German bishops have postponed a crucial vote on establishing a Synodal Council following a request from the Vatican. The council was intended to be a mixed body of laity and bishops governing the Church in Germany. It was scheduled for discussion during a February 19–22 plenary assembly in Augsburg. Matthias Kopp, spokesperson for the German Read more
Over 150 Catholic parish leaders convened at St Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, confronting the harsh reality of dwindling worshippers in the city and the urgent need to reimagine the diocese’s approach. The Archdiocese of Baltimore presented a bold initiative named “Seek the City to Come.” It aims to reimagine parish structures amidst declining Read more
It’s time to ‘rethink’ our pro-life strategy says Cardinal Jose Advincula. We need to re-evaluate the strategy in a different way, using new approaches that refrain from further judgment and condemnation. During the Mass for this year’s “Walk for Life” on Saturday, Advincula – who is the head of Manila’s Catholic Church – spoke of Read more
Pope Francis has appointed Reverend Father Reynaldo Bunyi Getalado (right) as the Cook Islands’ new coadjutor bishop. As a coadjutor bishop, Getalado takes over responsibility for the diocese when the current Cook Islands bishop Paul Donoghue SM retires. Getalado, who is from the Philippines, has worked in Papua New Guinea, New Zealand in the Waitaruke Read more
There is no other way into the future other than Synodality. The comment was made by Fr Dennis Nacorda, one of the New Zealand representatives at the Synod on Synodality held in Rome in October 2023. Unable to attend the first Zoom feedback meeting about the Synod, Nacorda last Thursday joined Mr Manuel Beazley the Read more
Coming first in the world for his religious education examination wasn’t a result Auckland St Peter’s College student Christian Domilies expected. Domilies’s Cambridge examination results were the highest among the 1.5 million students from 150 countries and over 6000 schools. He has been given a badge and certificate to commemorate his achievement. “It feels great Read more
On 24 January we learned of six decrees presented by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints and promulgated by Pope Francis. I count three Italians, one Spaniard, one Pole and one Canadian. No doubt every single one was a person of great faith. Indeed, one was martyred “in hatred of the faith.” What strikes Read more
Scottish Catholic priest Father Matthew Despard alleges he’s been subjected to bullying by church hierarchy after publishing a book accusing the Catholic Church in Scotland of being controlled by a “powerful gay mafia”. Despite being suspended from parish duties in 2013 for his claims, Father Despard remains resolute, stating he won’t apologise for speaking the Read more
Giving feedback on last October’s Synod on Synodality in Rome, the Archbishop of Wellington Paul Martin is highlighting the importance of two key points he took away from the global meeting. These involve listening combined with an understanding that the Church is not some form of majority democracy. Martin offered the comments during the first Read more
In the midst of the country’s escalating cost-of-living crisis, the Salvation Army’s State of the Nation 2024 report spotlights the growing socio-economic challenges confronting New Zealanders. The report, Ngā Tukunga Iho – The Things We Inherit, offers an annual assessment of the country’s social progress – this year especially – children and youth housing crime Read more