Home » History » New Zealand History » Missionary Man - Page 2

Missionary Man - Page 2

© Philippa Jane Ballantine

Jean Baptiste François Pompallier

Pompallier was born in France, and received the education of the middle class. Ordained as a twenty four year old in Lyons, he served there for seven years. Rome picked him as the first vicar apostolic of Western Oceania, and made titular Bishop in 1836.

He set out in that same year with priests and brother for New Zealand, and made it his base. Learning Maori quickly, he soon had stations at Hokianga, Kororareka, Whangaroa, Kaipara, Tauranga, Akaroa, Matamata, Opotiki, Maketu , Auckland, Wellington, Otaki, Rotorua, Rangiaowhia and Whakatane. Pompallier was even at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, and it is thanks to him that New Zealanders are granted the rights to spiritual freedom. He was the one responsible for the 4th article of the Treaty that gives us that.

But by 1846 there was a split between Pompallier and the Marist brothers. When he visited Rome they divided New Zealand into two dioceses; he got Auckland, Wellington was given to the Marists. While in Europe Pompallier raised funds for the mission, and when he returned his Catholic population had nearly doubled. He set up schools and bought in more priests and lay people to teach. But there were problems, many Maori had drifted away, and their missions could never pay back money Pompallier had borrowed for them. Despite mortgaging land, the debt kept growing, and Pompallier was getting too sick to cope with it all. He resigned his position.

It was a terrible end to a career that had earned him much respect among the Maori. He did not denigrate their customs, and unlike other missionaries did not insist they dress as Europeans. His instructions to his priests sound practical "God does not require European dress from those who want to serve him - He wants our hearts and that is all ... It is better to go to Heaven wearing native dress than to go to Hell in European clothing."

But still even today he is a sometimes contentious figure- but not to those of his faith. He died in 1871 in France. And though he was not to be remembered as a great administrator, he was remembered for his genuine piety, and a desire to help others. Even today after all the years since his death Maori in the Hokianga hold him in great regard. And campaigned to bring his body back to the land where he worked so hard. His bones were exhumed, and will be interned at Hokianga on the 164th anniversary of his first Mass in New Zealand.

The copyright of the article Missionary Man - Page 2 in New Zealand History is owned by . Permission to republish Missionary Man - Page 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.