Emotional tributes are flowing from across Australia for beloved spiritual grandfather, Brisbane-based Jesuit Father Gregory Jordan, who died suddenly on July 19, aged 85. Born in Hamilton, New Zealand on 13 July 1930, Fr Jordan spent his secondary education in Wellington at St Patrick’s College. At 18 after leaving school he entered Loyola College, Watsonia, Read more
They’re flipping out at McAuley High School but it’s all in a good cause. Students are trialling a “flipped classroom” as part of a project encouraging innovative teaching in 75 schools New Zealand-wide. Education Minister Hekia Parata says 39 projects have been funded to the tune of $2.6 million in the first round of the Read more
The Vatican has banned an Italian journalist from travelling on the papal plane during Pope Francis’s visit to Cuba and the United States later this year. Experienced Vatican correspondent Marco Ansaldo will be forced to seek alternative transport to cover the visit. The sanction comes as punishment for his newspaper’s role in breaching an embargo Read more
One of the most severe critics of the Church’s handling of the clergy sex abuse scandal has briefed members of a pontifical commission. Fr Thomas Doyle, OP, met four members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors last month. The priest emphasised two main points: The need for real accountability on the part Read more
The Little Sisters of the Poor have appealed to the US Supreme Court for relief from compliance with the Obamacare contraceptive mandate. Earlier this month, the 10th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the Little Sisters and other religious entities seeking relief from having to facilitate contraceptive coverage in employee health insurance. Churches and Read more
Property developer and Willis Bond & Co managing director Mark McGuinness and Attorney General Chris Finlayson were once in the same debating team when they attended St Patrick’s College Wellington. “He was a terrific guy – very smart, so he carried the rest of us in the team. He was very eloquent then, as he Read more
A new documentary entitled The Price of Peace goes beyond the surface into the world of Tame Iti, and takes a different approach to telling the story of the Tūhoe raids. Award-winning director and co-producer Kim Webby says she wanted to show all sides of Tame Iti. “I knew him differently. I knew him as Read more
The Presbyterian Church has made a public statement condemning New Zealand’s binge-drinking culture and calling for effective government policies to combat it. Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, the Right Rev Andrew Norton, says the church isn’t against alcohol and the community must play a role in providing alcohol-free activities for young people. But he says Read more
The prefect of the pontifical household has questioned why some pastors want to allow divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion. Archbishop Georg Ganswein told a university publication he didn’t know why some pastors want to propose what is not possible. “Perhaps they give in to the spirit of the time; perhaps they allow Read more
The body of stigmatist St Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) will reportedly be exposed in St Peter’s Basilica for a week in February next year. A “Jubilee for Padre Pio’s prayer group” will take place on February 13, 2016, as the body of the Capuchin saint will be exposed in St Peter’s from February 8-14, Read more