Great reads

The significance of school belonging in protecting mental health

Thursday, April 11th, 2024
mental health

In addressing the critical concern of mental health in adolescents, the role of school belonging has emerged as a focal point of contemporary research. Despite the increasing recognition of its importance, a comprehensive understanding of how school belonging impacts long-term mental wellbeing has remained elusive. New adolescent mental health study Our new study investigating school Read more

Sister Josephine and the boy she taught to box

Thursday, April 11th, 2024
Sister Josephine

Sister Josephine – both a person and a movie about the boy she taught to box – is coming to a screen near us one day soon. Their story is being turned into a short film for the New Zealand Film Commission under the direction of long-serving police officer, film director and author Stef Harris. Read more

A Catholic springtime in France

Monday, April 8th, 2024
Catholic

What is a Catholic, from a contemporary perspective? The stereotype is that he or she is a sort of reactionary simpleton, a bit mean, a bit senile, obsessing over abstruse texts, preferring Mass to sleeping in on Sundays, and insisting on obeying an antiquated sect whose main activity is covering up sexual abuse. This pious Read more

Streaming the Eucharist should be banned

Monday, April 8th, 2024

Streaming the Eucharist online for the world to watch or broadcasting it on television is an abomination, akin to showing video of people eating a meal to starving people. A video experience of the Eucharist might have value if it makes people hunger for the real thing, but as an alternative for showing up to Read more

Famous atheist embraces ‘cultural Christian’ identity

Monday, April 8th, 2024
cultural Christian

Renowned British atheist Richard Dawkins, widely known for his book “The God Delusion,” revealed in a recent interview his self-identification as a “cultural Christian”. Dawkins said he had a preference for Christianity over Islam, although he clarified that he does not believe “a word” of the Christian faith. In conversation with Rachel Johnson on LBC, Read more

Location of Christchurch’s new cathedral uncertain

Monday, April 8th, 2024
Catholic cathedral

Christchurch Diocese General Manager Simon Thompson told CathNews that a decision as to where Christchurch’s new Catholic cathedral will be located is still some way off. Consultation phase complete A wide range of views has been sought to provide the diocese with the means to make a well-supported decision. Some of these came from technical Read more

Can you be a feminist and a Catholic? A theologian argues it’s harder than ever.

Monday, March 25th, 2024
feminist

Women are leaving the Catholic Church at an alarming rate, many citing “irreconcilable differences.” In a world waking up to the reality of sexism and sex abuse at every level of seemingly every institution, the church’s slowness to adapt and engage with feminist demands has weakened its hold, with some women leaving the faith altogether. Read more

“I’ve gotten used to being hated,” says defender of LGBT Catholics James Martin

Monday, March 25th, 2024
LGBT

Inside one of the many skyscrapers in the center of Manhattan, James Martin (pictured) heads to his office at America, the Jesuit magazine where he is an editor. Martin’s workspace is filled with objects that evoke his personal journey as a Jesuit priest who has worked with gang members in Boston as well as refugees Read more

Married priests not the solution to vocations crisis says Vatican cardinal

Monday, March 25th, 2024
Married priests

A Vatican cardinal stated that advocating for married priests is not the solution to addressing declining vocations in Ireland. Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, suggested fostering a true witness to the Faith could reverse the trend. Cardinal You was visiting Knock for the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors. Read more

Escalating violence in Australian schools, action urged

Monday, March 25th, 2024
escalating violence

A recent survey conducted by the Australian Catholic University (ACU) has revealed escalating violence levels against school principals across Australia. The escalation has prompted urgent calls for action. The study encompassing 2,300 respondents unveiled distressing statistics, with nearly half having reported experiencing or witnessing physical violence. Approximately 54% were subjected to threats. According to the Read more