New Zealand

New translation of Te Paipera Tapu in the pipeline Comments 0

Te Paipera Tapu

The first edition of Te Paipera Tapu, published in 1868, has just been digitised. This digitised version will be one of the many tools used to help produce a brand new translation, in more contemporary language for today’s Te Reo Māori speakers. “Translation of any significance takes time, and anecdotal evidence suggests that contemporary Māori usage Read more

The Church may consider publishing names of abusers Comments 0

publishing names

The Catholic bishop of Christchurch, Paul Martin, has released a file on child abuser Cornelius O’Brien to one of his victims, a Christchurch man in his 50s. Martin was asked by RNZ’s Phil Pennington if he thought the church should start publishing the names of clergy whom it had found guilty of abusing children even Read more

Analysis and Comment

Separating facts about clergy abuse from fiction Comments 0

clergy abuse

The recent release of the Pennsylvania grand jury report on clergy sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church during the past 70 years has unleashed another round of headline news and sadly, much misinformation about this critically important problem. Few topics elicit more emotion and rage from the public than sexual abuse committed by Catholic Read more

Road map out of clericalism Comments 0

clericalism

I cannot help wondering if the current implosion of ecclesiastical credibility over clergy sex abuse has the potential to create a new moment of grace, one that breaks down outmoded governance models and creates new ones better suited for our times. We may already have a road map — thanks to liberation theologian Leonardo Boff. Read more

Celibacy and priestly ministry Comments 0

celibacy

There has been a clamor among some priests to abolish mandatory celibacy and make it optional. For them, celibacy is a burden that is very difficult to live with. They contend that if it was made optional, more men will be attracted to the priesthood, especially at a time when there is a shortage of Read more

Why you should see Pope Francis movie Comments 0

movie

It’s true. Wim Wenders’ film, “Pope Francis: A Man of His Word,” is long, and sometimes a badly done movie. In the end, you feel uneasy at such a hagiography and the personality cult it exudes, to which the Catholic Church lends itself so easily, even if one guesses that this pope is fundamentally opposed Read more

Asia Pacific

Backlash for Pacific people are ‘leeches’ comment Comments 0

du Plessis-Allan

A New Zealand Journalist Heather du Plessis-Allan has come under fire for saying Pacific people are “leeches” on New Zealand. During a Wellington broadcast of Newstalk ZB, the host discussed Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s decision to visit Nauru. Du Plessis Read more

15 Marist Brothers Old Boys given Excellence Service Awards Comments 0

awards

Fifteen former Marist Brothers students were honoured with Excellence Service Awards at the final event of the celebration of the 130 years of the Marist Brothers contribution to education in Samoa last Saturday evening. “The boys they (the Marist Brothers) Read more

Neo-liberalism toxic, and a tragedy for women – Dame Anne Salmond Comments 0

neo-liberalism

If women have to act like men in order to be leaders, that’s the “ultimate defeat”, according to Dame Anne Salmond. The writer and anthropologist was the keynote speaker at the Women of Influence Forum 2018 held in Auckland on Tuesday. She said working environments based on short-term contracts, often poorly paid, where the risks and costs Read more

  • Oddly

  • Bishop Moth jumps out of plane at 15,000ft

    60-year-old Bishop Richard Moth of Arundel and Brighton had fulfilled his pledge to go skydiving and had completed the task successfully and unharmed. Bishop Moth jumped from a plane at 15,000 feet to raise money to take ailing pilgrims to Lourdes. Continue reading