When Auckland Emeritus Bishop Patrick Dunn was asked by Holy Cross Seminary rector Fr Mathew Vadakkevettuvazhiyil to teach Maori language and culture to first-year seminarians, he was hesitant to accept the role. “I can’t see properly and I’m not Maori,” Bishop Dunn said. “I had huge doubts doing it but mostly because of my eyesight. Read more
New Zealand
Support for Catholic leadership study on offer
Thursday, September 22nd, 2022
The NZ Catholic Education Office (NZCEO) is making a significant financial contribution to supporting the development of Catholic teachers in leadership and the teaching of Religious Education. The NZCEO is looking to support future Catholic leaders who need to undertake qualifications in Catholic Leadership or special character, including Theology and Religious Education. There is a Read more
“Baby bishops” in Rome for pandemic-delayed course
Thursday, September 22nd, 2022
This month has seen over 330 new Catholic bishops taking part in a formation course in Rome. Among them was Archbishop Coadjutor Paul Martin, appointed the tenth Catholic Bishop of Christchurch in December 2017. He was consecrated in March 2018 (pictured). There isn’t usually such a time lag between being appointed bishop and attending the Read more
Canterbury people more concerned about climate change than rest of New Zealand
Thursday, September 22nd, 2022Canterbury residents are more concerned about climate change than the rest of New Zealand, a new Stuff survey has revealed. The NowNext survey over two weeks in August asked more than 5500 New Zealanders about their major concerns. The results were weighted to reflect national age, gender and location demographics. The online survey found 42% Read more
Teens’ basic academic skills count in later life, study finds
Thursday, September 22nd, 2022Research shows people who struggle with reading and maths as teenagers suffer lasting disadvantage, especially if they are women or Māori. The New Zealand Work Research Institute at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) found low scores in maths and reading tests at age 15 were associated with worse incomes, qualifications, and crime and health statistics Read more
Catholic school leads in dyslexia breakthrough
Monday, September 19th, 2022
A Catholic primary school’s ‘structured literacy’ method really works, say advocates. People with neurodiverse learning difficulties like dyslexia are learning to read. Four years ago, this wasn’t the case at Wānaka’s Holy Family Catholic school. The traditional literacy programme wasn’t working, says principal Jo McKay (pictured). Despite interventions like Reading Recovery, some students weren’t succeeding. Read more
Myanmar military surround Catholic church with landmines
Monday, September 19th, 2022
Surrounding the church with landmines does not surprise Frank Bird (pictured). The New Zealand priest has just returned from the Myanmar-Thai border. Landmines surround a Catholic church in Myanmar. Before mining it, the military had been using the church as a kitchen. The military junta’s mining of the Mother of God church in Mobye, a Read more
Rising cost of groceries could drive unhealthy choices
Monday, September 19th, 2022For many the price of groceries is prohibitive. At many supermarkets, tomatoes cost $15 per kilogram. A bag of Homebrand potato chips is $1.50, and a litre of soft drink is $0.90. For many families, the choice is obvious. Why get a bag of vegetables, when you could get 10 bags of chips or 16 Read more
Charity calls for inquiry into ‘punitive, degrading and dangerous’ car imobilisers used by lenders
Monday, September 19th, 2022Christians Against Poverty is calling for a government inquiry into the sale of low-value insurance to lower-income car buyers. It also wants the Government to ban the misuse of car immobilisers, which some finance companies require borrowers to pay to install, allowing them to immobilise vehicles if borrowers miss repayments. Christians Against Poverty (CAP) says Read more
Come back! Catholic bishops lift all Covid-19 restrictions
Thursday, September 15th, 2022
New Zealand’s Catholic bishops have lifted the remaining Covid-19 restrictions on attending Mass. After the Government lifted all restrictions this week, the bishops followed suit. At the same time, they issued an invitation. We are happy to extend an enthusiastic invitation for all Catholics of Aotearoa New Zealand to return to full and active participation Read more