The U.N. Human Rights Committee has told Paris to review its Muslim headscarf ban. Although the Committee’s decisions are not legally binding, it has also challenged a European Court of Human Rights ruling in 2014 that defended France’s ban on the Muslim headscarf. France has the largest Muslim minority in Europe, making up an estimated Read more
In a semi-rural Marlborough town, St Luke’s Church is welcoming its loyal parishioners; as it has done since Queen Victoria was head of state. While the number of regular attendees for Sunday morning service fluctuate from 25 to 30, St Luke’s is a vital part of the community Continue reading
Malaysia has decided to abandon the death penalty. The Asian country’s decision is winning praise and adds further momentum to a growing global trend that human rights advocates hope will spell an end to state-sanctioned killing. Read more
More than 800,000 people have been stripped of insurance funds set aside to cover their funeral costs when they die after Southern Cross pulled the pin on the benefit. Continue reading
Anti-Semitic incidents have been increasing for some time in the US – and the recent shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue is an example of an ongoing problem. It surfaces often in the research conducted by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks various U.S. hate groups, including neo-Nazis, white nationalists, skinheads and others. “They’re all Read more
Patricia Fox, an Australian nun who battled a government bid to expel her from the Philippines after she angered President Rodrigo Duterte, said Wednesday (Oct 31) she will leave rather than face certain arrest and deportation. Continue reading
The number of new Catholics grew by an estimated 14 million from 2015 to 2016. As of 2016 about 1.3 billion of the world’s 7.35 billion people identified as Catholics. Despite the millions of new Catholics, the global catholic population fell by 0.05 percent due to the number of deaths and conversions to other faiths, Read more
One person was seriously injured and seven others received minor injuries after a butane canister exploded during a barbecue at a De La Salle College in Māngere last Friday Principal Myles Hogarty said the explosion took place at morning interval and “involved a portable gas cooker exploding while boys were running a sausage sizzle as Read more
The Vatican is mishandling China and the recent agreement between the Vatican and China is a step toward the “annihilation” of the church in China, says Cardinal Joseph Zen. Zen, who is the former bishop of Hong Kong, says the distinction between the underground Church and the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association has not been eradicated. Read more
A senior Vatican cardinal believes Catholics face two choices as the Church experiences a “perfect demonic storm” due to sexual abuse. “We are at a moment of serious crisis, probably the greatest crisis our Church has faced in many centuries,” said Cardinal Edwin O’Brien, who visited New Zealand from September 13 to 16. Continue reading Read more