Concern is brewing among Catholics when they learnt that not a single New Zealand woman is representing the country at the upcoming Synod. New Zealand’s bishops had nominated a balanced slate of nine candidates, including five women and four men, but the final selection process has left many Kiwi men and women scratching their heads. Read more
In a blow to the Christ Church Cathedral restoration, British philanthropist Hamish Ogston, has come under scrutiny for his unfulfilled pledge of millions of dollars towards the Christchurch Cathedral’s restoration. The board responsible for the cathedral’s ongoing repairs says that they have not received any funds from Ogston. They also mentioned that they have a Read more
Kiwis are putting the brakes on bike purchases, according to Newsroom. The decline in bicycle sales could spell trouble for New Zealand’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and may further put into question the substantial investment in cycle lanes by the Central Government and local councils. The challenges facing New Zealand’s bicycle market were laid Read more
Top mental health specialists warn that the number of psychologists and psychiatrists must double to meet patient demand. Practitioners said New Zealand needed 15 psychologists per 100,000 people to meet demand – equating to 770 full-time workers. But Te Whatu Ora estimated the public sector currently employed about 350 workers. Ashley Bertelson, 18, said her Read more
People from Christchurch joined with those from Palmerston North to fill the Palmerston North Holy Spirit Cathedral on Saturday for the episcopal ordination of John Adams. Adams was ordained bishop by the President of the New Zealand Bishops Conference and Bishop of Auckland, Steve Lowe and also installed as the third bishop of Palmerston North. Read more
In a display of silence, the John of God Brothers headquarters, based in Rome, did not open the door to Marylands survivor Darryl Smith. Smith, a long-time voice for sexual abuse survivors, was sexually abused as a child while at John of God Brothers residential schools in both New Zealand and Australia. Pleased that finally Read more
“Pretty stink” is how artist Aora Novak described an attack on a Dunedin Māori Jesus mural. The mural had been fully covered in white paint. The artwork veered away from traditional iconography and aimed to represent a more modern and inclusive image of Jesus Christ. Novak of Ngai Te Rangi and Ngati Kahungunu descent guided Read more
Whanganui’s new City Mission manager Dr Antony Nobbs says he’s been searching for a job that will make a tangible difference for people. For the past 13 years, Nobbs has worked as a director of learning support and student development at Massey University and Auckland University of Technology. But he said businesspeople rather than educationalists Read more
In a tale that could be straight out of a religious fable, two celestial figures have emerged from over half a century of seclusion. But there’s a heavenly hiccup with the angels: their wings are missing. These angelic figures fell from grace during the sweeping changes ushered in by Vatican II in the 1960s. Destined Read more
In a significant move, the NZ Catholic bishops are promoting open and informed life discussion through a modernised and broadened document, Te Kahu o te Ora – A Consistent Ethic of Life. The modernisation seeks to fill a twenty-six-year gap and reflect some of the modern challenges. Dr John Kleinsman, director of the NZ Catholic Read more