Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is appealing for donations to provide humanitarian relief to those affected by the earthquake in Nepal. Caritas responded rapidly to the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that happened on Saturday. It was centered 10 miles below the surface, less than 50 miles from the capital of Kathmandu. Assessments are coming in and Caritas Read more
“The future of the Church is in good hands,” Kitty McKinley, founder of Challenge 2000, says. McKinley is the founder of Challenge 2000, a youth development organisation based in Johnsonville, Wellington. On ANZAC weekend Challenge staff, volunteers, gap students and locals produced moving performances that recognised and remembered those who gave their lives and fought for Read more
Teachers at New Zealand’s biggest Islamic school are monitoring students’ online activity in light of increasing international concerns over how extremist groups are using the internet to recruit members. Principal of Mangere’s Al-Madinah School, Asin Ali, told the Herald on Sunday that cyber-monitoring of his 550 students was being conducted, including scanning for extremist-related material. Read more
A terminally-ill Wellington lawyer trying to clarify the law on assisted dying has accepted a judge’s ruling to allow interest groups to join her court case. Lecretia Seales, 42, was first diagnosed with a brain tumour in March 2011 but with her health deteriorating, she petitioned the High Court in Wellington to uphold her right Read more
New Zealand’s Anglican and Catholic have asked the Government for more transparency about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) currently under negotiation. This is so New Zealanders can better evaluate the trade deal’s implications, the bishops stated. The bishops acknowledge the right and duty of any New Zealand Government to promote the nation’s trading opportunities. And they are Read more
A priest whose father was a Gallipoli veteran has given up the opportunity to attend the centenary celebrations in Turkey. Fr David Mullins, SM, was selected for a double pass in the New Zealand Gallipoli ballot last year. There were 9851 applicants, and only 950 double passes were issued. But Stuff reported that the retired Read more
An Auckland parish priest has challenged the Church to make contemplative prayer a priority throughout its schools. Writing in an integrated schools newsletter, Fr Peter Murphy stated that Christianity is at a crossroads. Fr Murphy wrote that the New Zealand bishops’ document “The Catholic Education of School-Age Children” last year came as a wakeup call Read more
Two men charged with burgling the quake-damaged Christ Church Cathedral last month have avoided prosecution. Philip Pavich, 55, and Gilbert Southworth, 46, apologised for their actions and gave money to the Anglican diocese. On March 21, motion-activated cameras detected their entry into the building. Police arrested the pair after they were caught leaving the cathedral Read more
The Society of St Pius X community in New Zealand will celebrate the centenary in August of the former Ngongotaha church it relocated to Auckland. The Immaculate Conception Church from Ngongotaha near Rotorua was relocated to Avondale two years ago. The building was rededicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Fr Robert MacPherson, SSPX, said Read more
Residents in East Auckland want large container trucks off a route that passes three schools, including St Joseph’s Catholic School in Orakei. Stop Containers Through Kohi opposes container trucks travelling through Orakei, Kohimarama and St John’s to reach the depot in Morrin Rd in Mt Wellington. The group says drivers should use a motorway route Read more