A church that listens to and engages with the universe, with te ao Māori, with women, young people and LGBTQI is the dream of a group of laypeople who are planning an online synod in August. The group, which is part of Be the Change Aotearoa New Zealand, is inspired by the concept of Te Read more
Health officials have serious concerns about low vaccination rates for measles, mumps and rubella among children as border openings usher new illnesses, including seasonal flu. Childhood vaccinations have been steadily declining but have dropped more sharply during the pandemic. Last year 250,000 measles vaccines – more than half of the doses ordered – had to Read more
Work has begun to remove Christ Church Cathedral’s crossing roof, marking a big milestone in the stabilisation phase of Christ Chiurch cathedral’s $154 million restoration project. Project director Keith Paterson said the top-down approach meant the cathedral’s stone gable arches could be dismantled, dividing it into four independently supported sections. “This piece of open heart Read more
A report has been released about a rural roadshow embarked on by the Dunedin Catholic diocese last July. The authors say they found communities hopeful and willing to work to keep the faith alive but also discovered a Church saddened by amalgamations and the pandemic. Visiting several small towns in the diocese’s Otago-Southland catchment, the Read more
Mena Antonio, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand’s new Chief Executive’s impressive background ideally fits her for leading the Catholic social justice agency. She has 20-plus years working on and with boards and executive teams, combining leadership in strategy, risk management, legal and financial compliance and people-management here and in the UK. Of Samoan and Tokelauan descent, Read more
A man and his dog are about to set off on the adventure of a lifetime, making plenty of memories and hopefully raising plenty of money for mental health too. Gary Anderson, from Kaponga, will travel across the North Island by motorbike with his 11-year-old blue merle border collie Kairo in the sidecar seat of Read more
Psychologists are struggling as a grim picture emerges of New Zealanders’ mental health, two years on from the country’s first lockdown. Clinical psychologist Dr Victoria Thompson told 1News that demand for mental health help is sky-high, saying, “people are wanting more help than ever”. “We are doing our best but we can’t keep up with Read more
New Zealand’s Catholic bishops are delighted Covid restrictions are easing. The Government announced on Wednesday a 200-person limit for those with a vaccine pass at a religious gathering such as Mass, says a statement from the bishop’s conference. “It is really welcome that these restrictions are being eased in the middle of Lent and with Read more
New Zealand’s Catholic bishops are inviting all Catholics in New Zealand to join with them and others across the globe to pray with Pope Francis as he consecrates Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. New Zealand’s bishops are asking Catholics to offer special prayers for everyone caught in the Ukraine war by Read more
Caritas is standing behind the government’s announcement to allow the reunification of families for Ukrainians living in New Zealand. “We welcome this announcement in that it provides a shelter from the storms of war. It’s a way out for vulnerable Ukrainians leaving a war zone and seeking to reunite with family members. “This expanded category Read more