Pope Francis has asked the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors to produce an annual report on what the Catholic Church is doing around the world to prevent the abuse of minors and vulnerable adults. In an audience at the Vatican on April 29, the pope called on the commission to produce the annual Read more
A family is split between New Zealand and the Philippines due to Immigration New Zealand’s acceptable standard of health policy. Arianna Alfonzo, 12, is autistic and communicates through body language and gestures. Her father, Allan, has been living and working in New Zealand since 2016. He and his wife, Gail, received their permanent residence visas Read more
Two Catholic dioceses in Ireland will soon be under the leadership of one bishop, a representative of Pope Francis has told local Irish bishops. In a joint statement, Bishop Brendan Kelly of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora and Bishop Michael Duignan of Clonfert said that their two dioceses in the west of Ireland would be joined Read more
The quest to raise funds for Terry Kennedy’s parting gift to the community has received a major boost from an organisation close to the late Timaru councillor’s heart. St Vianney’s Timaru Trust chairman Dale Walden confirmed on Thursday that the trust would give $5000 to the Terry Kennedy fundraiser. The aim is to purchase a Read more
Pope Francis said on Saturday that he continues to have problems with his leg, and his doctor has ordered him not to walk. “There is a problem: this leg is not good, it does not work, and the doctor has told me not to walk. I like to go… but this time I have to Read more
The Vatican and Vietnam have agreed to upgrade their relations, which have been slowly improving since a total break after the communist victory in the Vietnam War nearly half a century ago. A joint working group agreed at its latest meeting in Hanoi that in the near future relations would be upgraded to the level Read more
Determined taggers risked their lives to deface the spire of one of Timaru’s oldest landmarks, scaling about 56 metres above the ground to vandalise the church. St George’s Coptic Church in Timaru, formerly Chalmers Presbyterian Church, has been undergoing repairs since 2021 to address earthquake strengthening issues as well as make repairs to damage caused Read more
A Catholic priest was among four people sentenced on Monday over the shooting of a bishop-elect in South Sudan. A judge at the high court in the capital Juba issued the sentences on April 25 after Father John Mathiang Machol, Moris Sebit Ater, Laat Makur Agok, and Samuel Makir were found guilty of “participating directly Read more
Clothing retailer Postie is returning to Alexandra after a three-year absence, but the move comes at the expense of its Queenstown store in the Five Mile Shopping Centre. Postie chief executive Linda Leonard confirmed the Queenstown outlet would shut up shop on Anzac Day. Three staff would go as a result of the closure. Unfortunately, Read more