An international group of seismologists and engineers are to carry out a two year project to develop a seismic vulnerability index for unreinforced masonry churches and historic buildings. The study will include about 50 churches in Auckland, 11 in Wellington and 29 in Dunedin. Initially they will use data from 48 unreinforced masonry churches in Read more
The Sisters of Compassion have announced that as part of the process for obtaining the canonisation of Suzanne Aubert, an historical consultation took place on 4th February. The votes were unanimously positive for her cause to proceed. The process for seeking sainthood for Suzanne Aubert began in the 1980s. Jessie Munro wrote a biography of Read more
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference has produced a document about the Catholic education system in New Zealand. Catholic Education of School-Age Children outlines the Bishops thoughts about the Catholic education network, the principles which they believe should always underpin its operation and their concerns and hopes for the young people who move through it. The Read more
Sister Jo Kane, the New Zealand leader of the Sisters of the Mission, Religieuses de Notre Dame de Mission, (RNDM) has been elected to be their international congregational leader. She was elected at the sisters general chapter being held in Hua Hin, Thailand. Sister Jo will replace Sister Maureen McBride who is also a New Read more
City Impact Church founders Peter and Bev Mortlock are selling their home at Gulf Harbour, Whangaparaoa, north of Auckland, New Zealand for $1.88 million. The Mortlocks front a weekly church-funded TV programme, The property has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, three living areas and a heated pool and spa and is described in promotional material as having a Read more
The former Home of Compassion Creche is going to get a new lease of life and a new location in the Buckle Street Memorial Park, complete with a picket fence and garden reminiscent of the original. The category-1 heritage listed building at 18 Buckle St will be rolled to the back of its site and then Read more
St Joseph’s parish in Wellington whose church is located near the proposed Basin Reserve flyover has expressed concern at the possibility of being caught up in its noisy construction. ”The church is a focus for calm contemplation and worship by its parishioners,” Wellington barrister Trevor Robinson said. He said it was the church’s view that Read more
Child poverty and domestic violence are still not being taken seriously enough by ordinary New Zealanders, says The Salvation Army. On Wednesday The Salvation Army released its latest annual State of the Nation report reviewing social progress in New Zealand The report acknowledges creditable progress in some areas of social wellbeing. However, Salvation Army Social Read more
Members of St Therese’s Catholic church in Bethlehem, in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, are grieving the loss of the church, which burnt down in suspicious circumstances. The blaze tore through the building late last Thursday night and police and the fire service are investigating its cause. Erana and Peter Bidois were watching a Read more
In a recent statement the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child said “tens of thousands of children worldwide” were abused systemically for years within the Catholic Church. In commenting on the report, the National Director of the Office for Professional Standards, Mr Bill Kilgallon told Radio New Zealand that in New Zealand all Read more