The Jehovah’s Witness church has been fighting scrutiny from a national inquiry into the historical abuse of children for three years, court documents show. The church has accused the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care of wilfully “miscasting” its religion and ignoring evidence showing why it should be excluded from the inquiry.OK In Read more
New Zealand
Jehovah’s Witness church spends 3 years fighting scrutiny of Royal Commission of Inquiry
Thursday, September 7th, 2023Christchurch man who attacked partner claimed she was the devil for not following the correct form of Christianity
Thursday, September 7th, 2023A man who bit and strangled his partner also told her he would tie her up and chop her into pieces, claiming she was the devil for not following the “correct” form of Christianity. Geoffrey Marsters, 43, appeared at the Christchurch District Court on Tuesday, where he was jailed for three years and 10 months Read more
No more media for St Peter’s College principal
Monday, September 4th, 2023
The principal of Gore’s St Peter’s College, Tara Quinney, has been restrained from speaking to the media amid a fraught relationship with the school board. St Peter’s College was placed under limited statutory management in April, with lawyer Nicola Hornsey appointed the Statutory Manager to oversee governance after the board and principal sought intervention from Read more
Migrant exploitation shamefully exposed
Monday, September 4th, 2023
Migrant exploitation and its prevention are current concerns for Immigration New Zealand (INZ). The concern follows media exposure of numerous shameful examples of migrant workers coming to New Zealand and finding themselves without work, money or suitable accommodation. On Monday, INZ said it had received 711 complaints against accredited employers, with 154 being investigated for Read more
Inclusive lectionary, some actual English Mass prayers signalled
Monday, September 4th, 2023
The Catholic Church in New Zealand is setting its sights on introducing an inclusive lectionary for Mass. Improved translations for the opening and post-Communion prayers are also under consideration. The initiative was confirmed by Bishop Stephen Lowe, president of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference and the bishops’ representative on the International Commission on English Read more
Police ‘really struggling’ with youth crime in Christchurch
Monday, September 4th, 2023Christchurch police officers are “really struggling” with the level of youth crime in the Garden City and feel “hamstrung” in their efforts to deal with the problem, the Police Association president says. Chris Cahill told Breakfast: “It’s a really significant issue. I just got a briefing from front line cops in Christchurch yesterday, and I’ve Read more
Food charity can’t afford rent
Monday, September 4th, 2023After supporting the Queenstown community for five years, food rescue charity KiwiHarvest needs the favour returned. Established by Queenstown Lakes District councillor Esther Whitehead in 2018, the Queenstown branch of the national charity is on borrowed time after its government funding was slashed earlier this month. KiwiHarvest picks up excess food, including fresh produce, from Read more
Sexual abuse survivor says Catholic offer of help ‘two-faced’
Thursday, August 31st, 2023
A man who suffered sexual abuse as a child at the hands of the Brothers of St John of God is upset. Darryl Smith (pictured) was one of dozens of boys who suffered “extreme abuse and neglect” at Marylands School. Complaints show the school’s abusive reign ran from 1955 to the late 1980s. Now 59, Read more
Brian Tamaki wants his disruption plan to break apart Parliament
Thursday, August 31st, 2023
Brian Tamaki has a disruption plan to “break apart” Parliament and its “lying politicians”. It was inspired by God, he says. Tamaki – Destiny Church founder and co-founder of the Freedoms New Zealand political party – says God gave him a vision of how he should run the campaign. He’s “had insight from the spirit Read more
Catholic faith tested during leadership stint
Thursday, August 31st, 2023
Todd Muller says his Catholic faith was deeply tested during his ill-fated 53-day stint as National leader. He “really struggled” during a self-described mental breakdown, saying his prayers “weren’t being answered”. But Muller, who will retire from Parliament after this year’s election, says hundreds of people reached out to him after he spoke publicly about Read more