A packed congregation, on the feast of the Assumption, joined most of the country’s bishops at St Mary of the Angels, Wellington to rededicate New Zealand to Mary. Bishop Jean Baptiste Pompallier and the early Marist fathers and brothers first dedicated the mission to New Zealand before they left France. Then, after arriving, in 1938 Read more
The Timaru community is mourning five young locals killed in a car crash last Saturday. Those who died were just 15 and 16 years old. Two were former pupils of Timaru’s Catholic secondary school, Roncalli College. At Thursday morning’s Mass (originally intended to mark the feast of the Assumption), Father Mark Walls said the deaths Read more
The Pontifical Commission for the Causes of Saints in Rome was recently, again, in touch seeking clarification of some medical points in the final submission that was made in support of Suzanne Aubert’s Cause. The Sisters continue to trust God that the Vatican will soon recognise the alleged healing miracle granted a Christchurch woman through Read more
A new statutory body has been established ahead of euthanasia becoming legal in New Zealand in November. The Support and Consultation for End of Life in New Zealand group (SCENZ) is charged with maintaining and providing a list of medical practitioners and psychiatrists as part of the service when required. The 11-person group will “support Read more
Church leaders are preaching the good word – this time urging people to get their COVID-19 vaccinations. Their campaign aims to fight against “echo chambers” of misinformation on social media amongst their communities. “We know that 80 percent of Pasifika communities have some sort of affiliation with churches, church communities,” says John Kleinsman, director of Read more
Gore’s co-ed Catholic secondary has adjusted its uniform policy to make room for cultural tattoos. The first St Peter’s College pupil to take advantage of the change is 16-year-old Dixie-Leigh Burr (pictured), who has just received her first tā moko. The Year 11 pupil says she had been considering getting a tā moko for some Read more
A neo-Nazi group called Action Zealandia is attempting to recruit more members across Aotearoa. Critic Te Arohi’s undercover investigation into Action Zealandia, the largest white supremacist group in Aotearoa, revealed information including the organisation’s recent activities, internal membership structure, links to other neo-Nazi groups, and strategic plans for the future. The group has been active Read more
Small town New Zealand is suffering. The scarcity of mental health facilities, huge increases in house prices and a lack of infrastructure spending are taking the shine off living in small town New Zealand, the Salvation Army is reporting. The Army’s fourth State of Our Communities Report focuses on Invercargill, Carterton and Tokoroa; three very Read more
A new programme aimed at helping young people who are excluded and disadvantaged was launched in Invercargill last week. The Thriving Rangatahi project is the culmination of a six-year investment underwritten by the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation and a partnership with Ngai Tahu. At least $500,000 of the Vodafone money will be invested in local Read more
The Law Commission is reviewing New Zealand’s surrogacy laws. Instigated by former Justice Minister Andrew Little, the Commission is recommending a new pathway to parenthood that doesn’t require adoption for parents of a surrogate-born child. At last week’s launch of Kōpū Whāngai: He Arotake – Review of Surrogacy, the Commission said it is seeking feedback Read more