Last week, the Royal Commission into Historical Abuse in State Care and faith-based institutions announced it had signed a memorandum of understanding with New Zealand Police, allowing incidents of abuse to be referred to police for investigation. However, responding to Otago Daily Times questions, an inquiry spokeswoman confirmed the ability to refer alleged abuses to Read more
New Zealand
Decision on school name change to follow after decision from Vatican
Monday, November 4th, 2019Kavanagh College is named after the late Bishop John Kavanagh, who has been criticised for his handling of a predatory priest. Pressure has been growing for a name change following revelations the late bishop sent Dunedin priest Father Magnus Murray to Australia for counselling instead of contacting the police Read more ALSO Read Kavanagh College Read more
Francis Douglas takes great pride in Barrett brothers
Thursday, October 31st, 2019
The Barrett brothers – Beauden, Scott and Jordie – are all alumni of Francis Douglas in New Plymouth and they all starred in the school’s 1st XV. Deputy principal Tim Stuck had the pleasure of coaching all three but was first to admit they had some key elements embedded in their game even before arriving at Read more
NZ Bishops meet well-remembered nuncio during Rome Ad Limina
Thursday, October 31st, 2019
Last week, the New Zealand bishops in Rome for their Ad Limina visit met the fondly remembered former papal nuncio Archbishop Angelo Acerbi. Acerbi’s diplomatic career included being held hostage by guerillas in Colombia and becoming the first nuncio to Hungary after the end of communism. Now 94, Acerbi is retired and lives in the Read more
New Zealand bishops meet Pope Francis
Thursday, October 31st, 2019
The New Zealand Catholic bishops met Pope Francis for an 80-minute private audience in the Vatican on Monday 28 October during their Ad Limina visit to Rome. Pope Francis told the bishops to raise any topic and be free with their comments, said Bishop Stephen Lowe of Hamilton, secretary of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference. Read more
Bill English concerned about rights of conscientious objectors
Thursday, October 31st, 2019Former Prime Minister Bill English has criticised many of the proposed changes at a select committee hearing on Wednesday. He launched into a fierce defence of the right of medical professionals to conscientiously object to carrying out abortions if the changes were made. Read more
Destiny Church charities status reinstated
Thursday, October 31st, 2019Two charities under Destiny Church have been allowed to operate again, including having tax exemptions, after earlier having their charitable status removed. The High Court on Tuesday ordered that both charities – the Destiny International Trust and Te Hāhi o Ngā Mātāmua Holdings – be reinstated their charitable status. They were taken off the Charities Read more
New appointments for the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference
Thursday, October 31st, 2019The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference (NZCBC) has two new staff members – Kate Aduna and David McLoughlin, looking after administration and communications. Newly appointed Administrator, Kate, comes to the organisation after several years volunteering with her local Wellington Catholic primary school, having been at home with her daughter. Previously she held a support role Read more
Marist Asia school for Burmese migrants reopens
Thursday, October 24th, 2019
A Marist secondary school programme in Ranong Thailand with close links to New Zealand has re-opened. The school was one of 10 Burmese migrant learning centres closed as a result of the 24 August arrest and deportation of 32 Burmese teachers by Thai officials. News of their reopening on a part-time basis was confirmed on Read more
Two become one: Te Kupenga – Catholic Leadership Institute
Thursday, October 24th, 2019
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference president Bishop Patrick Dunn has announced the name of a new New Zealand Catholic tertiary institute. On January 1, The Catholic Institute and Good Shepherd College will merge to become Te Kupenga – Catholic Leadership Institute. The name has been chosen by the country’s bishops after careful thought and Read more