A Spanish bishop has reversed a decision not to allow a woman who identifies as a man to be a godparent. Two weeks ago, Bishop Rafael Zorzona Boy of Cádiz and Ceuta determined that Alex Salinas, 21, could not be a godparent at her nephew’s Baptism. But the woman, who has not yet undergone a Read more
Hungary is a far cry from suburban East Auckland. But that’s where a team of cross country runners from Sacred Heart College are headed. The squad has qualified to compete at the World Secondary Schools Cross Country Champs in Budapest next April. The selection comes after the team achieved the top result at the national Read more
After 14 years leading Garin College principal John Boyce’s announcement of his immediate retirement this week was a shock for some, but for him, it was time. He was, he said, “absolutely exhausted”. Boyce joins a long list of changes at the top in schools through Nelson and Tasman. From Golden Bay High School through Read more
Marist School pupil Hazel de Mooy has won the National Primary Science Week Light Photo Competition with a shot to be proud of. The 8-year-old braved the heat of flames to create the image but it was something she was excited to do. “Dad had a couple of goes at it first but I wanted Read more
The Church’s doctrinal chief says the synod on the family faces a challenge in helping people in difficult situations while staying true to Jesus’ teaching. In a recent interview, Cardinal Gerhard Muller said the synod in October will need to deal with “the challenge of finding pastoral solutions to ensure a stronger integration of people Read more
The Philippines bishops’ conference has been asked to dramatically increase the number of exorcists in the nation. Fr Jose Francisco Syquia, the chief exorcist for Manila archdiocese, said he has seen a steady increase in cases in the past decade, with 200 so far this year. In 2006, a National Office of Exorcism was opening Read more
A Conservative UK MP has said anti-terror laws should be applied to those who teach that same-sex marriage is wrong. Mark Spencer has promoted the use of Extreme Disruption Orders (EDOs) to prevent teachers disseminating the idea that marriage should only be between a man and a woman. EDOs are a new anti-hate-speech measure introduced Read more
On Sunday 30 August, The Catholic Institute 2015 Open Lecture will be delivered about St Peter’s Basilica by Dr Christopher Evan Longhurst STD, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Hill Street, Wellington. The lecture starts at 8pm, following 7pm Eucharist. Dr Longhurst works at the Musei Vaticani in Rome as a researcher and scholar, Read more
When the news spread of the death of 92-year-old Fr Bill Corcoran on July 4, there was raw sadness felt for loss of this much loved and respected priest. He was able to drive a vehicle until a couple of months ago when he became seriously sick. But there were also sighs of Alleluia that Read more
The New Plymouth Operatic Society has just announced Sister Act as its 2016 production and Angela Trigger is “seriously” considering auditioning. Her name may depict somebody holier-than-thou but Angela Trigger reckons she is far from angelic. “But having gone to a Catholic school and being taught by nuns I now know how they felt,” she Read more