Catholic Bishop Jean Baptiste Pompallier’s question to Governor William Hobson – and his response – concerning the Crown’s care of Māori should be enshrined as the Treaty of Waitangi’s fourth article. So theologian Alistair Reese told Parliament’s Petitions Committee last week. The written text of the Treaty – Te Tiriti o Waitangi – includes a Read more
Success in Wellington was celebrated on Friday at the 2024 Wellington Address at Pipitea Marae. Brian McGuinness, the Wellington Company, Erskine Chapel Restoration, Doug Hauraki and Adrian Orr were acknowledged. The event acknowledged the exceptional contributions of four of the city’s most influential business leaders who have helped Wellington’s business community prosper. Lifelong dedication to Read more
The Dunedin diocese has blocked a proposal to transform the historic Holy Cross Mosgiel Seminary into a natural health and sustainability centre. The move ends efforts by a local charity to revitalise the 150-year-old complex. The plan, developed by Taste Nature Social Enterprise and chaired by Clinton Chambers, sought to use the site for organic Read more
Miss Kingi – Dame Georgina, that is – has been at St Joseph Māori Girls’ College just about forever. Several generations … as a pupil, as a teacher, as principal. She took over as principal in 1987 when the Sisters of Our Lady of the Mission stepped away from running the school. Always known as Read more
Viennese theologian Paul Zulehner (pictured) is convinced that even though churches are increasingly less relevant in today’s world, they still have the ability to help society with today’s problems. Carrying on in the same old way won’t achieve this, he points out. But churches can be “sparring partners for those seeking meaning” or “midwives of Read more
The Vatican announced on October that there is currently no basis for ordaining women deacons. The announcement came from Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, head of the Vatican’s Doctrine Office. It came after a year-long study by a specially appointed unnamed synod group. “We have concluded that there is still no room for a positive decision Read more
Taking part in the Synod on Synodality is much like participating in a hui says Manuel Beazley, currently in Rome as a New Zealand member of the Synod. Beazley is also Vicar for Maori in the Auckland Diocese. “As Māori, synodality is nothing new to us. In a sense it’s part of our DNA as Read more
The Anglican Church, Presbyterian Support Southland and the Salvation Army are the only groups to meet a key deadline recommended by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. Even the Government missed the deadline. The Catholic Church says its response is nearing completion and will be made public by the end of the Read more
A Christchurch food bank is back on its feet after a devastating burglary left it empty. The thieves cleared out all the food and caused extensive damage to the pantry next to St Faith’s Church in New Brighton. The move prompted a wave of support from the local community. Destruction left behind The food bank, Read more
The Synod working document is failing to address adequately the needs of people on the margins of society, according to Bishop Erwin Kräutler. Kräutler, a prominent voice for social justice, is disappointed with the Catholic Church’s preparations for the second session of the Synod on Synodality. “The Synod cannot retreat ‘from the evil world’ into Read more