Denzil Meuli
Encyclopedia
Denzil Meuli (born 1926) is a Roman Catholic priest of the Diocese of Auckland
and a leading traditionalist Catholic
in New Zealand
.
. He studied for the Catholic priesthood at Holy Cross College, Mosgiel
and later went to Rome
to complete his studies and where he was awarded a S.T.D., U.J.D., and Ph.L.
. He was ordained as a Priest of the Diocese of Auckland
in Rome in December 1956 after completing his doctorate. In 1969 Meuli was appointed editor of the Zealandia
, the Auckland Catholic weekly newspaper, by Archbishop Liston
, the newspaper's founder and owner, in controversial circumstances following the sacking of two previous editors (Father Ernest Simmons and Father Patrick Murray). Nicholas Reid calls Meuli a "very conservative" appointee. In 1977, Meuli obtained an LL.B. from the University of Auckland
and was admitted as a Barrister
and Solicitor
of the High Court of New Zealand
. He is also qualified as a Rotal Advocate For his doctorate which he studied for in Rome he wrote a thesis on the status and defences of the unborn child in common law. Since the 1980s Meuli has had the care of the Mount St. Mary "non-geographic" parish in Titirangi
where the "traditional Latin liturgy" is followed. Meuli has taken a public lead on some moral issues. Although outside the Auckland Catholic mainstream, Meuli and his ministry are in good standing within the Catholic Diocese of Auckland
.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Auckland
The Latin Rite Catholic Diocese of Auckland is one of the two original dioceses in New Zealand. Although formally a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Wellington, both were erected on 20 June 1848...
and a leading traditionalist Catholic
Traditionalist Catholic
Traditionalist Catholics are Roman Catholics who believe that there should be a restoration of many or all of the liturgical forms, public and private devotions and presentations of Catholic teachings which prevailed in the Catholic Church before the Second Vatican Council...
in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
Biography
Meuli spent his childhood in Auckland and was educated, as a foundation pupil, at St Peter's College, AucklandSt Peter's College, Auckland
St Peter's College is a Catholic college for year 7 to 13 boys . The school, located in Auckland, is one of the largest Catholic schools in New Zealand and is an integrated school under an integration agreement entered into by the Catholic Bishop of Auckland and the Government of New Zealand in...
. He studied for the Catholic priesthood at Holy Cross College, Mosgiel
Holy Cross College (New Zealand)
Holy Cross College or Holy Cross Seminary is the national Roman Catholic seminary of New Zealand for the training of priests. It was first opened in 1900 in Mosgiel and was relocated to Auckland in 1997.-Establishment:...
and later went to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
to complete his studies and where he was awarded a S.T.D., U.J.D., and Ph.L.
Licentiate of Sacred Theology
Licentiate of Sacred Theology is the title of the second cycle of studies of a Faculty of Theology offered by a pontifical universities or ecclesiastical faculties of sacred theology. An Ecclesiastical Faculty offers three cycles of study: Baccalaureate or fundamentals, Licentiate or specialized,...
. He was ordained as a Priest of the Diocese of Auckland
Roman Catholic Diocese of Auckland
The Latin Rite Catholic Diocese of Auckland is one of the two original dioceses in New Zealand. Although formally a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Wellington, both were erected on 20 June 1848...
in Rome in December 1956 after completing his doctorate. In 1969 Meuli was appointed editor of the Zealandia
Zealandia
SS Zealandia, nicknamed Z was a historically significant Australian cargo and passenger ship. It served as a troopship in both World War I and World War II. Zealandia transported the ill-fated Australian 8th Division. Its crew were the last Allied personnel to see HMAS Sydney, which was lost with...
, the Auckland Catholic weekly newspaper, by Archbishop Liston
James Michael Liston
James Michael Liston, CMG was the Seventh Catholic Bishop of Auckland.-Early life:James Michael Liston was born in Dunedin on 9 June 1881, one of a family of five children of James Liston, a hotel-keeper, and his wife, Mary . His parents were both born in Ireland. He was educated at Kavanagh...
, the newspaper's founder and owner, in controversial circumstances following the sacking of two previous editors (Father Ernest Simmons and Father Patrick Murray). Nicholas Reid calls Meuli a "very conservative" appointee. In 1977, Meuli obtained an LL.B. from the University of Auckland
University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
and was admitted as a Barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
and Solicitor
Solicitor
Solicitors are lawyers who traditionally deal with any legal matter including conducting proceedings in courts. In the United Kingdom, a few Australian states and the Republic of Ireland, the legal profession is split between solicitors and barristers , and a lawyer will usually only hold one title...
of the High Court of New Zealand
High Court of New Zealand
The High Court of New Zealand is a superior court of New Zealand. It was established in 1841 and known as the Supreme Court of New Zealand until 1980....
. He is also qualified as a Rotal Advocate For his doctorate which he studied for in Rome he wrote a thesis on the status and defences of the unborn child in common law. Since the 1980s Meuli has had the care of the Mount St. Mary "non-geographic" parish in Titirangi
Titirangi
Titirangi is a suburb in the Waitakere Ward of the city of Auckland in northern New Zealand. It is an affluent, residential suburb located 13 kilometres to the southwest of the Auckland city centre, at the southern end of the Waitakere Ranges...
where the "traditional Latin liturgy" is followed. Meuli has taken a public lead on some moral issues. Although outside the Auckland Catholic mainstream, Meuli and his ministry are in good standing within the Catholic Diocese of Auckland
Roman Catholic Diocese of Auckland
The Latin Rite Catholic Diocese of Auckland is one of the two original dioceses in New Zealand. Although formally a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Wellington, both were erected on 20 June 1848...
.