Leaders of several churches have been appalled by the treatment of Andrew Thorburn, who was forced to resign as CEO of AFL club Essendon when sermons by the church of which he is chairman became public. The sermons likened abortion to concentration camps and included claims that “practising homosexuality is a sin” – views which Read more
New Zealand is one of the world’s worst places to bring up a child, a Guardian newspaper report says. Poverty and overcrowding are leading to life-changing health outcomes. Diseases like rheumatic fever are rife in some communities. Yet – the annual Ministry of Social Development Child Poverty Report found child poverty in New Zealand is Read more
The NZ Synod response cannot turn to custard. Issues only go away when they are dealt with. The New Zealand Catholic Bishop’s Conference National Synthesis sent to Rome on 16th August 2022 completes New Zealand’s stage in the synodal process. Responses from each Diocese were categorized under 6 themes: Inclusion, Gathering, Leadership, Education & Formation, Read more
The president of the German bishops’ conference Bishop Georg Bätzing sat down with Cardinal Kurt Koch on October 4 to clear the air with the ‘Christian Unity’ president. Bätzing had demanded an apology from the Vatican’s Koch (pictured) over comments that brought up Germany’s Nazi past. He lamented what he called Koch’s “untenable statements” about the Read more
Each month Pope Francis prays for a special intention. This month, he wants Catholics to listen to the Holy Spirit so the Church gets closer to God and becomes a place of solidarity, fraternity and welcome. “Let us pray that the Church, ever faithful to the Gospel and courageous in preaching it, may live in Read more
The newly appointed CEO of AFL club Essendon said he was forced to step down from the position because of his role as a church chairman, and believes his “personal Christian faith is not tolerated or permitted in the public square”. Former NAB CEO Andrew Thorburn (pictured) said, “I was being required to compromise beyond Read more
During a rally in 2019, Giorgia Meloni, leader of the Brothers of Italy party, quoted G K Chesterton. The English writer, theologian and heavily-mustachioed sage seemed an unlikely choice for the climax of an impassioned oration by a tiny, fiery Italian blonde. But maybe not. Chesterton was known as the “Apostle of common sense”. “Fires will Read more
Flashes of Insight looks at the sexual abuse crisis from the perspective of restorative justice; restoring what, to whom, in what manner and with what effect. This 11 minute Flashes of Insight conversation asks whether the experience for Church ministers is an opportunity for the theology of reconciliation to grow into change. It considers restorative Read more
Sixty percent of the churches in a Catholic diocese in the Netherlands will close within the next five years. Dwindling numbers of churchgoers, volunteers and income are being being blamed. Bishop Jan Hendricks unveiled plans to around 90 parish administrators in the Haarlem-Amsterdam diocese last month. The 450-year old diocese dates back to 1559. It Read more
East Timor’s Catholics reacted with shock as well as expressions of support for revered Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo following allegations he sexually abused boys decades ago in the Southeast Asian nation. The United Nations and advocacy groups for survivors of clergy sexual abuse are urging Pope Francis to conduct a full inquiry into who knew Read more