In a historic moment for New Zealand’s Māori, a 27-year-old and the youngest child of Kīngi Tūheitia, Ngā Wai hono I te pō, has been anointed as the new Māori Queen and leader of the Kīngitanga movement. Ngā Wai hono i te pō becomes the eighth Māori monarch, continuing a direct lineage from the first Read more
The Most Reverend Bishop Emeritus Denis Browne, CNZM, passed away on Sunday night after a long illness. He was 86. Denis Browne was a significant figure in the life of the New Zealand Catholic Church and the wider community. He was the bishop of Cook Islands and Niue (1977–1983), the tenth Bishop of Auckland (1983–1994), Read more
Chaplains are an “integral part of Defence Force care” says Defence Minister Judith Collins. “They’re not the ‘nice to have’. They’re very much people who provide enormous support to our troops overseas and even here.” They don’t come free of charge though. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) books show they cost almost $3 million Read more
A synergy of company values and a community-run charity has led to Wellington civil contracting company Mills Albert donating its Wellington rugby Lions and Pride front jersey sponsorship to Bellyful. The company’s principals, who have connections to Sacred Heart Whanganui, St Augustine’s Whanganui, Hato Paora in Feilding and Whanganui Boys College, have chosen to put Read more
All Catholic bishops in New Zealand must resign, says respected Catholic theologian Dr Christopher Longhurst. Longhurst’s comments, reported in the widely read publication La Croix International, are strongly critical of the very people from whom he receives his daily bread. New Zealand’s Catholic bishops employ him to teach at Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College. He Read more
Fr Denis O’Hagan SM died on Wednesday, 14 August. His passing came after a short illness. CathNews rarely publishes obituaries; however, Denis, CathNews’ first editor, was ‘known’ to readers for nine years. Mission at home As a Marist and priest, Denis O’Hagan primarily considered himself as an ‘at home’ missionary. Although he spent some time Read more
One option facing Christchurch city is an ‘Anglican-free’ future that no longer clings to its Anglican past. Christ Church Cathedral was a symbol of Christchurch. “What will the new symbol be?” asks Professor Michael Grimshaw, a Canterbury University sociologist. Grimshaw says that since the 2011 earthquakes destroyed much of the central city, its heart has Read more
Earthquake strengthening of Wellington’s St Gerard’s Church is underway, and its new owners are considering ideas for the iconic building’s use. The church closed in 2021 and was sold in 2023. Owners St Gerard’s Limited say they want to ensure the building is preserved and so remains part of the city’s identity. Although no decisions Read more
A Catholic college principal is standing by his board’s refusal to apologise to the family of a student he excluded for marijuana use despite the Ombudsman ordering him to do so. “Marijuana buying and using is an illegal activity – we hold the view, as many schools do, that this has no place in our Read more
The leaders of the Sons of The Most Holy Redeemer are taking legal action over their expulsion from the Christchurch Catholic diocese, reports Sinead Gill in The Press. Last month a Vatican investigation into abuse and unauthorised exorcism allegations recommended Christchurch’s Catholic bishop Michael Gielen ban the Order from performing Mass in the diocese. The Read more