Chevani Shannon likes to get out and about with help from the Chris Ruth Centre Charitable trust, but that’s only made possible because of modified vans that can also transport her wheelchair. Centre Chief Executive Marilyn Paston says there’s a huge variety of things they do. “We rely on our vans to get our people Read more
New Zealand
Death Cafe movement is coming to Palmerston North
Thursday, June 15th, 2023The Death Cafe movement is heading to Manawatū with the first meeting on June 17. Creating a space to talk about death is the aim of the group, says facilitator Aingie Miller, who wants to take the discomfort out of conversations. “I believe that the more that we talk about death, the more comfortable we Read more
Religious conversation likely to be further silenced
Monday, June 12th, 2023
Informed religious conversation and public discussions around religion could become even more scarce if the proposed cuts to the Religious Studies department at Victoria University are implemented. Dr Sara Rahmani, a lecturer in religious studies at the university (pictured), voiced her concerns about the potential impact of eliminating the programme in a recent interview with Read more
New Zealands most ‘housing insecure’ are men
Monday, June 12th, 2023
Men are New Zealand’s most vulnerable when it comes to housing. Men seem particularly vulnerable to housing insecurity, says Greg, a peer support worker with Lifewise, who works with men experiencing homelessness. He told RNZ’s The Detail they’re often facing a web of other personal challenges. Thinking of the people he works with now, Greg Read more
Married Dunedin deacon may open door to others
Monday, June 12th, 2023
A married Balclutha man has been ordained the first permanent deacon in the Catholic Church in Dunedin. “I went to Fiji to complete my studies to become a priest in 2017, but I got married to Fania. “The following year we began the journey towards me becoming a permanent deacon.” Deacon Iosefa and Mrs Fania Read more
Christian Connection dating app: Kiwi woman says she was raped on first date
Monday, June 12th, 2023A Wellington woman who complained to police she was raped on a first date says some men are using a Christian dating app to target vulnerable women. When Belinda* first discovered Christian Connection, a popular faith-based dating app, she was optimistic about finding love again. Having been on her own for the last seven years, Read more
Queen’s Service Medal recipient’s faith in human connections
Monday, June 12th, 2023There is comfort and hope in the way Dr Mary Eastham talks of human connections as an art form, a work of beauty that can build trust and understanding capable of overcoming any injustice. It is in the timbre of her voice and the conviction of her words. The 71-year-old, who has been bestowed a Read more
Royal Commission scope questioned in Jehovah’s Witnesses judicial review
Thursday, June 8th, 2023
The Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses (Australasia) Limited has filed an application for judicial review regarding the Royal Commission of Inquiry on Abuse in Care. It is seeking the review as well as a High Court declaration saying the Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW) church does not assume responsibility for the care of children, young people, or Read more
SNAP wants NZ to break diplomatic relations with Holy See
Thursday, June 8th, 2023
SNAP – a group of clergy sex abuse survivors – is urging the Governor General to break diplomatic ties with the Holy See. In a King’s Birthday appeal, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) Aotearoa wrote an unsigned, open letter to Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro. The group, under leader Chris Longhurst Read more
Holy See representative cancels upcoming visit
Thursday, June 8th, 2023
Holy See representative Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle had planned to visit New Zealand this October. However, as can happen, plans change and he won’t be coming after all. Considered by some to be Papabile, Tagle is the Pro-Prefect for the Section of Evangelisation of the Dicastery for Evangelisation and is responsible for appointing New Zealand’s Read more