The grand mufti of Saudi Arabia has called for the destruction of all churches in the Arabian Peninsula, claiming that the move is in line with Islamic law. Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah, told a delegation from Kuwait last week that it was “necessary to destroy all the churches of the region”. The sheikh is Read more
San Francisco archdiocese has removed watering devices that drenched homeless people in the doorways of the city’s cathedral. The archdiocese installed the devices at St Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in response to needles, faeces and other dangerous items regularly being left there. But the system lacked a permit and may have violated other laws. Read more
Father James Joseph McMenamin paid the ultimate sacrifice as a Catholic chaplain to the Armed Forces in the Great War. He endured the dreadful conditions to give spiritual aid to the New Zealanders. Chaplain captain McMenamin landed at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915 to serve at the frontline. Later he went to the Western Front. Read more
Former members of a Palmerston North parish were told they would be “cursed by God” if they didn’t give money to the church, even if they weren’t in a financial position to do so. More than half a dozen people with connections to the Palmerston North Victory Church have come forward following a story linking Read more
An Irish bishop has expressed regret about comments he made about gay people as parents in the lead up to Ireland’s referendum on same-sex marriage. Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin said in a media interview that a redefinition of marriage was also a redefinition of parenthood. When asked about gay people who are already parents, Read more
An Indian bishop has said a 71-year-old nun who was the victim of a gang rape has forgiven her attackers. Bishop Joseph Gomes of Krishnagar, who visited the nun in hospital on Monday, added: “She told me that ‘justice should be done’.” “This should be never be repeated or happen to anyone else.” The attack Read more
Poland’s Catholic bishops have suffered a defeat with the approval by the nation’s president of an international convention combating violence against women. The Council of Europe convention creates the world’s first legal framework for curbing psychological and sexual violence. It also criminalises forced marriages, stalking, and female genital mutilation. President Bronislaw Komorowski signed a government Read more
More than 250 of Wellington’s most needy will have warm, dry feet this winter, thanks to a donation by Shoe Clinic to the Wellington City Mission. The shoes are nearly new, as they have been returned to Shoe Clinic under the store’s 30-day guarantee, and cannot be resold. This is the second year the Shoe Read more
Destiny Church’s bid to make its private school part of the state system has failed. The Ministry of Education’s rejection of Destiny’s proposal comes after the church was earlier turned down to run a charter school. The church says the rejection is disappointing as its case was compelling and valid. “We have other schools in Read more