The Anglican Bishop of Wellington Justin Duckworth answers the door in T-shirt and shorts, holding a plate of marmite toast. He and his wife Jenny have been living in Whanganui for three weeks, in the St Peter’s vicarage in Koromiko Rd. They are currently sharing the four-bedroom house with a young family. They’ll stay there Read more
Chilean bishop Juan Barros, who has been accused of covering up sex abuse by a paedophile priest has testified before a Vatican mission. The mission is currently investigating the allegations. Read more
An Invercargill man is facing a charge of manslaughter after the death of Chanel Henwood at a birthday party on February 10. The 32-year-old man charged with assault in relation to the death of a 27-year-old man at the Marist Rugby Club in Invercargill is now facing a charge of manslaughter. He is expected to appear Read more
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem has been closed in protest at Israeli tax policies which Christian leaders say unfairly target the Christian community. The Church is important to Christians as it was built where Jesus’s crucifixion is believed to have taken place. Read more
Three freedom campers have been caught in the act using a quaint church on the West Coast as their private camp – and bathroom – during ex-tropical Cyclone Gita. A local mother and daughter confronted the visitors on separate occasions after witnessing one urinating in the church yard of St Aiden and St Columba Church Read more
Catholic bishops in South Sudan say the country’s leaders need help with peacemaking. They say the killings in South Sudan must stop. In their view South Sudanese leaders do not know how to make peace, are confused, traumatised and fear peace. Their comments were made the same day Pope Francis designated for global prayers for Read more
A developer hopes his plans to convert a 135-year-old Petone church into apartments will inspire others to save historic buildings. Tony Cook bought the Wesley Church on Nelson St two years ago. It had sat unused since 2013 after being deemed earthquake prone. The church was built in 1883 and is the oldest church in Read more
The Catholic church in Scotland’s opposition to a smacking ban has been met with anger by children’s rights campaigners. Plans to outlaw the physical punishment of children would “criminalise parents”, one of the church’s top officials is quoted as saying. He went on to say “it is not the role of the state to interfere” Read more
Two teenagers who dressed up as holocaust victims will not be suspended from their Catholic School. The Auckland students arrived at athletics day dressed in blue striped pyjamas, with a yellow Star of David pinned to their shirts. Liston College Board of Trustees chairman Ralph Elika said the school would use restorative justice for the Read more
Pope Francis wants young people to go online and give the Catholic Church an earful. His invitation is for young people all over the world. Their views will add to those of young Catholics meeting in Rome next month. Read more