The Covid-19 pandemic has been good for the wallets of the wealthy. Some 573 people have joined the billionaire ranks since 2020 bringing the worldwide total to 2,668, according to an analysis released by Oxfam on Sunday. That means a new billionaire was minted about every 30 hours, on average, so far during the pandemic. Read more
News Shorts
Clifflife Church property ‘totally ransacked’ in late-night raid
Thursday, May 26th, 2022The pastor of Clifflife Church in Whanganui has been left feeling frustrated after items were stolen and parts of the property “totally ransacked”. “I think we have a really good rapport and we are seen as a positive influence in the community, so it was completely out of the blue,” Jason Malcolm said. “We’ve got Read more
Archdiocese of New York closing down newspaper
Thursday, May 26th, 2022Catholic New York, the biweekly newspaper of the Archdiocese of New York, will cease publishing in November the archdiocese announced on May 19. “We know that this is a painful decision for many, beginning with the excellent team who have dedicated themselves to producing an outstanding, award-winning periodical — one of the best, if not Read more
Cardinal Zen appears in Hong Kong court after arrest by Chinese Communist Party
Thursday, May 26th, 2022Cardinal Joseph Zen, former archbishop of Hong Kong, appeared in court Tuesday after his unceremonious arrest by Chinese Communist Party officials. According to Catholic News Agency, the 90-year-old cardinal, who was arrested with four other pro-democracy advocates, was a trustee of a relief fund used to bail out protesters and pay legal fees. The five Read more
Nigerian Christian student stoned to death after blasphemy claim
Monday, May 23rd, 2022A Nigerian Christian woman studying at a college in Sokoto State was brutally stoned to death and later burned after being accused of blasphemy. Deborah Yakubu from Zuru in Repa Local Government Area was said to be in her early twenties. She was killed by Muslim men studying with her at Shehu Shagari College of Read more
Diocese gets NZ sign language award
Monday, May 23rd, 2022The Catholic Diocese of Auckland is celebrating its reception of their 2022 NZ Sign Language Employer award. The diocese received the NZ Sign Language Employer Award for including NZ Sign Language at all staff meetings and events and for its inclusive workplace environment and advocacy for the deaf. “The award acknowledges the amazing effort that Read more
Catholic priests tackle mental fallout of Filipino polls
Monday, May 23rd, 2022Catholic clergymen in the Philippines have begun counselling sessions for Filipinos experiencing post-election stress following May 9 presidential polls. Many are those who experienced repression during the martial law years imposed by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, and who are struggling to come to terms with his son Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, who won the Read more
Positivity palpable, community priceless at Levin tornado damaged Catholic school
Monday, May 23rd, 2022
St Joseph’s Catholic school in Levin narrowly avoided the direct path of last Friday’s Levin tornado. News reports say damage to the exterior of the school was mostly from downed trees, and the playing field showered in broken glass and debris from neighbouring houses. A neighbour’s garage was even ripped from its foundations and thrown Read more
Apolstolic Nuncio caught phishing scam
Monday, May 23rd, 2022The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines warned the public on Thursday against phishing scams involving the impersonation of the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila. According to the CBCP Secretariat, the scammers would impersonate Archbishop Charles Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, using an e-mail. Msgr. Bernardo Pantin, CBCP Secretary General, said the scam targets those Read more
Vatican hosts synod listening session with disabled Catholics
Monday, May 23rd, 2022The Vatican hosted a virtual listening session with Catholics with disabilities on Thursday as part of the Synod on Synodality process. People from more than 20 countries participated in the video call hosted by the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life on May 19, with some expressing concerns about experiences of discrimination and exclusion. Read more