Dominican Friars – Thanks to these guys!

Chris, Joe and Luke lived in Auckland city centre in the Emily Apartments for nearly 20 years.

They dedicated their lives to the pursuit of peace and justice in the world and in their retirement years, founded Aaiotanga Peace Place as a place of study and dialogue towards these aims. In 2019, they founded the Aaiotanga Peace Place Charitable Trust and gifted use of their space to help build community in the city centre.

Luke has since passed away but Chris and Joe, now 89, are still tireless advocates, championing Te Tiriti o Waitangi, joining in the Palestine peace marches and supporting those in poverty. Every Saturday, they come to Aaiotanga Peace Place to celebrate an informal and fully inclusive Catholic mass. People of all faiths or no faith tradition are welcome to attend and join them for conversation afterwards. 

As Dominican Friars, they are ordained priests in the Catholic church. Dominicans are a specific order established over 800 years ago for men and women, celibate and married, dedicated to community life, academic study, contemplation (meditative prayer) and speaking the truth.