News Shorts

Birth control isn’t harmless new study says

Monday, May 1st, 2017

People who think birth control is harmless may need to think again. A new Swedish study has found women taking oral contraceptives could suffer a range of health issues. Read more

Easter at Messy Church in Kapiti

Monday, May 1st, 2017

The Anglican Parish of Kāpiti, says the Messy Church is providing a vehicle for teenagers to grow in their connection with God and their expression of devotion and hospitality. Messy Church is not a denomination, but a world -wide movement that attempts to provide “a relaxed style of church suitable for all ages.” It values Read more

Ireland may legalise abortion as Pope visits

Thursday, April 27th, 2017

A visit to Ireland next year for the World Meeting of Families may see Pope Francis arriving in Dublin at about the same time as abortion is legalised. Read more  

Married At First Sight NZ will trivialise marriage, church says

Thursday, April 27th, 2017

A spokeswoman for the Catholic bishop of Auckland said Christian marriage was “a sacred covenant”. Married At First Sight trivialised marriage for ratings and did not give the couples their best chance at success, she said. Married At First Sight pairs couples “at the altar” as they embark on an experiment to see if they can Read more

Pope, C9 Cardinals, curia reform, protection of minors

Thursday, April 27th, 2017

The 19th meeting of the Council of Cardinal Advisers has been held this week. Often called the C9, the Cardinals and Pope Francis have examined several dicasteries of the curia; the protection of minors; the economy,  a range of texts Francis has put forward for consideration, and Holy See lay staff and clergy selection and Read more

Catholic Maori celebrate Easter in Tauranga

Thursday, April 27th, 2017

More than 2000 Catholic Maori gathered at Aquinas College this weekend to celebrate their faith over Easter. The annual Hui Aranga (Easter gathering) was held at Aquinas College with participants from 12 different clubs coming from across the North Island from as far as the Hokianga and Wellington. Continue reading

Pope flying to Egypt to strengthen interreligious dialogue

Thursday, April 27th, 2017

Pope Francis is flying to Egypt today. During his two-day visit  he will celebrate Mass, participate in a peace conference,  meet with the Orthodox Coptic Patriarch, Tawadros II and promote and deepen interreligious dialogue. Egypt is a predominantly Muslim nation. Read more  

Workers’ rights – Wage-stealing’ bosses in the crosshairs

Thursday, April 27th, 2017

A workers’ rights advocate is calling for tougher penalties against employers found to be breaching minimum employment standards A new research paper canvassing how the British and Americans handle law-breaking employers is offering a solution to New Zealand’s so-called lazy and drugged-up workforce problems. Continue reading

Pope and Trump won’t be meeting

Thursday, April 20th, 2017

Pope Francis and President Donald Trump will not be meeting when Trump is in Italy next month. Diplomatic sources say although there won’t be a Trump-Francis encounter next month, it ” is not a snub or a wish to avoid any possible awkwardness, but due to logistical and time constraints”. Read more

Cardinal Dew – We must speak up about our housing crisis

Thursday, April 20th, 2017

Statement on Housing Crisis issued by Cardinal John Dew and Archbishop Philip Richardson If you give New Zealanders the facts, most of us know what’s a fair deal. Most of us have a gut instinct that owning a home makes us more secure and stable. And if we were pressed, we’d say that home ownership Read more