More than 20 rapes or near rapes and thousands of cases of sexual harassment have been revealed in a survey of students at two Christchurch high schools. The survey at Avonside Girls High School documented incidents of body shaming, cat calling, taunts and unwanted touching. Meanwhile, the survey at Shirley Boys High School, which shares Read more
News Shorts
Spanish bishop makes statement on alleged apparitions at Garabandal
Thursday, October 27th, 2022The bishop of Santander, Manuel Sánchez Monge, has stated regarding the extraordinary events of Garabandal that “my position, like that of my predecessors, is that Rome’s assessment remains valid: ‘There are no signs of supernaturality.’” In addition, he acknowledged that he contacted the San Pablo Center of University Studies (CEU) to express his displeasure because Read more
Students’ ‘wife beater Wednesday’ dress-up day canned by Christchurch school
Thursday, October 27th, 2022A Christchurch high school has slammed its students’ choice of dress-up theme, after learning of a proposed “wife beater Wednesday”, which was canned a day before the dress-up event. Year 13 students from St Bede’s College, the Catholic boys’ school, were intending to dress up in white singlets, sometimes referred to as “wife beaters” before Read more
Patriarch Kirill agrees war cannot be holy
Thursday, October 27th, 2022His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, met with World Council of Churches acting general secretary Dr Ioan Sauca, in Moscow on 17 October 2022. In addition to a public conversation, Patriarch Kirill and Dr Sauca had their own private audience to discuss Orthodox matters. Patriarch Kirill welcomed the guests, saying: “I Read more
Death announced of Archbishop Patrick Coveney, former Nuncio to New Zealand
Thursday, October 27th, 2022The death of Archbishop-emeritus Patrick Coveney has been announced by the Bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr Fintan Gavin. Archbishop Coveney served as Papal Nuncio in New Zealand and Greece before his retirement. Since his retirement as Apostolic Nuncio to Greece in 2009, Archbishop Coveney had resided in Crosshaven Parish in the Diocese of Cork Read more
Migrants to Australia fear loss of religious freedom
Thursday, October 20th, 2022
Migrants may be deterred from coming to Australia due to perceived loss of religious freedom, says opposition immigration spokesman Dan Tehan (pictured). In an address to the National Press Club of Australia on Tuesday, Tehan said people of faith are more likely to steer clear of Australia and prevent it from attracting the best available Read more
Long COVID at 12 months persists at 18 months, study shows
Thursday, October 20th, 2022New data suggest that most patients with COVID-19 who have lingering symptoms at 12 months are likely to still have symptoms at 18 months. The findings are drawn from a large study of 33,281 people in Scotland who tested positive for the coronavirus. Most of the results are in line with those from earlier, smaller Read more
Controversial mega-church Arise shuts doors in Auckland, starts anew
Thursday, October 20th, 2022Arise Church has closed its doors in Auckland, and the Campus Pastors have resigned, following months of controversy, including allegations of racism, sexual assault and conversion therapy. In a letter to the congregation, the Arise Board said Campus Pastors Ben and Anna Carroll have confirmed they have resigned from their roles “and will look to Read more
US begins deporting Venezuelan migrants to Mexico
Thursday, October 20th, 2022The United States began deporting Venezuelan migrants on Thursday through several points on the border with Mexico while sending a clear message to those hoping to enter the US that they will no longer be able to get into the country, according to the AP. Catholic church shelters in Matamoros, Ciudad Juárez and Piedras Negras, Read more
Staff shortages mean 30,000 dementia patients missing vital care – advocate
Thursday, October 20th, 2022A psychogeriatric unit for dementia patients at a Dunedin rest home is being forced to close due to staffing shortages. Alzheimers New Zealand said the closure was more evidence of a “scandalous” gap in healthcare for the elderly, and they estimate about 30,000 people with dementia who need vital care are missing out, due to Read more