A public memorial service to honour the memory of the late Sister Paula Brettkelly will be held in Wellington next Friday evening. Brettkelly, a Catholic nun who skirted around her church's condemnation of homosexuality and prohibition against condom use, became a tireless worker for HIV awareness, education and support, and for human rights. She became well known and highly respected throughout the country, but particularly in Wellington, for her work with gay men and HIV organisations. She died last Sunday after a long fight with cancer, and a Requiem Mass was held for her in Wanganui last week. The 5.30pm Friday service, open to the public and provisionally titled 'A Celebration for Sister Paula,' will be held at St Joseph's Church which is adjacent to the Basin Reserve end of the Mt Victoria Tunnel. More details are expected after the organisers meet on Monday evening and will be posted in GayNZ.com's National Events Diary as soon as they come to hand.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 6th September 2008 - 6:59pm