The Waikato Interfaith Council (WIFCO) is launching a Compassionate City initiative. They are calling for support from anyone who is interested in making Hamilton a Compassionate City The initiative will begin with a gathering to explain some of the concepts, to familiarise people with the Compassionate Cities world movement. The International Institute for Compassionate Cities supports Read more
According to the latest statistics, Tonga is now the world capital of Mormonism – with the highest number of Mormons per capita of any country. Mormons now outnumber Catholics and the number of followers is continuing to grow Listen to interview on Radio Australia
The diocese of Palmerston North is looking for a Te Ahi Kaa/Young Adult Ministry Coordinator. The coordinator will have live-in oversight of Te Ahi Kaa,— a community of 4 young adults (students or workers) committed to a year of service, prayer, hospitality and formation of themselves and other young people. The team of youth ministers will be Read more
A papal commission to protect children is to have another survivor of clerical sexual abuse join its membership. The Commission for the Protection of Minors, which Pope Francis established in December, will also have more representatives from other countries and disciplines. Irish abuse survivor Marie Collins is already a member of the commission, headed by Read more
Ireland’s legislators have been urged to exercise caution in preparing changes to the nation’s Constitution dealing with blasphemy as an offence. A Constitutional Convention has recommended removing the blasphemy provision, following overwhelming support for this in submissions. But a date for a referendum has yet to be decided. The Church of Ireland’s David Pierpont, Archdeacon Read more
Franciscan Fr Benedict Groeshel, who was well known for his prolific writings and often controversial views, has died in the United States aged 81. A trained psychologist, he was a fixture on Mother Angelica’s Eternal Word Television Network, better known as EWTN. With other Capuchin priests, he formed the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, based Read more
Monsignor Vincent Joseph Hunt, former Rector of Holy Cross College, died yesterday died on Wednesday 8 October at Mercy Parklands Hospital, in Auckland New Zealand. He had celebrated his 90th birthday on 14 July this year. Hunt was born in Roscommon, Ireland. He was a priest for 62 years in the Diocese of Auckland. From Read more
More than 800 submitters have come out against BP’s plan to build another petrol station on Pakuranga Rd. Those worried about the plan expressed their feelings last week at a resource consent hearing considering the proposal to build the station which would sit to the west of St Mark’s Catholic School and next to Pakuranga Read more
A Wellington Presbyterian church will defy the its Church’s decree and will continue to perform same sex marriages. On 7 October the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand decided to ban its ministers from conducting same sex-marriage ceremonies. “What matters in a marriage is the quality of the commitment and the Read more
The Catholic Archbishop of Oklahoma City and a priest have performed prayers of exorcism in a civic building after a black Mass was held there. Archbishop Paul Coakley said he learned that some patrons of Oklahoma City’s Civic Center were troubled and anxious about the possible after-effects of the September 21 black Mass. “From the Read more