News Shorts

Pope laments haemorrhaging of priests and nuns

Thursday, May 24th, 2018

Pope Francis is lamenting the haemorrhaging of nuns and priests in Europe. God only knows how many seminaries, monasteries, convents and churches will close because fewer people are being called to lives of religious service, he says. Read more

Indonesian Catholics want mercy for terrorist

Thursday, May 24th, 2018

Leading Catholics in terrorism-plagued Indonesia have criticized prosecutors who demanded the death sentence for the terrorist allegedly behind a deadly spate of suicide bombings and attacks against police that have left many dead. Continue reading

The heroic virtues of 12 Servants of God confirmed

Thursday, May 24th, 2018

Pope Francis has confirmed the heroic virtues of 12 Servants of God. His decree has promulgated by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Those whose heroic virtues the Pope recognized include American-born Servant of God Norbert McAuliffe (born: John). McAuliffe was a professed religious of the Institute of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. Read more

Muslim community want women-only swimming sessions

Thursday, May 24th, 2018

Permanent, women-only swimming sessions have been requested in a submission to the city’s council by members of the Islamic community keen to hit the water. It’s a way of embracing the New Zealand lifestyle while adhering to religious requirements that prevent men seeing their bodies, Esra Qatarneh said. Continue reading

Ireland’s Catholic bishops all considered resigning

Thursday, May 24th, 2018

Ireland’s Catholic bishops considered resigning en masse following the publication of the Ryan and Murphy reports into child abuse in 2009, former president Mary McAleese has said. Read more

Seymour warns about neighbours with mental health issues

Thursday, May 24th, 2018

Act Party leader and Epsom MP David Seymour has been accused of fuelling prejudice after he sent a letter to constituents warning that tenants in a new housing development could have mental health issues. Seymour stands by the letter, saying that the social housing development had a history of anti-social behaviour and he was “telling Read more

North Koreans telling their stories at churches in Auckland

Monday, May 21st, 2018

A group of North Koreans have been visiting Auckland to share their experiences at churches around the city, spreading the word about their escape. The group is part of a Christian mission led by a South Korean pastor Kwang Choi. Park Sung Il a former North Korean labourer, remembers clearly the hazardous journey he had Read more

Oscar Romero to be recognised as saint

Monday, May 21st, 2018

Oscar Romero is to be recognised as saint of universal church. He was shot dead on March 24th 1980 as he was saying Mass in the cancer hospital in El Salvador. In his three years as archbishop, he had become an outspoken voice for the poorest people of his country. They were caught up in Read more

Meghan Markle’s Catholic school celebrates

Monday, May 21st, 2018

Meghan Markle’s Catholic school – Immaculate Heart Middle School and High School – toasted Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding during an outdoor pre-wedding celebration last week. Markle went to the Los Angeles school from seventh to 12th grade. Read more

Atheist Richard Dawkins wants to move to ‘ideal country’ New Zealand

Monday, May 21st, 2018

One of the world’s most famous scientists has professed his desire to live in New Zealand – although he’s disappointed he won’t see any moa. Richard Dawkins is an English evolutionary biologist best known for his strong stance against religion, which he wrote about in his bestselling 2006 book The God Delusion. Continue reading