Bishop Michael Gielen has opened Christchurch’s new $50 million Marian College, a groundbreaking development in educational architecture. What distinguishes the College is that it is ingeniously nestled under the expanse of an existing giant warehouse roof on Lydia Street. “Most people are quite surprised. You can’t see much from the outside because of the warehouse Read more
One year after the devastating Cyclone Gabrielle, St Vincent de Paul continues its recovery support in Wairoa. A pivotal visit by St Vincent de Paul Napier council member Dan Sussmilch helped the organisation develop a multifaceted strategy to offer immediate relief and assist in facilitating the community’s long-term rehabilitation. As part of its community involvement Read more
Bishop Viard College, Porirua, has gone from a struggling school with a roll that had almost halved to one yielding the most impressive growth across the Wellington region. The Porirua-based state-integrated Catholic secondary school saw its roll drop dramatically from about a peak close to 500 in 2010 to a low of 231 in 2019. Read more
A recent study highlighted the significant impact of Covid-19 vaccines in New Zealand, notably reducing deaths and hospitalisations during the Omicron phase. Published in Vaccine, the research estimates vaccines averted 4,000 to 12,000 deaths and 34,000 to 56,000 hospitalisations within 18 months from January 2022. However, among the highlighted outcomes were the disparities in health Read more
A beacon of hope, Healthy homes, shines for Waikato families grappling with the escalating cost of living. The groundbreaking move is an initiative of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, affectionately known as Vinnies. The innovative initiative programme promises to arm residents with strategies to save approximately $1000 annually on power bills. Healthy Homes Read more
In a historic move towards unity, Anglican and Catholic bishops from across the globe gathered for the ‘Growing Together’ summit, a testament to their commitment to bridge centuries-old divides. The Growing Together summit, known as the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM), was held from 22-29 January in Rome and Canterbury. Anglican Read more
A recent study alarmingly reveals that global temperatures have not only surpassed the critical 1.5°C threshold set by the 2015 Paris climate agreement but are also on a trajectory to exceed 2°C within this decade. Published in Nature Climate Change, the University of Western Australia’s Professor Malcolm McCulloch’s groundbreaking research utilised a unique method to Read more
Rebecca Taylor-Hunt, Director of the Catholic Enquiry Centre, reports that among an exhibition of relics unearthed beneath the earthquake-ravaged Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Christchurch, a minute fragment of The Blessed Virgin Mary’s veil and a piece of the true cross are prominently featured. Titled ‘Saints in Coffee Jars’, the relics are currently on Read more
The bishops and congregational leaders of the Catholic Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand, dispute claims on social media that the Catholic Church did not freely choose to be included in the Royal Commission on Abuse in Care. Comments on social media also say the Church “actually made excuses not to be included” and it “fought Read more
In a significant about turn, Christchurch bishop Michael Gielen is proposing Barbadoes Street, the location of the original cathedral, as his preferred site for a new Christchurch Cathedral. The new thinking marks a departure from the construction plan on Armagh Street. As part of the change in thinking, Bishop Gielen has initiated consultations with professional Read more