Pope Francis named 21 new cardinals on Sunday and in doing so sent a message to some US bishops. The only US bishop named is Robert W McElroy (68), bishop of San Diego, California, who is considered one of Francis’s ideological allies. Known often to spar with more conservative US bishops, McElroy is outspoken about Read more
Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, is warning of a looming disastrous global food crisis. The Italian version of the paper devoted most of its 24 May front page to the matter saying the crisis will be particularly catastrophic in the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. The paper says the food shortage is a direct Read more
Students at Catholic schools across New Zealand are being offered protection from a cancer-causing sexually transmitted infection, says Kevin Shore from the Catholic Education Office. Clarifying a report on 1News, Shore told CathNews that Catholic schools are not part of the 44 Christian religious-affiliated schools that are denying access to the Gardasil vaccine. The vaccine Read more
Over the weekend, as Australia elected a new prime minister and Beauden Barrett landed a drop goal to secure the Blues a win against the Brumbies, a clip from an Australian podcast went viral on TikTok. On the latest episode of Jordan Simi’s Grouse & A Few Reds podcast, released on May 20, the topic Read more
There came a time for Jesus the Christ to conclude his earthly ministry and return to his place with his Abba/Father. I would invite you to reflect on two paintings of this moment of Ascension. In these paintings, rather than focusing on the departure of Jesus, focus on the remaining community. The first is titled, Read more
Australia’s new prime minister is a self-described cultural Catholic with an agenda to make social reforms and take action on climate change. Anthony Albanese, centre-left leader of the Labor Party, claimed election victory on 21 May defeating the conservative Liberal-National coalition that has governed for nine years. Mr Albanese always described himself as the only Read more
New Zealand canon lawyer Msgr Brendan Daly (pictured) says the Church needs more lay people in governance roles. Its episcopal appointment process could also be altered so it is more open – it could save a lot of unnecessary distress, he says. The clerical sexual abuse scandal shows the necessity for these changes, he wrote Read more
The cardinal tasked by Pope Francis with overseeing the Church’s global synod says he is not worried about the German reform process stressing that the synod cannot ignore difficult questions. Cardinal Mario Grech said that the criticisms of Germany are part and parcel of what it means to be a synodal Church which offers a Read more
The new Christchurch Catholic bishop, Michael Gielen, is quick to praise the work done by the previous Christchurch bishop and apostolic administrator, Paul Martin. Gielen says he is looking forward to continuing Martin’s work to consolidate the city’s parishes. “The work he has done in paving the way for the consolidation and strengthening of our Read more
A new St Vincent de Paul Centre opened in Levin on Sunday 15 May and immediately received civic approval. Speaking at the opening Levin, Mayor Mr Bernie Wanden, (pictured) described the Centre as “a wonderful venture for our community.” Wanden observed that Levin probably has the lowest rating for household income in New Zealand. He Read more