A powerful step toward building a more inclusive Church community was taken on July 1, as the Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North hosted a training day to promote the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme (HDSS). The event, held at the Diocesan Centre, was part of a broader diocesan commitment to radical welcome, sparked by insights from the Synod on Synodality.
The HDSS is a globally recognised initiative that allows individuals with non-visible disabilities to discreetly signal that they may need support, assistance, or simply understanding. Participants may wear a sunflower-printed lanyard, wristband or pin in designated “Sunflower-friendly” spaces, where trained staff and community members can respond with compassion and awareness.
This marks the first time a Catholic diocese in Aotearoa New Zealand has adopted the Sunflower Scheme, and it reflects a deliberate response to synodal discernment across the diocese. In over 230 submissions representing more than 500 people, a consistent spiritual message emerged: a deep desire for greater inclusivity, fellowship, and healing in the Church. Participants voiced that while liturgy fulfilled the Sunday obligation, it often fell short of meeting spiritual and communal needs. A strong theme echoed throughout: the Church must become more welcoming, relevant, and responsive to all.
Leading this diocesan transformation is David Loving-Molloy, recently appointed as the Diocese’s Leader and Advisor of Inclusion, a role made possible through partnership with the St Dominic’s Trust. David also continues to serve as chaplain to the Deaf community, bringing firsthand understanding of the barriers many face to full participation in faith life. Nick Wilson, the Diocesan Pastoral Services Director, MC’d the training day.
“The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme is a concrete way for our Church to live out Catholic social teaching,” Nick explained at the beginning of the training. “It’s not enough to say we welcome everyone — we have a moral and spiritual obligation to remove barriers and make that welcome real.”
The training day was open to anyone affected by disability, those working in advocacy or ministry, and anyone passionate about inclusion. Attendees explored how parishes, schools, and communities can embrace the scheme through practical steps: displaying signage, conducting inclusion audits, forming parish-based disability advisory forums, and undergoing awareness training.
Susan Wright, Hidden Disability Sunflower Scheme Trainer based in Australia, joined in over Zoom to go through some training videos, discuss the history of the scheme and answer questions.
Hidden disabilities — which may include autism spectrum disorder, chronic pain, anxiety, dementia, or sensory impairments — are often misunderstood or overlooked. In New Zealand and Australia, one in five people live with a disability, and an estimated 80 to 85 percent of these are non-visible. The Sunflower symbol allows individuals to indicate their needs without having to explain or justify their condition.
“What we’re doing,” said Nick, “is not just supporting those who wear the Sunflower — we’re fostering a complete culture shift. Radical welcome doesn’t stop at disability; it extends to anyone who feels excluded: the mentally unwell, the formerly incarcerated, the Rainbow community, and more. Everyone matters — or no one does.”
The scheme has its origins in Gatwick Airport, England, where it was introduced in 2016. It is now embraced by thousands of organisations globally and guided by the principle, “Nothing about us without us” — affirming that people living with disabilities are central to both the design and implementation of the initiative.
As the Diocese rolls out the scheme, each parish will form a disability forum to advise local leadership on how best to implement inclusive practices. Accessibility audits based on templates from the Elevate Christian Disability Trust will help communities identify and address gaps in accessibility, both physical and social.
The Diocese’s adoption of the Sunflower Scheme isn’t about tokenism. Rather, it is a genuine commitment to transformation: one rooted in the Gospel, inspired by the Spirit, and grounded in Catholic Social Teaching.
“Inclusion isn’t an optional extra,” David concluded. “It’s the shape love takes when it seeks to see others as God sees them — with dignity, delight, and an open-armed welcome.”
The Diocese invites all parishioners, leaders, and communities to participate in this ongoing journey of learning and listening, so that every person — regardless of ability or circumstance — may find a home in the Body of Christ.