The New Zealand Bishops were informed of Pope Francis’ decision to appoint Cardinal Dew to the Congregation for Divine Worship during their Conference meetings last week. The bishops welcomed this appointment and the opportunity this provides for Cardinal Dew to work collegially with fellow bishops in the important area of liturgy and worship. Cardinal Dew Read more
New Zealand
Bishops delighted Cardinal Dew appointed to Congregation for Divine Worship
Friday, November 4th, 2016Prayer cards for parishioners to use to pray for prisoners in Year of Mercy
Friday, November 4th, 2016In this Year of Mercy Pope Francis has declared there is to be a Jubilee for Prisoners this weekend. To honour this Jubilee for Prisoners and to encourage ongoing prayer for those in prison, a revised Adopt a Cell Card is being produced to be distributed at the Masses on 6th November. The cards are Read more
Fidel Castro – Cuba’s revolutionary leader – August 13 1926 to November 25 2016
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2016Fidel Castro, Cuba’s revolutionary leader, died last Friday aged 90. He governed Cuba as a one-party Soviet-style state for 47 years. He was Prime Minister from 1959 until 1976 and President from 1966 until 2008. Pope Francis’s condolence message to Raul Castro expressed his “sentiments of grief”. He promised to pray for Fidel. Like Castro, Read more
Book about the family to be launched in Wellington
Tuesday, November 1st, 2016
A new book aimed at strengthening the family to become communities of life and love is to be launched in Wellington in November. Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive has been written and compiled by Patricia Alfonso-Sison. It is based on the preparatory catechism of the same title from the 8th World Meeting of Families, Read more
NZ Bishops ask that ashes of deceased be treated with respect
Tuesday, November 1st, 2016
Last week the Bishops of New Zealand issued a statement asking Catholics to treat the ashes of their loved ones with respect when they have chosen to have their bodies cremated. This follows on the recent statement the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith about cremation and the scattering of ashes. “The loss of Read more
Cardinal Dew appointed to Congregation for Divine Worship
Tuesday, November 1st, 2016
New Zealand will now have a voice when the liturgy is discussed in Rome. Cardinal John Dew, the Archbishop of Wellington, has been appointed to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments. The congregation deals with liturgical questions and the celebration of the sacraments. Dew is one of 27 new appointees named by the Read more
Trailer for City Impact pastor’s film about gangs gets 850,000 views
Tuesday, November 1st, 2016A City Impact Church pastor who has made his first film about gang violence in New Zealand says it couldn’t have been made without “God’s favour”. The trailer for Broken, a tale of vengeance which claims to be “based on a true story”, debuted on Friday afternoon and quickly went viral, racking up 850,000 views Read more
Kiwi Catholics prayed for at the Vatican… add your name to the list
Tuesday, November 1st, 2016This month Cardinal John Dew, President of Bible Society New Zealand (BSNZ), will be praying for New Zealanders who have requested prayer at St Peter’s in the Vatican, Rome. And there’s still time for him to pray for you! Cardinal Dew will be attending the closing Mass for the Jubilee Year of Mercy which will Read more
Right to Life say Green Party hasn’t responded any of their 8 letters
Tuesday, November 1st, 2016Green party Members of Parliament have declined to respond to any of the eight letters sent to them by Right to life. The correspondence was seeking information on important life issues and clarification of the Party’s policies on parental notification, euthanasia, the decriminalisation of abortion, the “Inside Out” sexuality education programme and the Party’s proposal Read more
Vatican rules on ash spreading based on values similar to Māori ones
Friday, October 28th, 2016
The Vatican’s recently announced a set of guidelines for cremation, ash spreading, and burial. Spokeswoman Simone Olsen says the Catholic Church in New Zealand will follow guidelines from the Vatican. The practice of ash spreading is particularly pertinent in the New Zealand at this time because a number of iwi have been expressing their concern about Read more