Newly-appointed JP Saju Cherian is the founder of the Kerala Catholic community in Palmerston North. It has 350 members. “There are two Kerala priests at St Mary’s Church on Ruahine St who support our people with their cultural and spiritual needs.” The two priests were employed after the Kerala Catholic organisation approached Bishop Charles. “People Read more
New Zealand
Mobile prayer room gets closer to reality
Thursday, April 12th, 2018The Anglican diocese of Wellington has procured a second-hand ambulance, and they have a bold vision to turn it into a mobile prayer room for the whole diocese. “Soon, we’ll launch a fundraising campaign to get it kitted out and to cover costs, and we’ll ask you for your ideas on how to make it Read more
Is there racism in New Zealand? Undeniably
Thursday, April 12th, 2018Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy have waded into the discussions around comments by Kiwi director Taika Waititi that New Zealand is “racist as f***”. Continue reading
Just one student left at Hato Petera College
Monday, April 9th, 2018
Hato Petera College in Auckland now has just one student on its roll. The roll has declined from 210 in 1995 and the Education Review Office had expressed concerns about the school’s performance. Earlier this year, Lex Hamill was appointed as a commissioner to take over the governance of the college. Hamill said there is Read more
It was a great privilege to work with Bill English – Cardinal Dew
Monday, April 9th, 2018
Cardinal John Dew is one of a number of New Zealanders representing a broad spectrum of society who have praised former Prime Minister Bill English since he announced his retirement from politics earlier this year. He recently told an Australian Catholic journalist that it had been a great privilege to work with English. In an interview with Read more
Royal Commission leaves door slightly open for including Churches
Monday, April 9th, 2018
The draft terms of reference for a Royal Commision have restricted an inquiry into historical abuse to state institutions, but the Catholic and Anglican churches have both said they would like to be included in it. On 26 March the prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, said she stood by her belief that the inquiry should look Read more
Gloriavale document swears members to secrecy
Monday, April 9th, 2018The controversial community of Gloriavale is under scrutiny again after a document that seeks to legally bind members to secrecy was revealed. The document allegedly included clauses that stopped members from speaking about the community to outsiders and others that prohibited any legal action, TVNZ reported. Continue reading
Parishioners unfazed by safety warnings at eathquake-prone church
Monday, April 9th, 2018Parishioners at a Catholic Church in Blenheim are being advised to “make their own judgment” when entering the earthquake-prone church. The building, which was first issued with a safety notice six years ago, has a “risk of failure” in the event of a moderate to severe earthquake. Continue reading
A conversation with Dunedin’s bishop-elect Michael Dooley
Monday, April 9th, 2018Bruce Munro talks to Fr Michael Dooley about church abuse, celibate priests, Jesus and the future of Christianity. Continue reading
Pornography more extreme, deviant and violent – Ministry of Health
Thursday, April 5th, 2018
New Zealand’s Ministry of Health wants more research into pornography because it has become “more extreme, deviant and violent over the last two decades.” The ministry was responding to a request from the Government and Administration Select Committee for a written submission on a petition it is considering which was presented in June 2017 by Family First’s Read more