News Shorts

Rātana Church issues stern warning to Ardern’s Government

Thursday, November 8th, 2018

Some Rātana followers are worried Labour is taking advantage of the church’s political support. “After we’ve aligned to them in their good favour, they then drop us like a hot pancake,” one woman told Newshub. Read more

Over 3,000 Egyptian churches’ wait for legal recognition

Thursday, November 8th, 2018

More than 3,000 Egyptian churches and church-affiliated buildings are still waiting for legal recognition from the Egyptian government. They have been waiting for nearly two years after legislation, seen by some as positive step for religious freedom in the Muslim-majority country, was passed. Read more

NZ pro-life rosary crusade planned for December 8

Thursday, November 8th, 2018

At 3 pm on December 8th, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, all around New Zealand, people in parishes and other holy places take part in the NZ Pro-Life Rosary Crusade. They will be praying will be to defend life, from conception to natural death. On the same day parishes, groups, families and people of Read more

Australia’s Archbishop Fisher calls for Ruddock report’s release

Thursday, November 8th, 2018

Archbishop Anthony Fisher has called on the Australian government to release the Ruddock report on religious freedom, which it has kept under wraps since May. Read more

Australian Border Force blocking church baptism of detention-born baby

Monday, November 5th, 2018

The Australian Border Force is preventing a baby who was born seven months ago in a Melbourne immigration detention centre from being baptised in a church, according to the family and a Catholic priest. A United Nations body is now examining whether Australia is breaching its human rights obligations by holding the infant in arbitrary Read more

More Nauru children moved to Australia – New Zealand solution rejected

Monday, November 5th, 2018

Australia’s Morrison government has dismissed a fresh bid by a Senate crossbencher to resettle refugees in New Zealand, but continues to transfer children from Nauru to Australia, with two more families leaving on Friday. There are now only 35 refugee children on Nauru, with more expected to leave in the coming days. Fifty minors have Read more

Screaming man interrupts TV network’s live mass

Monday, November 5th, 2018

A screaming man interrupted the live, televised Mass on a global Catholic network on Sunday. The unidentified man yelled “this is it!” and profanities as a priest lifted the chalice during EWTN Global Catholic Network’s live Mass. Read more

Nazareth Care ordered to pay $140,000 for manager’s unjustified dismissal

Monday, November 5th, 2018

A Christchurch retirement facility owned by nuns must pay $140,000 after sacking its general manager and escorting him off the premises without explanation. The Employment Court this month ruled Nazareth Care unjustifiably dismissed Stephen Roach and ordered it to pay him $140,000 compensation. Continue reading

Pope’s eco-agenda will loom large in Amazon synod

Monday, November 5th, 2018

Pope Francis’s eco-agenda – as expressed in Laudato Si’ – will put care of our common home at the center of the Church’s concern, and that of the world, says Brazilian Bishop Vilson Basso. “We need the care of the whole world, that it be a place where everyone can live. “This is integral ecology. Read more

St John’s College celebrates school leader Thomas Watene

Monday, November 5th, 2018

Thomas Watene’s school achievements are so impressive that when St John’s College held its senior prize-giving, a table was set aside just for his awards. The 18-year-old picked up nine accolades in total – including 2018 dux, top Māori scholar, and five subject awards. Continue reading