News Release

Latter-day Saint and Catholic Leaders Meet

Elder S. Gifford Nielsen and His Eminence John Dew discuss ways to strengthen youth, families and communities

Elder S. Gifford Nielsen of the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with His Eminence John Dew, Archbishop of Wellington, last week in Wellington, New Zealand.

Elder Nielsen was accompanied by Professor Neville Rochow SC (University of Notre Dame, Sydney); Professor Fred E. Woods (Brigham Young University, Utah, USA); the Latter-day Saints’ Pacific Area Legal Counsel, Arthur Edgson; as well as LDS public affairs representatives, Tania Torea and Richard Hunter. Also in attendance in the meeting was Sr Catherine Jones, smsm, Chair of the Catholic Bishops Committee for Interfaith Relations.

 

The leaders discussed a range of subjects including protecting the freedom of conscience of all people, and helping young people to strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ through serving others.

After the meeting Elder Nielsen said, “We are very grateful for our friends in the Catholic Church. It was a delight for us to meet with His Eminence John Dew and Sr Catherine. They received us with warmth and kindness.”

“Catholics and Latter-day Saints have some doctrinal differences but also have much in common in terms of our love for Jesus Christ and our desires and efforts to help the poor and needy; to strengthen marriages and families; and to safeguard freedom of conscience and freedom of religion for all.”

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