Family Life International’s Story
Family Life International NZ’s story begun in April 1992, when our Founding Director, Dame Colleen Bayer, DSG, attended a pro-life, pro-family conference in Ottawa, Canada. There she met Father Paul Marx, OSB, PhD, the Founder, and then-President, of Human Life International. Saint John Paul II once told Father Paul Marx “you are doing the most important work on earth.” Saint John Paul II also called Father Marx an “Apostle of Life.”
Colleen was so greatly inspired by the apostolic nature of Father Marx’s defense of life, faith, and family, that she established Family Life International in New Zealand in September 1992, in the same spirit of Father Marx’s calling.
Family Life International NZ’s work
Since 1992, Family Life International NZ has sought to bring hope. We do this through educating the public about all the life issues from conception to natural death, in the context of Catholic morality; and through providing practical help and support to those in their greatest hour of need. We believe in being a friend to those who are experiencing an unexpected pregnancy, the elderly who may be afraid, and the disabled whose lives at times can be devalued.
Our Saint John Paul II Centre for Life in Auckland is a place where anyone can pop in for advice, information or just a friendly chat.
In 2017, we launched the Mobile Life Centre, allowing the FLI team to reach out and assist people with practical help, support and education, throughout New Zealand. The Mobile Life Centre is an important part of our Gianna’s Choice Pregnancy Options and Support outreach for abortion-vulnerable women.
Family Life Catholic Gifts offers a variety of gifts, sacramentals, books and pro-life resources. All proceeds support the life-saving work of Family Life International.
The team, led by Dame Colleen Bayer, DSG (Director) and supported by Michelle Kaufman (Communications Director), Clare McClean (Gianna’s Choice Co-ordinator) and Father Linus Clovis (Spiritual Director) work together to provide a variety of pro-life, faith and family resources and services, educational programmes and events which support the mission to build a culture of life and love.
Download brochure about the life-saving work of Family Life International NZ.
Our Mission
To build a culture of life and love by promoting and defending the dignity of human life from conception to natural death, and by promoting marriage between one man and one woman, and the natural family through prayer, education, and service.
We carry out our mission by:
- Addressing all life issues with fidelity to the social and moral teaching of the Catholic Church including abortion, contraception, chastity, marriage, and family, with love for all God’s people regardless of their beliefs.
- Providing practical help, support and friendship to the abortion vulnerable and wounded, their families, as well as those who may find themselves targets of euthanasia-type practices.
- Providing and producing up-to-date resources and educational programmes.
- Holding prayer vigils and other initiatives.
Our Vision
Supporting Family Life International NZ
If you would like to become a supporter of life, faith and family in New Zealand please click here to find out how you can donate to the important work of Family Life International NZ.
Photo taken on baby’s baptism day.