By Alison Horwood
Brother Richard Dunleavy will become one of the highest-ranking New Zealanders in the Catholic Church when he takes up a new appointment in Rome.
The Auckland-based former teacher will move to Italy in December as the secretary-general of the Marist Brothers worldwide.
While his new role will be one of
administration, Brother Richard is no stranger to travelling the world, and its trouble spots, to serve the church.
Between 1985 and 1993 he worked out of Rome as a member of the Marist Brothers' governing council. His role included visiting many of the order's 5000 members in 80 countries, including Pakistan, Ruwanda, Zaire and Algeria.
During the past 30 years, 11 Marist Brothers have been killed in foreign countries while serving the Church.
"I have certainly seen my share of sticky moments," Brother Richard said.
"Not where I was frightened for my life, but in some foreign countries you are dependent on the whims of that country, where the rules of the law are not so clear."
The Marist Brothers are involved mostly in setting up youthrelated projects, such as schools.
"Young people are the hope of the future and education is the pathway of everyone's future," Brother Richard said.
He began his career teaching in the 1950s at Sacred Heart and St Paul's in Auckland.
He became the first director of the Marcellin Hall Pastoral Team in Hillsborough in the 1970s and later became head of the order in New Zealand and the Pacific.
During this period, he also chaired the Marist Brothers' General Chapter in Rome, and was appointed to the council of the superior-general there.
In 1993, he became pastoral assistant to the Bishop of Auckland, and later took up duties as secretary for the New Zealand and Pacific Province of the order.
