In what is becoming a familiar occurrence, the demolition of church-owned buildings is being opposed by people concerned at the loss of a “well-loved landmark” in their community. The demolition of two residential buildings in Parnell, Auckland, owned by the Anglican church has been described as “sinful”. And in Dunedin, an eleventh-hour effort is being Read more
A survey commissioned by Euthanasia-Free NZ and conducted by Curia Market Research (CMR), indicates the gap in public opinion between those who support and oppose the End of Life Choice Bill was narrowing. The survey results are based on 1048 responses. When questioned about specific aspects of euthanasia the poll found: 73 per cent were opposed Read more
A New Zealand woman has become just the second person to join an order of nuns who maintain a vow of silence and live as hermits in west Cork. Sr Anne Marie, formerly known as Hannah Loeman, professed her vows before Tridentine priest, Fr Thomas Le Gal and her fellow nun, Mother Irene. “I arrived here Read more
A radical shake-up of the Catholic church in Wairarapa could see fewer church buildings, fewer priests, and a shift in the traditional HQ from Masterton. In a letter to parishes in February, the Archbishop of Wellington Cardinal John Dew directed them to review their churches and presbyteries in response to a “critical situation” with the Read more
The New Zealand Catholic Medical Association (NZCMA) was established this year with the support of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference. It will have its inaugural meeting at St Michael’s School Hall in Remuera, Auckland on May 25. Mass will be celebrated at midday in St Michael’s church by Auckland Bishop Patrick Dunn. The aim Read more
Pua Magasiva has been honoured by his old school, St Patrick’s College Kilbirnie, at a First XV rugby match. The well-known New Zealand actor was found dead in Wellington on Saturday. The St Pat’s team wore black armbands and laid a jersey in front of the haka as a mark of respect before kickoff at the Read more
The president of the NZ Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Patrick Dunn, has told the New Zealand Herald that the Motu Proprio on the reporting of sexual abuse cases will be studied to make sure that the recommendations it contains are fully implemented. On 9 May Pope Francis issued the Motu Proprio making it mandatory for priests and Read more
A liquid accelerant was mostly likely used to start a fire that damaged a historic Mt Eden church hall beyond repair, an investigation has concluded. A report by Fire and Emergency NZ, released to the Herald on Sunday under the Official Information Act, has classified the fire as “incendiary”. “The cause of this fire is Read more
A survey of schools has exposed a yawning gap in home internet access for school students in rich and poor New Zealand families. The survey found that at one in six of the country’s poorest schools, less than a quarter of students had access to internet at home. Read more
Across the country, five major groups like the one in Hastings have sprung up in recent years for people wanting to build and customise their caskets. They’re called coffin clubs, and members have a range of motivations, from thumbing a nose at death to warding off loneliness to cutting funeral costs. Read more