Elder Ian S. Ardern, Pacific Area President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, accompanied by his wife, Sister Paula Ardern, met with Cardinal John Dew, the Catholic Archbishop of Wellington, in Wellington on 17 December 2020.
First Counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency, Elder K. Brett Nattress, and his wife, Sister Shawna Nattress, accompanied Elder and Sister Ardern.
Note: Those pictured in the images are not socially distanced as the community spread of COVID-19 has been eliminated as of this publishing date in New Zealand.
Left to right: Sister Shawna Nattress; Elder K. Brett Nattress; His Eminence, Cardinal John Dew, Archbishop of Wellington; Elder Ian S. Ardern; and Sister Paula Ardern. 17 December 2020.
Left to right: Sister Shawna Nattress; Elder K. Brett Nattress; His Eminence, Cardinal John Dew, Archbishop of Wellington; Elder Ian S. Ardern; and Sister Paula Ardern. 17 December 2020.2020 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The meeting took place in the Wellington Catholic Centre just a short distance from New Zealand’s Parliament buildings.
On behalf of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Ardern and Elder Nattress presented to Cardinal Dew a donation to the Catholic Church to assist in its work to alleviate suffering and strengthen families and individuals experiencing challenges in their lives.
The donation was made possible due to the charitable donations of members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world to the Church’s humanitarian fund.
"We were delighted to meet with Cardinal John and his associate Anne Dickinson today,” Elder Ardern said.
“While we have some differences in doctrine, we have much in common with our Catholic brothers and sisters. We love Jesus Christ, and strive to follow His teachings and example; we work to strengthen marriages and families; we believe in the sanctity of life; and in helping the poor and the needy with their immediate challenges, and also to become more self-reliant through service, education and gentle support.”
Elder Ardern and Elder Nattress presented Cardinal Dew with copies of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” in both Te Reo Māori and English. This proclamation outlines The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ doctrine on marriage and family.
Elder Ian S. Ardern and Elder K. Brett Nattress present Cardinal John Dew with a copy of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World."
Elder Ian S. Ardern and Elder K. Brett Nattress present Cardinal John Dew with a copy of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World."2020 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Elder Ardern thanked the Cardinal for his service to the people of New Zealand and for past opportunities to work together on common causes to help individuals, families and communities.
“We look forward to future opportunities," Elder Ardern said, "for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and The Catholic Church to work together on common causes, especially with respect to serving the poor and the needy.”
Cardinal John expressed appreciation for the visit and for opportunities to work together on common causes in the future.