Students from John Paul College were surprised and delighted to win the annual inter-school Catholic Cultural Competition, the Chanel Shield, by one point. The team of 15 students competed in a variety of speeches, Bible reading, drama and debating, at Aquinas College, Tauranga, last month. The competition concluded with a quiz based on the gospel Read more
New Zealand
What are schools teaching about sex and sexuality?
Monday, September 11th, 2017
St Patrick’s College Wellington was one of four schools Stuff journalist Rachael Thomas asked recently how they teach sex and sexuality. The Rector of St Patrick’s, Neal Swindells, told her the Catholic perspective still plays a huge part. However, he believes that creating a sense of guilt was ” the worst thing the Catholic church did in Read more
New translation of Te Paipera Tapu more accessible
Monday, September 11th, 2017
Two years ago the Bible Society began a new translation of the Te Paipera Tapu It is hoped the new translation will serve the next generation and be more accessible to young Māori second language speakers. To date, the Gospel of Luke, two Epistles, Jonah, Genesis and Ruth have been completed in modern Te Reo Read more
Finance promised to restore Heritage-listed Churches
Monday, September 11th, 2017A National Government would invest an additional $30 million over the next four years into the Regional Culture & Heritage Fund to support quake strengthening and development of cultural facilities such as museums, art galleries and theatres.” The criteria for the fund will also be expanded so it can be accessed by heritage-listed places of Read more
English and Ardern agree National MP O’Connor got it wrong
Monday, September 11th, 2017Labour leader Jacinda Ardern says Simon O’Connor’s description of her as encouraging suicide is wrong. And National’s leader Bill English agrees. Euthanasia and suicide are different issues. O’Connor posted the comments on World Suicide Prevention Day, hours after Jacinda Ardern made a teary-eyed speech at Parliament, where 606 pairs of shoes – each representing a Read more
Decision on Christchurch Cathedral will prompt donations
Monday, September 11th, 2017The decision to restore the Christ Church Cathedral will kick-start donations to bridge the $14 million funding gap, a heritage campaigner says. The Anglican’s governing body, the Synod, voted on Saturday to restore the Christ Church Cathedral, with regeneration minister Nicky Wagner saying work could start before Christmas. Continue reading
Is NZ as friendly as we like to think it is? A question for Social Justice week
Thursday, September 7th, 2017
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops are inviting people to act on the challenge issued by Pope Francis this coming week – Social Justice week: “Weave bonds of belonging in our local community.” New Zealanders pride themselves on being friendly, but not everyone experiences a sense of community or connection. The 2016 Quality of Life survey reveals Read more
Abortion – Down’s syndrome advocacy group condemn pledge to decriminalise
Thursday, September 7th, 2017
A Down’s syndrome advocacy group has condemned Jacinda Ardern’s pledge to decriminalise abortion, saying it will allow abortion for disability till up to 40 weeks. Ardern has responded by saying abortions up to 40 weeks would not be made legal under Labour. Despite this, Saving Downs created a social media post using Labour’s campaign slogan Read more
I know some of these “Dreamers”
Thursday, September 7th, 2017
A New Zealand-born priest working in Brownsville, on the border between Texas and Mexico says, “I know some of these dreamers who are going to be phased out” because President Trump has rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Father Tony O’Connor relates the story of one the Dreamers he knows. She is Mexican Read more
Summary of Responses to the Wellington Archdiocesan Synod
Thursday, September 7th, 2017In December 2016 Cardinal John Dew convoked a Synod of the Archdiocese of Wellington for the weekend of 15‒17 September this year. In May and June, everyone in the Archdiocese was invited to participate in determining the Synod agenda. The input from this participation phase has now been analysed. As a result of the input, Read more