Reacting to news that David Seymour’s End of Life Choice Bill has been drawn from the Ballot today, the New Zealand Catholic Bioethics Centre argues it will undermine the life choices for many should it become law. “We have grave concerns about the unintended consequences of the proposed legislation”, warns Director of The Nathaniel Centre Read more
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops congratulate Father Bernard Espiritu SVD on his re-appointment as National Director of MissioNZ by the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, Rome. Father Bernard Espiritu has been the New Zealand National Director for the Pontifical Mission Societies since 2012. His ministry has been across several continents, most recently in North Read more
Representative church leaders have met with the Prime Minister and Government ministers to ask for more action in the areas of immigration, housing and social investment. Their views are influenced by the experience of their church congregations and church based social agencies in most New Zealand communities. The church leaders that met with the Prime Read more
Archbishop Thomas White, who has died aged 85, had a long and distinguished career in the Vatican diplomatic corps and served in Africa, Asia, the Americas, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. In 1988 White was appointed to New Zealand, with responsibility for the vast Oceania territory, involving practically all the island states of the Read more
Eight religious leaders from all the major Christian denominations, including Presbyterian, Methodist and Catholic, have written a letter to The Press calling for Anglicans to be “left to make decisions as to the future of the cathedral”. “The role of the wider community (including other Christian denominations) is to respect their decision (whatever it might Read more
The archbishop of Wellington Cardinal John Dew has joined with the leaders of other churches in New Zealand lamenting the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Accord on climate change. “The decision of President Trump to withdraw from the Paris Agreement shows no concern for the rest of the world, nor for life Read more
Hundreds packed Wellington’s Sacred Heart Cathedral on Sunday to witness what could be described as a second Reformation. The crowd was witnessing New Zealand’s formal commitment to healing the divisions of the Reformation: the 500 year-long separation of Lutherans and Catholics. The atmosphere was joyful, positive and affirming as Lutheran Bishop Mark Whitfield and Cardinal Read more
A man who helped build modern Northland, the construction king, visionary and philanthropist Jack Guy, has died. His legacy reflects a devout religious side as well as a deep empathy for people, and his love of Northland. Guy was founding trustee and benefactor of the Catholic Homes Trust which built the Marian Heights Lifestyle Village. Read more
Marian College began site-sharing with Catholic Cathedral College in 2012 when damage caused by the 2011 earthquakes made its North Parade site uninhabitable. Then-board chair Gerard Duignan said the schools would co-locate for up to four years, but Marian College principal Marylou Davidson said on Wednesday there were no plans to move until a new Catholic bishop was appointed. Read more
Parliament will debate legalising voluntary euthanasia after Act Party leader David Seymour’s private member’s bill was drawn from the ballot on Thursday. The controversial bill represents the best chance for voluntary euthanasia to be legalised in New Zealand – although the issue is deeply polarising and many MPs including Prime Minister Bill English are firmly Read more