Caritas has welcomed New Zealand’s ratification of the Paris Agreement on climate change, just a day after the Catholic social justice agency’s annual State of the Environment Report for Oceania called on all nations in the region to ratify the agreement. The move by New Zealand decision brings to 14 the number of Oceania nations Read more
New Zealand
Residents threaten to move out if funeral home touted as a “spiritual facility” is built
Friday, October 7th, 2016Residents are threatening to move out if a multi-million dollar funeral home touted as a “spiritual facility” is built in Christchurch’s southwest. Long-standing Christchurch company Lamb and Hayward wants to build a new 1222-square metre “spiritual facility”, or funeral home, on 2 hectares of residential land on the corner of Halswell Junction and Wigram roads. Read more
Caritas report launched at Parliament today – Drought affects 4.7 M in Oceania
Tuesday, October 4th, 2016
Su’a William Sio (Member of Parliament for Mangere) will launch Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand’s report about our close neighbours in Oceania at Parliament today, 4 October. According to the UN at the peak of the regional drought in summer, food and water issues affected more than 4.7 million people The impact of these factors continues Read more
Assisted Suicide – any law change needs an opt out clause
Tuesday, October 4th, 2016
New Zealand’s Human Rights Commission has given the “orange light” to assisted suicide. However, it say the government should proceed with caution and only if strict safeguards are in place. The Commission recommends an opt out clause for medical staff and pharmacists who do not want to take part in the process should assisted suicide Read more
Honorary Doctorates recognise contribution to community
Tuesday, October 4th, 2016
On Saturday 30th September three honorary Doctorates were conferred at Te Wānanga o Raukawa, Ōtaki. They were presented by the World Indigenous Nations University (WINU). For the people of Ōtaki, of particular interest was their own whānau member, Oriwia Raureti (Ngati Raukawa). She is currently the Executive Director of Operations at Te Wānanga. Oriwia has Read more
Eminent Jesuit calls on New Zealand to dump new missal translation
Tuesday, October 4th, 2016An eminent theologian has called on New Zealand’s Catholic Church to make a direct appeal to the Pope for permission to scrap the current English translation of the Roman Missal in use in this country. Fr Gerald O’Collins, SJ, made the call at a gathering of Auckland priests at Waipuna Lodge in Mt Wellington on August 24. Continue reading in NZ Read more
Methodist city parish sends one of its pastors roaming the streets
Tuesday, October 4th, 2016An inner-city parish has sent one of its pastors roaming the streets. Rob Ferguson joined the Durham St Methodist Mission in July and now spends 40 hours a week walking through Christchurch’s recovering CBD. In plain clothes and with just a tablet, cell phone and backpack, Ferguson’s mission is simple: Talk to people. Continue reading
Exorcisms on the rise in New Zealand, even among those who aren’t Christian
Tuesday, October 4th, 2016Exorcisms and spiritual deliverance are on the rise in New Zealand, even among those who aren’t Christian, some deliverance ministers say. Auckland woman Josephine Martin, who runs a monthly prayer room at Church Unlimited, has been “operating in the area of deliverance” for 26 years, and says the number of people stepping up to say Read more
Carrying the cross the length of New Zealand
Friday, September 30th, 2016
Kim Rusden and his wife Joan are walking the length of the country carrying a cross because they believe that is what God wants them to do. “We’re walking the length of New Zealand with the cross and sharing the gospel along the way to those who would like to hear,” Kim said. Kim does Read more
Youth Conference had a problem – too many people came
Friday, September 30th, 2016
Organisers of an annual youth conference in Brisbane faced an unusual challenge… too many people wanted to come. The four-day event is getting so big might “soon outgrow” present its venue. The conference took place 22 to 25 September. It drew more than 1600 registered participants, a marked increase on last year’s event. The travelled Read more