Maori is having a revival across New Zealand. Indigenous people are increasingly embracing their language, rejecting generations of stigma and shame associated with its use. And white New Zealanders are looking to Maori language and culture to help them make sense of their own cultural identity. Read more
A young Australian man, Sebastian Duhau, 22, will be one of only 20 lay people from around the world speaking at the upcoming youth synod in Rome. He will have the opportunity to speak to the hierarchy of the Church for four minutes, condensing experiences from his youth ministry work that take him around Australia, Read more
A lawyer linked to New Zealand’s first convicted human trafficker has been sentenced for fraud, continuing to show no remorse to his victims. He provided false information as part of legal services he provided to convicted human trafficker Faroz Ali in 2014. Continue reading
New Zealander Sean Davison helped his cancer-ravaged mother end her life, he was charged this week with doing the same for a disabled friend – and now South African authorities suspect he has assisted with more deaths. Continue reading
American singer-songwriter and musician, Bruce Springsteen, admits that deep down he’s still a Catholic. Springsteen has a new memoir out and, in it, he makes much of his Irish roots as well as the deep influence – for better or worse – of the Catholic Church. Read more
The Labour Party in Britain wants early pregnancy gender tests banned because of fears it may lead to girls being selectively aborted. Naz Shah, the party’s spokeswoman for women and equalities, said it was “absolutely wrong” that women were pressurised to have abortions if the baby was expected to be a girl. Read more
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is accepting donations towards a Rapid Response Appeal to support Caritas Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Mangkhut (local name: Ompong). The typhoon swept through the Philippines this weekend with over 4.3 million people in its path. NASSA/Caritas Philippines is responding and is carrying out assessments of the impact. Heavy landslides, Read more
The death penalty is likely for three top Muslim clerics in Saudi Arabia. Rights activist claim the clerics are facing charges of promoting an extremist agenda. The clerics’ prosecution and possible execution is unusual in Saudi Arabia where religious leaders are usually seen as untouchable. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been taking strong action Read more
A whistleblower alerted Immigration New Zealand to the exploitation of 12 Indian workers in the South Island. A 30-year-old employer was found to have forced staff across his South Island operation to work more than their visas allowed, refused to provide time off and paid them less than minimum wage. Continue reading
His Eminence Metropolitan Myron has arrived in New Zealand for his enthronement. He was elected Metropolitan of New Zealand by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the end of May, following the retirement of Metropolitan Amphilochios Tsoukos. Continue reading