Republican Christian voters are being called on in a new political advertisement to turn against Donald Trump this November, arguing the president’s rhetoric and actions are out of step with their faith. The ad, released on Tuesday (July 14), features several self-identified Republicans discussing Trump and his presidency as a piano softly plays the hymn Read more
Retired Auckland diocese vicar for education Linda McQuade has been honoured by Pope Francis, who made her a dame of the Order of St Gregory the Great for her more-than-40-year service in education. Continue reading in NZ Catholic.
Priests have spoken of a “crisis of conscience” as bishops in England and Wales issue differing guidelines on the reception of Holy Communion. The bishops’ conference recommends that Communion only be received in the hand, but individual bishops have the authority to make policy for their dioceses, and have adopted varying guidelines. A spokesperson for Read more
An iwi leader says a glossy booklet promoting “racist propaganda” being dropped into Lower Hutt letterboxes is dangerous. Kura Moeahu, chairman of Te Runanganui o Te Atiawa and of the Waiwhetū Marae in Lower Hutt, was unsurprised the booklet To All New Zealanders: Are we being Conned by the Treaty Industry? was doing the rounds. Read more
Caritas Internationalis, the Vatican’s charitable organization, joined Pope Francis in his call for the debt forgiveness for the poorest countries, while condemning the fact that for many regions “there are two pandemics,” COVID-19 and hunger. “Two major crises require immediate and determined action by people of goodwill, leaders and all members of the human community,” Read more
Three Catholic-run hospitals providing life-saving services free of charge to vulnerable Syrians hope to aid some 50,000 patients by the project’s end next year. “Institutions in Syria now are having a lot of difficulties … So, this project supporting these hospitals is helping them to go on,” said Flavia Chevallard, project coordinator for “Operation Open Read more
The leaders of a California evangelical megachurch are under fire for bungling the church’s response to a youth ministry volunteer’s confession that he was attracted to minors. The Menlo Church volunteer in question first told Senior Pastor John Ortberg about his feelings two years ago, though congregants weren’t officially notified about the situation until January. Read more
Bishop Michael Dooley has returned to Dunedin diocese and has resumed his duties as bishop after taking some time away. On May 3, Bishop Dooley wrote a letter addressed to his “dear brothers and sisters in Christ” announcing that he would spend some time away from the diocese for personal and spiritual renewal. Read more Read more
Falling fertility rates mean nearly every country could have shrinking populations by the end of the century, a new study has found. And 23 nations – including Spain and Japan – are expected to see their populations halve by 2100. Countries will also age dramatically, with as many people turning 80 as there are being Read more
A seven-year prison sentence for a mentally-ill man who kissed a stranger on Cuba St went well beyond excessive punishment and would shock properly informed New Zealanders, the Court of Appeal has found. But despite the finding, two of the justices involved in the case say the man cannot be discharged because of New Zealand’s Read more