On Christmas day, as most New Zealand families awoke to celebrate family and presents, as always many hundreds of families packed out our Catholic Churches across the New Zealand. In contrast to these joyous large Catholic gatherings of families at Christmas, a recent Post Opinion piece followed many other articles highlighting the well-publicised allegations of Read more
I’ve just turned 70! Thursday 26th October 2023 to be exact. As if in a state of disbelief, I told everyone of this milestone stopping short in asking for a gift – as someone suggested! I have a broken handled mug by the kitchen landline that holds biro’s, pencils etc that reads: – life begins Read more
Last week, Pope Francis issued a short Apostolic Letter revising the scope of a Vatican Institute. It seemed hardly newsworthy. The Pontifical Institute of Theology was founded in 1718 for the theological formation of priests, and later for bringing theologians together to discuss theological topics. More recently it has held an occasional conference, mainly with Read more
It has taken just over a month for this new coalition Government to render Māori an almost nullity. The last time that occurred was in 1877 when the then Chief Justice James Prendergast proclaimed the Treaty was “worthless” because it had been signed “between a civilised nation and a group of savages” who were incapable Read more
Civilians, including elderly residents and patients seeking refuge, were compelled to evacuate a Myanmar cathedral as junta soldiers forcibly seized control on November 27. Bishop Celso Ba Shwe of Loikaw and clergy members, alongside a congregation of worshippers, found themselves displaced from Christ the King Cathedral in Loikaw due to the intrusion. “It’s sorrowful to Read more
The world’s vegetation has a remarkable ability to absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air and store it as biomass. In doing so, plants slow down climate change since the CO₂ they take up does not contribute to global warming. But what will happen under more advanced climate change? How will vegetation respond to projected Read more
Austrian theologian Paul Zulehner (pictured) is unconcerned with Pope Francis’ recent critique of the German Catholic Church’s Synodal Committee. Zulehner views the Pope’s reply to four critics of the German reform efforts as a “gesture of respect and courtesy”. Prof Zulehner noted this in a November 22 post on his private blog. Recently a letter Read more
Petra Bagust, television and radio personality and media chaplain, is confident in her faith in God. Moreover, she’s willing to connect with people and invite them into open and honest discussions. That is important to her, she says. So is the programme she hosts each week: Sunday Sanctuary – a small place of calm in Read more
Some German Synodal Path suggestions for change won’t be happening, says the Vatican. Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, has written an official note to the German Bishops’ Conference secretary general, Beate Gilles to clarify the Vatican’s stance on the German Synodal Path reform proposals. Non-negotiable issues Some issues are “non-negotiable”, Parolin told Gilles, Read more
In the wake of recent events in Christchurch involving the fringe group “Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer” and their alleged exorcisms, a critical examination of the Church’s stance on pre-Vatican II Latin Mass rites is both timely and necessary. This group’s actions have them being accused of operating as a law unto themselves, disrespecting Read more