Hannah Tamaki has hit back on Twitter, supporting a message from one of the church’s members that accused the gay community of double standards and hit out at bullies and critics of husband Brian Tamaki and Destiny Church. “The gay community want to be free to express themselves, to be accepted no matter what they Read more
On Sunday Pope Francis created 35 new saints during a Mass in St Peter’s Square. In his homily, Francis referred to the Christian life as a “love story with God” and said “The Saints who were canonised today and especially the many martyrs, point the way.” Read more
A meeting of Manawatū women from different faiths provides a chance to talk about both their differences and similarities. A prayer mat is spread, a candle lit and the colourful robes of a bronze deity are smoothed. The door of an old church is opened. A moment of meditation is observed. Continue reading
The 2018 Catholic Youth Festival will be hosted by Australia, Anthony Fisher, Archbishop of Sydney says. At present Australia is waiting for the results on a referendum on same sex marriage and Parliament is considering legalising euthanasia. The bishops will discuss these themes at the festival. Read more
Protesters from last week’s defence industry conference in Wellington have appeared in court on charges of obstructing a public place, and disorderly behaviour. Six people appeared before a registrar in the Wellington District Court last Friday morning. Continue reading
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference (NZCBC) is seeking applications for Director of the National Liturgy Office. This is a unique, part-time role supporting liturgical practice within the Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand which: promotes sound and appropriate liturgical practice within the bicultural environment of Aotearoa New Zealand provides advice and recommendations to NZCBC Read more
The German bishops appear to have abandoned a controversial new German translation of the Missal that was based on Liturgiam authenticam, the Congregation for Divine Worship’s 2001 document. Liturgiam authenticam insisted on greater fidelity to the Latin original in liturgy translations. The conference president Cardinal Reinhard Marx has called Liturgiam authenticam, a “dead end”. Read Read more
Students at an Oxford college protested after their representatives tried to ban the Christian Union (CU) from a first year students’ fair. Balliol College’s Junior Common Room, which represents undergraduates, initially refused the CU a stall, fearing it would be “harmful” to students because of Christianity’s links with “neo-colonialism” and “homophobia”. Read more
The bishop of Ruteng in Indonesia has resigned amid mounting concerns surrounding an alleged mistress and reportedly stolen funds. Bishop Hubertus Leteng, 58, was accused of borrowing $94,000 from the Indonesian bishops’ conference, as well as $30,000 from the Diocese of Ruteng. Continue reading
The Ninevah Plains, traditionally home to a large Christian community, could be wiped out as it is now “ground zero” for disputed territories between the Kurdish regional government and Baghdad. Five Catholic and Orthodox bishops have issued a joint statement appealing to the international community to protect Christians in the area. Read more