Pope Francis has blessed Rodrigo Santoro, the Brazilian actor cast in the role of Jesus in new version of the biblical epic Ben-Hur. Timur Bekmambetov’s movie is currently being filmed in Rome. Santoro and fellow cast member Nazanin Boniadi attended a weekly papal audience last week during a break from production, where they met Pope Read more
The Shroud of Turin has gone on display for the first time in five years. The 4.3 metre shroud has been put on display this year to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of St John Bosco, whose work in Turin focused on poor youth. More than a million people from as far afield Read more
Two men charged with burgling the quake-damaged Christ Church Cathedral last month have avoided prosecution. Philip Pavich, 55, and Gilbert Southworth, 46, apologised for their actions and gave money to the Anglican diocese. On March 21, motion-activated cameras detected their entry into the building. Police arrested the pair after they were caught leaving the cathedral Read more
The Society of St Pius X community in New Zealand will celebrate the centenary in August of the former Ngongotaha church it relocated to Auckland. The Immaculate Conception Church from Ngongotaha near Rotorua was relocated to Avondale two years ago. The building was rededicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Fr Robert MacPherson, SSPX, said Read more
Residents in East Auckland want large container trucks off a route that passes three schools, including St Joseph’s Catholic School in Orakei. Stop Containers Through Kohi opposes container trucks travelling through Orakei, Kohimarama and St John’s to reach the depot in Morrin Rd in Mt Wellington. The group says drivers should use a motorway route Read more
As he turns 88, Pope emeritus Benedict XVI is prayerfully preparing to meet the Lord. In an interview with an Italian television station, the retired Pope’s private secretary Archbishop Georg Ganswein mentioned Benedict’s ongoing dialogue of prayer. Archbishop Ganswein told Mediaset’s La strada dei miracoli programme, “It is clear that a man who soon will turn 88 Read more
Canadian cities must put an end to prayers during council meetings, the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled. The court said such prayers go against freedom of religion and conscience, as laid out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom and the Quebec Charter. In a unanimous decision and in the name of neutrality Read more
The former Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Francis George, has died after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 78. As head of the United States’ third-largest archdiocese, Cardinal George shepherded the Chicago church through school closings and the priest sexual abuse scandal. He strived to reconcile his support for the clergy with the pain of Read more
Caritas’ SINGout4JUSTICE annual school song writing competition for Years 7-13 students will be judged by a panel that includes Laura Collins, a Wellington singer/songwriter who performed at the Vatican earlier this year. Ms Collins performed at the Voices of Faith women’s storytelling event in Rome last month, singing a ballad written by fellow Kiwi musician Steve Read more
New welfare benefit figures confirm that New Zealand is splitting into “two nations”, with big improvements in Auckland and Christchurch but most provincial areas lagging far behind. Benefit numbers have dropped by 6.9 per cent in Canterbury and by 6.2 per cent in Auckland in the year to March, well ahead of a national decline Read more