Ongoing sex abuse rumors about disgraced ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick were never properly investigated, a Vatican report into his conduct says. Barely challenged, the US clergyman (pictured) ascended the Catholic hierarchy to become a cardinal – a prince of the Church. He used personal contacts to help him along the way. When challenged, he protested his Read more
Assisted dying will not be on offer to Gore Health patients. The health centre’s chief executive officer Karl Metzler has announced it will not be carrying out any end of life procedures. Metzler says Gore Health’s decision was made by its prescribing physicians. Not one of them support the bill. “None of them got into Read more
Concerns about New Zealand’s post-Covid inequalities are piling up. There is disquiet that the monetary response to Covid-19 is fuelling inequality by driving up share-markets and house prices. Recent Stat’s NZ data shows high-spending households are benefiting from zero inflation on the mix of products and services they buy. In contrast, price rises are still Read more
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Conference has come out in support of Pope Francis, who has widely quoted recently as supporting same-sex civil unions. Civil unions for same-sex couples have been available in Aotearoa New Zealand since 26 April 2005. Bishop Patrick Dunn, Bishop of Auckland and President of the NZ Catholic Bishops’ Conference has Read more
This week the South Dunedin St Vincent de Paul Shop put no limit on what people can take. “No one has gone over the top, they only took what they need”, St Vincent de Paul area president, Lynlea Forbes told CathNews. “The generosity of people abounds”, she said. Forbes told CathNews that because it is Read more
A man living in the same Vatican residence as Pope Francis has returned a COVID-positive test. The Vatican says those with whom the symptomless man had direct contact are in quarantine, as is he. The man is the first to test COVID-positive at the Santa Marta residence – which has about 130 rooms and suites Read more
A $220 million increase in funds for free school lunches looks set to divide communities, with some schools joining the scheme while nearby schools miss out. About 640 schools have been invited to join the scheme next year. At present 221 schools are benefiting from the scheme. Sixty are in the pilot regions of the Read more
Pope Francis’ repeated non-use of a face mask is again in focus as Four Swiss Guards test positive for COVID-19. The four are in isolation while their contacts are being traced, the Vatican said Monday. The Swiss Guards provide ceremonial guard duty during papal Masses, man the Vatican gates and help protect the 83-year-old Pope Read more
Concern is mounting that people voting in the euthanasia referendum may not realise what they are voting for. In an interview on Magic Talk on Monday National Party Leader, Judith Collins, seemed to blur the line between managing pain and a deliberate choice for a person to end their life. Asked how she reconciled her Read more
Aotearoa New Zealand’s Catholic bishops are seeking an artist to create artwork commemorating Bishop Jean-Baptiste Pompallier’s 1838 dedication of the country to Mary the Mother of Jesus. The bishops’ National Liturgy Office has begun advertising for an artist who will create a work incorporating Mary for a special commemoration next August 15, the Feast Day Read more