A teacher at Our Lady Star of the Sea school in Christchurch who has been a teacher in North Korea says the current situation “saddens” him as he can put a human face to the people. Tim Kearns knows that, if there were a war, the pupils he taught might well bear arms against the Read more
Mr Bill Kilgallon, director of the National Office for Professional Standards of the Catholic Church in New Zealand, has been attending a meeting in Rome of The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. He was one of three people to speak when Pope Francis met with the commission face-to-face for the first time. Together Read more
NZ Catholic won five awards at the Australasian Catholic Press Association (ACPA) awards and the separate Australasian Religious Press Association (ARPA) awards held in Auckland last month. An article by Rowena Orejana featuring the Vatican astronomer’s views on Jesus, Aliens and Faith won a gold award for Best Theological Article from ARPA. Continue reading
There’s no shortage of controversy regarding so-called ritual slaughter, ie, the Kosher and Halal requirements that animals be alive when their throats are cut. Such religious practices have traditionally been exempt from the oversight of civil government Animal welfare activists have embraced the thinly disguised anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim sentiments rising across Western Europe as a Read more
Kiwi Muslim designer Farheen Hajira said her new line of modest fashion, inspired by religion, would have global appeal. “Fashion is not about skin showing, it’s about style. I want to show the world even covered women can have trendy clothes.” Watch Video
A New Zealand-born novelist, filmmaker and playwright Anthony McCartin has written a play examining the unusual situation in which there are two living Popes. In a soon-to-be-made Netflix movie version of the play, Jonathan Pryce, who played the role of the High Sparrow in season 6 of The Game of Thrones, will play the part Read more
MidCentral District Health Board instructed a Palmerston North social worker not to attend a social justice workshop. The forum was run by the Palmerston North Catholic Diocesan Justice, Peace and Development Commission in collaboration with Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand as part of Social Justice Week activities. As part of a general election candidates’ debate, social Read more
Pope Francis recently asked his congregation for a favour. Make an examination of conscience and ask yourself if you pray for your leaders. Not just the ones you like, but all leaders. “And if you find in your examination of conscience that you have not prayed for your leaders, bring it to confession. Because not Read more
In Rotorua, almost $27K has been available for local arts initiatives St Michael’s Catholic School received $2000 in funding in February and has recently completed its project. Continue reading [You need to scroll down]
2017 is shaping up to be a devastating year due to environment-related disasters. From severe monsoon rains in South Asia, to Mexicos record-breaking 8.1 magnitude earthquake, to the recent destruction of Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean, events … Caritas responds to worldwide emergencies. Continue reading