A federal judge in the US has given 114 Chaldeans and other Iraqis facing deportation a stay of at least two more weeks. During that time he will find out whether his court has the jurisdiction to rule on such matters. The US Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested those waiting deportation on 11 Read more
Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel says if there is to be any certainty on the Christ Church Cathedral’s future, the Anglican Church’s synod must vote in favour of restoration. At Thursday’s city council meeting Dalziel said there was only one decision the synod could make in September that would provide that certainty – voting for restoration. Read more
An adventure movie about St Ignatius Loyola is about to hit box offices. The movie, which its director says is a contemporary take on Ignatius’s life, is important. “There is a need for this new material on St. Ignatius of Loyola, especially because the young people now are very visual.” Read more
On 2o0 July about 100 people from faith and community groups and many political parties gathered together on the front lawn of Parliament to call on politicians to vote with their conscience to at least double the refugee quota. Bishop Justin was there, he spoke to the crowds and urged us to ask, as Jesus Read more
The World Day of Refugees has sparked a number of ideas Pope Francis suggests we might want to share. All five ideas are practical. The involve addressing the widespread problem with urgency, doing one’s civil duty, being welcoming, and showing hospitality and love. Read more
Papua New Guinea’s acting chief Immigration officer Solomon Kantha says he is waiting for a fresh visa application from a New Zealand religious layworker who was deported this month. His comment comes after the Catholic Church said it was poised to take legal action against Mr Kantha for contempt of court because he ignored a Read more
South Sudan is about to get US$500,000 (NZ$700,000) to help pay for two hospitals, a school and farm equipment. Pope Francis is the donor. The country is suffering the effects of decades of civil war and its people are facing starvation. Read more
Pā Steven Thomas Hancy was born in Wairoa on 23rd September 1953 and passed away in Whanganui on 27th May 2017. Pā was ordained at Mohaka Marae by Bishop Peter Cullinane on 6 February 1988 and served in the parishes of Hawera, Taradale, New Plymouth, Patea and Waverley, Hastings West, Central Hawkes Bay and Whanganui. Read more
Iraqi and Syrian Christians have fled their homelands in huge numbers since 2011. About half of them have have left so far, says a report released by Christian advocacy groups Open Doors, Served, and Middle East Concern. Read more
A clergyman who worked in New Zealand as a doctor in the 1990s is returning there as the new Bishop of Dunedin. Revd Dr Steven Benford, currently serving in the Diocese of London, was a doctor for twenty nine years. Making the announcement, Archbishop Philip Richardson welcomed the appointment: “I look forward to welcoming Steven Read more