Vatican decrees preventing priests from the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer from exercising ministry in the Christchurch Catholic diocese remain in force. A notice on the Diocese website says a petition to have the Sons’ removal of priestly faculties overturned was denied. However a canon lawyer representing the Sons says, after lodging an appeal Read more
Teaching Catholic missionaries at a Catholic university where they can be educated in mission theology and pastoral outreach is important, says Pope Francis. Francis says it is essential that the Pontifical Urban University keeps its centuries-old focus on preparing missionaries who come from and go out to the world and its varied cultures. The university’s Read more
In a historic moment for New Zealand’s Māori, a 27-year-old and the youngest child of Kīngi Tūheitia, Ngā Wai hono I te pō, has been anointed as the new Māori Queen and leader of the Kīngitanga movement. Ngā Wai hono i te pō becomes the eighth Māori monarch, continuing a direct lineage from the first Read more
Australian Catholic University (ACU) has launched a research project focused on exploring lay governance models within the Catholic Church, particularly in the context of a synodal Church. The initiative, led by ACU theologians and a prominent governance expert, aims to examine the evolving role of lay leadership in Church governance. The research will focus on Read more
New Zealand’s End of Life Choice Act is deficient and the assisted dying law needs to be changed says Dr John Kleinsman from the Nathaniel Centre for Bioethics. His comments come as the Ministry of Health is conducting a mandated review of the End of Life Choice Act within three years of its implementation to Read more
Hamilton bishop Richard Laurenson expressed his sadness over the passing of King Tuheitia. On behalf of the Catholic bishops of Aotearoa, New Zealand, Laurenson extended his sympathies to the king’s family and assured the family of the bishops’ prayers for the repose of the King’s soul. Kingi Tuheitia became Māori King 18 years ago, and Read more
Almost half of US Orthodox churches remained open during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to only 12 percent of all religious congregations. Most American churches navigated the patchwork of COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings by periodically closing their doors and broadcasting services online instead. But for almost half of U.S. Orthodox Christians, whose liturgy involves processions, Read more
I was struck by the gospel reading on Sunday (Aug. 25) in which John, speaking about Jesus’ followers, wrote that “many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.” The image made me sad, because it seemed to reflect what is going on in the Catholic Church and Read more
The Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, has urged for increased Catholic aid to support prisoners of war and civilians freed from Russian captivity, following reports of “horror stories” from those released. The archbishop wants more international support in areas where the Ukrainian government struggles to provide adequate resources. Archbishop Kulbokas highlighted three critical Read more
Young Catholic women have started wearing veils at Mass – just as their grandmothers did before the Vatican II reforms of the 1960s. Those who attend the Traditional Latin Mass are most likely to have adopted the practice. What’s driving the change? Madeleine Kearns, associate editor at The Free Press and a Catholic, says there Read more