On Wednesday Pope Francis was warning that to ignore the poor is to despise God and that the Lord’s mercy for us is tightly connected to our own mercy for others. His warning came in the same week that New Zealand was featured in one of United Kingdom’s national newspapers in a story about the New Zealand Read more
Ten students of Pacific Regional Seminary of St Peter Chanel were ordained deacon by Soane Cardinal Mafi of Tonga on Sunday 8th May in at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Suva, Fiji. The deacons come from six different Pacific Island nations. Three were ordained for the Archdiocese of Samoa-Apia. Two are members of the Congregation of Read more
A recent study shows New Zealanders rank Pope Francis fifth, equal alongside the Dalai Lama among the world’s most admired men. The study, performed by Internet-based market research firm YouGov from the United Kingdom, ranked the world’s 20 “most admired” men and women separately. The most admired man for New Zealand respondents was David Attenborough, Read more
Cardinal John Dew, the Archbishop of Wellington, celebrated Mass on Tuesday May 10 to launch a Wellington Archdiocese initiative, Benefit Impact. Benefit Impact assists and advocates for those in the Wellington region on a benefit. St Joseph’s Parish in Upper Hutt will welcoming beneficiaries to the event being hosted by the parish from 10-13 May. Benefit Impact Read more
In a crackdown to stamp out unsafe and, at times, inhumane labour practices, all foreign fishing vessels must now be reflagged with the New Zealand flag. This legislation is the first of its kind in the world. It makes New Zealand a world leader in addressing this global problem said the national director of the Read more
A New Zealand guard is one of the suspects in the murder of Reza Barati, a refugee detained in the Manus Island Detention Centre. The New Zealander is employed by Wilson Security – part of the The Wilson Group of companies that includes Wilson Parking and First Security. Two local guards have already been found guilty of the murder. Read more
New Zealand born, The Right Reverend John Osmers, retired Anglican Bishop of Eastern Zambia, was one of three pioneers in the fight for justice in South Africa who was honoured by the Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba. Osmers was born in Christchurch. He was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of merit Read more
Catholic internet evangelist Michael Voris, has revealed that he was actively involved in homosexuality “over a prolonged period of time.” Voris has been critical of Synod Fathers, including Cardinal John Dew of Wellington, who have called for a more pastoral approach in the area of human sexuality. Voris is the founder of Church Militant and Read more
The cause of Fr Antoine Garin SM was launched on 14 April at a Mass at St. Michael’s Church, Remuera, Auckland. The launch, sponsored by an Auckland lay group, acknowledges Fr Garin’s founding of the parishes of Howick and Panmure. A good number of people were at the launch, including members of every branch of Read more
There is a particularly good chance Pope Francis will visit Indonesia next year. However, the Vatican has not released any official confirmation. The Indonesian bishops want Francis to come for Asian Youth Day. The 7th Asian Youth Day is taking place in Yogyakarta, a city on the island of Java, from July 30 to Aug. Read more