John Lewis Adams

John Lewis Adams (born 18 November 1963) is a New Zealand bishop serving as the third bishop of Palmerston North since his appointment by Pope Francis on 22 June 2023. His consecration took place on 30 September 2023.

Early and personal life Adams was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. His mother trained for five years to be a "an SMSM sister" before leaving and meeting her husband, who was a very proficient snooker player and who had represented New Zealand at the sport. Tertiary Chaplain: 2008 – 2010 Council of Priests: 2009 – 2023 Clergy Trust Fund: 2011 – 2021 Episcopal Vicar for Education: 2013 – 2023 College of Consultors: 2014 – 2023 Chair, Council of Priests: 2015 – 2023 Chair, Education Council: 2015 – 2023

Adams was a priest, assistant priest and administrator in both Christchurch and Greymouth.

2003 – 2004: St Teresa's Parish, Riccarton (assistant priest) 2004 – 2005: St Patrick's Parish, Greymouth (assistant priest) 2005 – 2007: St Patrick's Parish, Greymouth (administrator) 2008 – 2010: Christ the King Parish, Burnside (assistant priest) 2011 – 2018: St Joseph's Parish, Papanui (parish priest) 2019 – 2023: St Peter Chanel Parish, Rangiora (parish priest)

Episcopacy On 22 June 2023, Adams was appointed as the third bishop of Palmerston North by Pope Francis

Following an interview in July 2024, a reporter wrote that Bishop Adams believed “there ha been a culture change going through the church in the wake of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care’s final report.” The Royal Commission report, released the previous week, had contained details of abuse at institutions across New Zealand.

Adams has stated that the church is ever ancient and ever new. "We tend to be rather good at one side of that. We are either on about the ancient, or on about the new. I would like, during my time here, to see a way in which we might live out both those things. There is a deep Catholic instinct to suggest both/and, rather than either/or. And I think the Church does itself or its people no favours when we choose one or the other."

Parish renewal Adams has expressed his desire to "go deeply into the issue of parish renewal. What are our parishes like? Are they vibrant places? Are they places where the faith is lived in a deep and ardent way? Are they schools of the spiritual life? Is there a strong desire to evangelise and take - you know, we are custodians of the greatest love story ever told? Are we taking it out to the people, and are they hearing it?" "I think they are important issues and I hope to foster a great sense of parish renewal, if we can do that, during my time here."