A Shared Witness of Compassion at Wellington Cathedral
Parishes from our Anglican Movement joined faith communities, social service agencies and members of our communities at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul on Sunday, for an overnight vigil opposing the proposed Move-on orders.
Beginning at 6 pm with kai, over 250 people came throughout the vigil. Some came for an hour, others stayed through the night, but all shared a common commitment: to pray, listen, talk together and stand alongside people experiencing homelessness and vulnerability.
Assistant Bishop Anashuya Fletcher, who remained at the Cathedral overnight, described the gathering as a distinctly Christian expression of the church’s calling.
“What an amazing and beautiful witness it was of the church coming together. We stand together to voice our concern over the proposed treatment of some of our most vulnerable people.”
“These orders fall short of the Aotearoa we wish to be. They certainly aren’t reflective of the compassion of Jesus and the dignity we all share as God’s beloved children.
“There is strong evidence for housing programmes that effectively support people facing hardship. Increasing housing stock availability alongside greater investment in our health and social service agencies would allow these solutions to be expanded. Instead of moving people on, we suggest the government invest in solutions that make a difference to people in our community doing it tough,” she said.
The vigil took place in response to the Government’s proposed introduction of move-on orders, legislation that would allow police to require people sleeping rough to relocate or face penalties. Participants prayed for compassionate responses to homelessness, signed letters and petitions, and engaged in conversations about dignity, justice and care for those most at risk in society.
The Cathedral grounds became a place of shared prayer and hospitality, with food served, music and poetry offered, board games played, and hourly prayers held through the night. While many families and children took part in the early evening, others stayed until dawn, keeping watch together in quiet prayerfulness.
On Monday morning, breakfast TV beamed images of the vigil to screens across the country and ran interviews with Bishop Anashuya and others.
The vigil concluded with morning prayers sending those present out to continue to work and pray for God's justice and peace in their daily lives.
While the response from the government was muted. The vigil succeeded in growing momentum for the church’s commitment to welcome, care and dignity.
More information about the vigil and its wider context can be found in RNZ’s coverage:
Move-on orders: Protesters hold overnight vigil in Wellington cathedral.
