Karl de Fresne provides examples of statements that strike him as evidence of the mainstream churches desperately searching for relevance in an increasingly secular world, and of deluding themselves that they will find it by pushing fashionable political barrows. Read more
The results of last month’s survey asking for opinions on a wide range of topics about the Catholic Church and social issues have been released by the Saint Leo University Polling Institute. One question asked about Pope Francis and the Church’s handling of sexual abuse cases. The survey found 64 percent view the Pope favourably. Read more
A woman wanted in Fiji is yet to return from Australia to face charges over trafficking workers from Fiji to New Zealand. Continue reading
American Archbishop Charles Chaput is asking Pope Francis to cancel the youth synod set for this October. The synod will gather bishops from around the world to discuss matters about “young people, the faith and vocational discernment.” “I have written the Holy Father and called on him to cancel the upcoming synod on young people. Read more
A commuter’s moment of inspiration and some hard work between two parishioners from St Michael and All Angels Church in the Wellington suburb of Newlands has resulted in a windfall for the Newlands foodbank. Continue reading
Some Kenyan priests have given up their vows of chastity, have married and have formed a new church. The Renewed Universal Catholic Church has more than 15 former Catholic priests who have married. It has dioceses throughout Kenya. Read more
A New Zealand cardinal told a conference on the future of parishes in Ireland that his diocese benefited from the appointment of church workers known as lay pastoral leaders who exercise many functions that normally would be the responsibility of a parish priest. Continue reading
Ampleforth College has appointed its first female principal, Deirdre Rowe, to lead the school. Ampleforth’s trustees say the leadership of the independent boarding school should revert to a lay-person. It said Ms Rowe, who takes over from current Headmaster, Fr Wulstan Peterburs, will balance academic standards with pastoral care and will focus on ensuring that Read more
The Ministry of Education is considering a statutory intervention at McAuley High School in Auckland’s Ōtāhuhu. The offer of support comes in the wake of the school’s board of trustees working through a “confidential personnel matter”, ministry spokeswoman Katrina Casey said. Continue reading Also read
Pope Francis says his trip to the World Meeting of Families in Ireland was a mixed bag of joy and sorrow. He came face to face with the joy exuded by families of all ages who turned out for the papal events, as well as the pain of those impacted by the abuses perpetrated by Read more