Several warm stories of Bishop Denis Browne have emerged since he died on 1 September. One was retold when a photo was shared of a girl at St Peter’s School who was chosen to try on the new bishop’s mitre. The photo was taken by Waikato Times senior writer Mary Anne Gill who revealed that her Read more
Jason Rigon, a Filipino migrant and President of Club Filipino Tauranga Inc., is making significant strides in helping newcomers acclimatise to their new home in New Zealand. Volunteering makes the Tauranga migrant feel at home. Rigon (photographed with his family), who moved to Tauranga with his wife Joy and their three sons in 2017, has Read more
Pope Francis told gatherings of clergy, religious sisters, and catechists in Indonesia and PNG that proclaiming the Gospel does not mean “imposing one’s own faith or opposing it to others, proselytising”. He said proclaiming the Gospel should “always be done with great respect and fraternal affection for all”. Fraternal living means “accepting one another and Read more
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
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