from all of it being retained by Wellington South through to all of it going to St Mary of the Angels. It is not an option for the Catholic Parish of Wellington South to transfer to St Mary of the Angels more cash than was brought into the Parish by St Joseph’s at the time of amalgamation.
Once a decision has been reached about the cash patrimony, Archbishop John will issue a decree changing the boundaries of the two parishes to bring into effect the transfer of the area of the former St Joseph’s Parish to St Mary of the Angels Parish.
Fr Doug Shepherd