Simon McLellan represented New Zealand as an observer at the 2015 Asia-Pacific assembly of Christian Life Communities (CLC) that has just ended in Taipei. CLC is one of the oldest lay organisations in the Church. It is present in more than 55 countries, and was established in Wellington in 1997. Held over four days, the Read more
The founder of a new church on the Kapiti Coast says the church is a business that has to create its own path. “It cannot rely on parishioners … times are difficult. The church has to look at other ways to ensure its financial viability – do not underestimate the Christian dollar,” says Kerupi Tavita. Read more
Wellington’s Archbishop John Dew said he couldn’t understand why his cellphone kept beeping at 3am while he was holidaying in Waikanae Beach. It turned out to be a series of messages carrying prayers and congratulations after his name was included in a list of 20 new cardinals in the Catholic Church, announced by Pope Francis. Read more
Te Rūnanga o te Hāhi Katorika ki Aotearoa chair Sr Tui Cadigan has expressed hope that Rome will be able to find a way to appoint a Maori bishop to help boost the faith of Maori. She said: “We have to be mindful of the fact that Takuira has been gone now for about 10 Read more
Blueswoman Laura Collins will open and close the second annual Voices of Faith event at the Vatican next month with a hauntingly beautiful ballad penned by fellow Kiwi musician Steve Cournane and accompanied on piano by Wayne Mason, writer of the 1960s pop hit Nature. “The whole thing is pretty surreal. I’m kind of humbled really. Read more
The religious movement founded by Maori prophet Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Turuki is exploring how it can entice followers back to church and increase the expertise of its tohunga (ministers). About 30 Ringatu followers and tohunga went to a wananga at the University of Waikato last weekend, where falling church attendance and the abilities of Read more
New Zealand artist and ecologist Fr Peter Healy says his paintings are like a spiritual prayer presenting the beauty of creation. He was speaking at the opening of an exhibition of some of his paintings at the Mahara Gallery in Waikanae. Peter said his paintings were his way of capturing the truth of nature and Read more
Christchurch city councillor Raf Manji, says he did not see why religious groups should be exempt from paying rates. Manji was a member of the working group that prepared a discussion paper released last week by Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ). The paper considers alternative funding options for councils as many are finding it increasingly difficult Read more
A questionnaire that is part of the preparation for the next session of the Extraordinary Synod [The Synod on the Family] is available online. The New Zealand Catholic Bishops are inviting people to use the questionnaire as an opportunity to add their “voice” to the global discussion which began last year. Completed questionnaires must be returned by Read more
Christian lobby group Family First is calling for a boycott of the upcoming film Fifty Shades of Grey. The film, which features acts of sadomasochism, is being released on Thursday. Family First wants families to boycott the film and instead donate money to a local women’s refuge. The group’s director Bob McCoskrie said the film Read more