Pope Francis has appointed Mr Bill Kilgallon to the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. Kilgallon is the Director of the National Office for Professional Standards of the Catholic Church in New Zealand. Dr. Krysten Winter-Green, another New Zealander now resident in the United States, has also been appointed to the Commission. Bill has Read more
Family First NZ has received notification that Charities Services, previously called the Charities Commission, intends to continue its attempts to deregister the charity. Family First is appealing the decision and it will be heard in the High Court at Wellington early next year. The group was advised in 2013 the Charities Commission intended to deregister the Read more
Marist seminarians from the 1970’s onwards are being invited to a reunion with a purpose; to see where their mission is taking them now. “Our years at Mount St Mary’s were some of the most memorable of our lives. Let’s re-live the memories, re-invigorate the friendship and share where our Mission is taking us now”, Read more
When he was visiting New Zealand last year Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, who is thought to be close to the Pope, said that there was a need for more cardinals from Oceania. He said Oceania is not Australia by itself, and the region has a wide variety of nations and peoples. So it is possible Read more
A bill which would legalise voluntary euthanasia has been dropped by Labour MP Iain Lees-Galloway at the request of his leader Andrew Little. Mr Lees-Galloway had been canvassing support for his End of Life Choice Bill before deciding whether to return it to the private members’ bill ballot. But Mr Little confirmed yesterday that he Read more
With the festive season upon us, and as a service to our readers, The Press is providing this cut-out-and-keep song sheet of contemporary Christmas carols. Enjoy! Good Kim Dotcom Good Kim Dotcom once looked out Shocked and disbelievin’ FBI men all about, helicopters even So began a tale of cash, Parties, spies and drama But Read more
Falling parishioner numbers, costly repairs and “changes in strategic direction” are behind a rash of for sale signs on churches across the country. From Southland to Northland, Trade Me is listing more than 20 as-is-where-is churches or completed residential conversions, and real estate agents say interest is high. Offerings range from a $150,000 original 1926 Read more
On the 27th November the New Zealand Government, through the Governor-General, claimed the land that the Holy Cross Chapel in Chancery Lane, Christchurch, stood on. This land taken by proclamation is to be used for the Convention Centre Precinct. The Christchurch diocese says this move is not an unexpected development. It is part of the Read more
Anglicans and Catholics are worried proposed changes to planning rules in Christchurch could make it hard for them to rebuild earthquake-damaged churches. They have both made submissions on proposed plan changes. They say under the new rules their special recognition disappears. Under the current District Plan spiritual activities involving churches are treated separately from other Read more
The 245 member Baptist Church Union has been quick to distance itself from the comments of West City Baptist Church pastor Logan Robertson who urged a gay writer to kill himself. The union has confirmed that the West City Bible Baptist Church is not affiliated with them. “I’m appalled by the comments made by the West Read more