Advocates on behalf of people abused in church institutions say the churches are complicating the process of waiving confidentiality agreements RNZ asked the president of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, Bishop Patrick Dunn, whether bishops had shown a “lack of moral authority by not publicly repudiating the clauses and whether they had stepped up Read more
Catholics believe that embryos and fetuses are entitled to a place in the human family. They are, therefore, to be treated with the same respect as persons whatever their stage of development. This was was the issue highlighted in an oral submission made on to the abortion legislation select committee of the New Zealand parliament. Read more
AIG is the principal sponsor of the All Blacks. Climate change activists are putting pressure on the All Blacks to cancel the sponsorship deal with the insurance company. This followed a tip-off from an AIG staff member which revealed that AIG is insuring the on-ground works at the Adani Carmichael mine site, in northern Queensland, Read more
In a submission to a Select Committee, Family First national director Bob McCoskrie stated proposed changes to abortion legislation would make late-term abortions more accessible and therefore more would occur. “Currently it’s only available for exceptional circumstances, danger to the life and health of the mother, or the child,” said McCoskrie “But in this bill Read more
National Catholic Monthly, The Marist Messenger, received three awards at the annual Australasian Catholic Press Association annual awards dinner held in Bathurst last week. Father Kevin Head, editor of the Marist Messenger said he was delighted with the awards. He was particularly pleased that the efforts of his small staff, working with few resources, had Read more
A Dutch euthanasia expert says he’s seen assisted dying in his country go from being seen as a last resort to a “project” to be managed. “I used to be a supporter of [euthanasia] legislation. But now, with twelve years of experience, I take a different view,” says Dr Theo A. Boer. From 2005 to Read more
Sir Colin Humphreys suggests that modern science is providing evidence for God. On Wednesday 18 September, he will be presenting a University of Canterbury Connect public lecture to a capacity audience on the subject Science and Religion: are they compatible? Humphries is is a fellow of both the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering. Read more
The Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea has turned housing developer in an effort to provide homes for migrant workers. In exchange, the local community will get voluntary help such as cleaning hospitals. The Saint John XXIII housing project is in the town of Kokopo, capital of East New Britain province. Although Kokopo’s population is Read more
Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins take a lighthearted look at papal authority in a “buddy” movie. Critics say their performance is a “masterclass” in acting. The Two Popes is a Netflix movie written by novelist and screenwriter Anthony McCarten. Born and raised in New Plymouth, McCarten attended Francis Douglas Memorial College and went on to Read more
Father John O’Neill died in Wellington on Wednesday, August 28. He made a significant contribution to education in New Zealand not just in Catholic Schools, but nationally. O’Neill was a teacher at St Patrick’s College in Wellington from 1953 until 1981. In 1960 he took a break from teaching to attend Cambridge University, returning to Read more