The first English woman to be made a priest in the Anglican communion has died, aged 92. Rev. Joyce Bennett was ordained in the Chinese branch of the Anglican Church in 1971, 23 years before the Church of England ordained its first female clergy. Before this, the only woman to be ordained in an Anglican Read more
News Shorts
No selfies at Tekapo’s Church of the Good Shepherd
Friday, July 17th, 2015An increase in numbers and visitors disrespecting God’s house have resulted in a selfies ban inside Tekapo’s iconic Church of the Good Shepherd. The interdenominational church is one of the most popular scenic icons in the country with an estimated 100,000-plus visitors a year. The Mackenzie Co-operating Parish oversees the church. Parish committee member Graeme Read more
Permanent supply priests not a solution for parishes
Friday, July 17th, 2015The Clergy Trust Fund (CTF) in the Archdiocese of Wellington has become concerned that the challenge to review the Mass times and number of Masses, in line with the number of priests appointed to a parish, is being disregarded by some parishes. Those parishes have organised supply priests, priests who are not in parochial ministry, Read more
Promote culture of life – Wellington Council of Priests
Friday, July 17th, 2015The Council of Priests in the Wellington Archdiocese, is encouraging parishes, to continue to promote a “culture of life”, and respect for the elderly, terminally ill, and vulnerable persons in our society. In a memorandum sent by Cardinal Dew to all parishes they say, “We encourage parishes in their regular Mass of Anointing of the Read more
Pope appoints Msgr Burns to Caritas Internationalis
Tuesday, July 14th, 2015
The Holy Father has nominated as Members of the Executive Board of Caritas Internationalis: Msgr Gerard Patrick Burns, President of Caritas Oceania, Lucas Van Looy, Bishop of Gent and President of Caritas Europe; Youssef Antoine Soueif, Archbishop of Cipro and President of Caritas Cipro. Msgr Burns is the vicar general of the Archdiocese of Wellington. Source Read more
Former nuncio’s Vatican trial suspended because of illness
Tuesday, July 14th, 2015Former Vatican diplomat Józef Wesołowski has been taken to hospital with an “unexpected illness” on the first day of his trial for alleged child sex abuse. His is the first trial in the Holy See’s criminal court of a senior official on charges of paedophilia and possession of child pornography. Wesołowski, a former archbishop, was Read more
Adventists vote against ordaining women pastors
Tuesday, July 14th, 2015A world assembly of Seventh Day Adventists has voted not to allow their regional church bodies to ordain women pastors. At the church’s General Conference in Texas, the vote was 1381 to 977. The outcome was reportedly influenced by delegates from Africa and South America. Before the vote had been tallied, a spokesman said the Read more
Cardinal Marx lowers expectations of family synod
Tuesday, July 14th, 2015A German cardinal has warned not to expect dramatic changes in Church practice from October’s synod on the family. Cardinal Reinhard Marx told a Munich meeting the synod may not be ready to approve allowing divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion. The cardinal said “it will not be simple” to bring this about. Cardinal Read more
Tolley says being on benefit not a lifestyle
Tuesday, July 14th, 2015The Ministry of Social Development handed out 80,202 sanctions to clients between July 2013 and September 2014, mainly for people not turning up to appointments. Other reasons for sanctions leading to cuts or cancellation of benefits are failing to attend seminars or not providing proof of a job search. Minister of Social Development Anne Tolley Read more
1000 charities deregistered
Tuesday, July 14th, 2015Greater scrutiny of the Charities Register has resulted in over 1000 charities being deregistered says Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew. A recent inspection of Annual Returns held by the Charities Register found more than 2,000 registered charities had not filed their Annual Returns and financial information for two years or more. “This clean-up Read more