Fr Denis O’Hagan SM died on Wednesday, 14 August. His passing came after a short illness. CathNews rarely publishes obituaries; however, Denis, CathNews’ first editor, was ‘known’ to readers for nine years. Mission at home As a Marist and priest, Denis O’Hagan primarily considered himself as an ‘at home’ missionary. Although he spent some time Read more
Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller has rejected allegations of financial impropriety during his tenure as prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), calling the claims a “defamation strategy” with no basis in fact. Speaking in an interview on EWTN, the cardinal asserted that there is “no proof” of any wrongdoing and Read more
Receiving the Eucharist is what most young Catholics expect. Even Paul Gannucci (pictured with his parents). A myriad of health conditions resulting in his being tube-fed since he was three months old have prevented him from consuming the Eucharist. Nonetheless, Gannucci has always wanted to be able to receive the Body of Christ. And so Read more
One option facing Christchurch city is an ‘Anglican-free’ future that no longer clings to its Anglican past. Christ Church Cathedral was a symbol of Christchurch. “What will the new symbol be?” asks Professor Michael Grimshaw, a Canterbury University sociologist. Grimshaw says that since the 2011 earthquakes destroyed much of the central city, its heart has Read more
A severe vocations crisis is on full display in Dublin: its seminary has just one student. Fr Séamus McEntee, the vocations director for the Archdiocese of Dublin, confirmed the worrying number. “In September, we will have another man coming in… I wish there were more” he said. McEntee also mentioned ongoing conversations with other men Read more
While numerous abuse allegations about a priest were upheld, New Zealand civil law meant it was almost a decade before his defrocking. The man faced complaints from more than one woman before being defrocked (removed from the clerical state). The former priest – who cannot be named for legal reasons – was defrocked last month. Read more
Bishop of Palmerston North John Adams has not ruled out accepting the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer’s priests into his diocese, reports the Christchurch Press. However Adams is being cautious, saying he will seek advice if the Sons’ ask to move to his diocese. He will also be considering recommendations from a Vatican investigation. Read more
The leaders of the Sons of The Most Holy Redeemer are taking legal action over their expulsion from the Christchurch Catholic diocese, reports Sinead Gill in The Press. Last month a Vatican investigation into abuse and unauthorised exorcism allegations recommended Christchurch’s Catholic bishop Michael Gielen ban the Order from performing Mass in the diocese. The Read more
A Wellington Catholic primary school is facing potential closure because of stagnant population growth in the capital. Parents of students at Cardinal McKeefry Catholic Primary School in Wilton have been told the Wellington Catholic Archdiocese had spoken to the Ministry of Education to consider the school’s future. Kelly Ross, vicar for education and the director Read more
The creative force behind the Paris Olympics opening ceremony has rebuffed criticism that his innovative production crossed boundaries, saying that it generated a “cloud of love and tolerance”. Thomas Jolly, the 42-year-old mastermind of the ceremony, addressed the controversy surrounding one of the most debated scenes which featured a nearly nude performer. He firmly denied Read more