News Shorts

Abuse crisis has cost US church $4billion

Friday, November 6th, 2015

The clergy sex abuse crisis has cost the US church nearly US$4billion, an investigation by the National Catholic Reporter has found. This is 30 per cent higher than the figure commonly cited in media and by academics and activists. And separate research shows scandal-related consequences like lost membership and diverted giving has cost the Church Read more

Catholic school suspends boy for bow and arrow gesture

Friday, November 6th, 2015

A six-year-old boy was suspended from a US Catholic school after he pretended to shoot another student with an imaginary bow and arrow. The principal of Our Lady of Lourdes School in Cincinnati wrote in a letter that he had “no tolerance for any real, pretend, or imitated violence”. The boy’s parents said their son Read more

Former Scientologist actress returns to Catholicism

Friday, November 6th, 2015

A US actress who wrote a tell-all memoir about her years as a Scientologist has returned to the Catholic faith. Former King of Queens actress Leah Remini left the Church of Scientology in 2013 after decades of membership. “I was always religious. I was baptised as a Catholic. I got my daughter baptised as a Read more

Family time under threat in the Shop Trading Hours Bill

Friday, November 6th, 2015

New Zealand’s Catholic Bishops are disappointed that workers’ family time is under threat in the Shop Trading Hours Amendment Bill. MPs have voted 75 to 45 in favour of the bill, moving it to the Commerce Committee for consideration. “We are disappointed that the vote in favour of sending the Shop Trading Hours Amendment Bill Read more

Simply Red to play at Mission Estate

Friday, November 6th, 2015

Music is once again set to rock The Mission this summer, having secured English soul and pop group Simply Red to perform early next year. The concert will be part of the new Mission Estate Summer Concert series. Simply Red will take to the stage on February 28 with another major international artist, to be Read more

Mark Parihaka Day not Guy Fawkes, say Maori Party

Friday, November 6th, 2015

Party co-leader Marama Fox said it made more sense for New Zealanders to recognised the significance of Parihaka rather than Guy Fawkes, a foiled act of terrorism in a faraway land. Mrs Fox said it was inappropriate for New Zealanders to be celebrating Guy Fawkes. “When I was a child they used to still make Read more

Sydney priest loses appeal over smacking boy in church

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2015

A Sydney priest has lost his appeal against a common assault verdict which came after he smacked an 8-year-old boy in church. Fr Terrence Millard denied smacking the allegedly misbehaving boy at a church in Sydney’s south-west last September. The priest’s lawyer tried to argue there were inconsistencies in accounts of the incident. But the Read more

Rise in reported Philippines demonic possessions

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2015

The church in the Philippines has been forced to recruit more exorcists to cope with a three-fold increase in reports of demonic possessions. Manilia archdiocese said the Church now has 80 to 100 exorcism requests on its books at any one time. Some Christians are taking matters into their own hands, seeking out healers and Read more

Holy See confirms Vatican delegation visited China

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2015

A Vatican delegation had talks with Chinese officials during a recent visit to China last month, the Holy See has disclosed. The six-member delegation visited for 11 days, during which time they visited Beijing Cathedral, the National Seminary and Bishop Giuseppe Li Shan. Bishop Li-Shan is recognised by both the Holy See and the Chinese Read more

Wellington’s first burlesque ball in a church

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2015

Old Saint Paul’s is set to host Wellington’s first burlesque ball to be held in a church. The Burlesque Ball 2015, hosted by Urzila Carlson from 7 Days and organised by award-winning international burlesque performer Courtney L’amour, will be a night to remember. The evening will include aerial silk, trapeze and hoop work, cabaret, salsa, Read more