Christchurch councillors say they are keeping an open mind before deciding whether to grant $10 million to help restore the ChristChurch Cathedral. The Christchurch City Council decided in principle earlier this year to contribute $10m toward the $104m earthquake-damaged cathedral’s restoration but wanted to consult with the public before making a final decision. Continue reading
Ex-offenders on probation in Oldham, England, can be sure of at least one present: they are given Christmas gifts from a local church. In a tradition that started 20 years ago, the Shore Edge Methodist Church have donated presents to those on probation “as an ultimate offer of redemption”. Read more
Matt Maher recalled the unexpectedly powerful experience of recently hearing a Maori hymn to Mary in New Zealand. Read More You will need to scroll down to find the comment
The Hong Kong Catholic Church will recruit more married men to reach out to the needy. The church is also encouraging more young people to join the priesthood. Read more
Christmas cheer will be spread in Russell once again this year at the annual Carols @ Pompallier concert. The show is at Pompallier Mission, the Heritage New Zealand property in the Bay of Islands. Continue reading
A Maserati-driving pastor who owns $4 million of property needs to be more open and transparent about his church’s finances, former members say. Murray Watkinson, a former carpet layer who sold his carpet business in Wellington in 1975 after “encountering God in a supernatural way”, began the Celebration Centre church in 1990 in Aranui with Read more
Suffering is an essential ingredient of our faith and humanity. One who doesn’t suffer with suffering brothers . . . must question himself on the sincerity of his faith and of his humanity, Pope Francis says. His comments were made in the context of the Rohingya minority, who are persecuted in Myanmar. Read more
Papua New Guinea’s Labour minister says the work permits of all expatriates in the country will be reviewed, and the rules for new permits will be tightened. Mehrra Kipefa also said the rules for the issuing of new permits would be tightened. He said the review would ensure expatriate workers are only working the one Read more
Cardinal Reinhard Marx has spoken out about the lack of vision some of the European Union’s (EU) leading members are showing. Marx, who is the president of the German bishops conference, says the EU’s broken promises, the exaggerated personal ambitions of some of its leading members and lack of vision have eroded people’s trust in Read more