The paediatrician whose research project found false information about transgender children’s treatment puts them “at risk” is now at risk herself. Dr Hilary Cass says she’s been told not to travel on public transport because of fears for her safety. Detractors – including an MP – have been spreading “vile disinformation” around her report for Read more
The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin says it feels like the Lord has abandoned Ireland’s Catholic Church. This “confronts us with something new, but something we do not clearly understand. “There are hardly any priests or practising Catholics. “We feel perplexed, even that the Lord has abandoned us. We feel that we have lost our way” Read more
Soaring insurance costs are leading Catholic churches in Otago and Southland to reconsider their options. Between them, the churches in the Catholic Diocese of Dunedin face a $240,000 insurance premium bill this year. It’s a lot of money. During the past 10 years the diocese has had just one significant claim as a result of Read more
Church leaders and climate activists have found fault with international lending agencies, including the World Bank, for funding fossil fuel and coal projects in the Philippines. “We stand in solidarity with the communities which are hit by coal power projects,” said Father Warren Puno, director of the Ministry of Ecology in south-central Luzon. “This is Read more
A law firm clerk accidentally selected the wrong file from a dropdown menu on an online portal, resulting in the irrevocable divorce of the wrong couple. The couple intended to divorce, but we were still arranging financial agreements for their separation when a clerk accidentally selected them for a final divorce order on an online Read more
Pope Francis has delivered a strong message to contemplative religious orders, saying nostalgia won’t save monasteries from closure or shifts in vocations. Addressing superiors and delegates from Discalced Carmelite monasteries in Rome, the pontiff stressed the need for adaptation to modern times. “Defensive strategies are the fruit of a nostalgic return to the past; this Read more
A better world can happen but change for the better will materialise only when people are out in the world, “not lying on the couch” said Pope Francis. The pope was talking to a group of Italian schoolchildren saying that each of them can help make peace grow. The youngsters were all involved in the Read more
It seems having sexual feelings for children isn’t uncommon. A new UNSW Sydney and Jesuit Social Service study found one in five Australian men admitted having sexual feelings towards children and/or have sexually offended against children. That statistic shows the necessity of safeguarding children at early childhood education and care services, and places where children Read more
One of Australia’s newest citizens is the auxiliary bishop of Sydney. He’s a New Zealander, born and bred. But Bishop Richard Umbers has become incrementally Australian over the 33 years he’s been residing in the land across the Tasman. He says he swapped Marmite for Vegemite a long time ago. He won’t say if he’s Read more
New Zealand has now cut its greenhouse gases for three years running. The latest drop is the biggest since climate change efforts began, according to New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory which covers 1990 to 2022. Making the change Several factors are contributing to the reduction in greenhouse gases in our environment. Climate Minister Simon Read more