Last week saw the New Zealand debut of The Funding Network, which reverses the popular Dragons’ Den show format by inviting charities to take the stage and pitch for cash from audiences. Donors then decide who to support and how to follow their chosen charity’s progress. Founder Frederick Mulder agreed the style of the events Read more
Former Irish president Mary McAleese has told a Sydney audience trying to be heard by the Church hierarchy is like shouting at children. About 1000 people at the Sydney Town Hall on September 7 heard her argue for a greater role for women in the Church. “The old boys’ club are going to have to Read more
Three Italian nuns were raped and beaten before two were decapitated and another murdered in a convent in Burundi. The bodies of Srs Bernardetta Boggia, 79, Lucia Pulici, 75, and Olga Raschietti, 82, were found in their dormitory in Kamenge, north of the capital Bujumbura. Police said three suspects had been detained for questioning as Read more
A bishop in Malta has asked every parish in his diocese to host at least one refugee family from Iraq or Syria. Bishop Mario Grech of Gozo in Malta made the call during a homily on the feast of Our Lady of Victories. “I have in my heart all those who are victims of atrocity, Read more
Time-lapse footage shows the historic Home of Compassion creche being carefully pulled, lifted and pushed on to it’s new site in the National War Memorial Park in central Wellington, which is to be completed by Anzac Day next year. Memorial Park Alliance community relations manager Brian Aspin said each stage of the three phase move Read more
St Luke’s Presbyterian Church has prominently displayed a big billboard of Pope Francis with his quote, “Inequality is the root of social evils”, in recognition of his leadership on tackling the issue poverty. St Luke’s Presbyterian Church minister Reverend Glynn Cardy, who was behind the often-controversial billboards at St Matthew’s-in-the-city in the past, said they Read more
Ryan Craig is walking with a purpose. The Oamaru man is trekking the length of New Zealand carrying a cross to spread a message of forgiveness and unity. The walk will coincide with the double centenary of the first message preached by missionary Samuel Marsden. “I have a heart for this nation and seeing unity Read more
Letters sent to an Irish priest by Jackie Kennedy, the former US first lady, have been returned to the Kennedy family. This was announced by the Vincentian order in Dublin on September 5. The order said the decision had been taken with “regard to the respect due to what is correspondence of a private nature”. Read more
The Archbishop of Canterbury is starting a new community of young people who will live with him in a monastic lifestyle at Lambeth Palace. The Tablet reported that the 16 young people, who are yet to be selected, with study, live and pray at the London palace from September, 2015. To be known as the Read more
A more powerful air-conditioning system is being installed in the Sistine Chapel as breath and sweat from visitors threaten to damage artworks. Since Pope Francis was elected in March, 2013, more than 5.5 million people have been through the chapel. This amounts to 20,000 a day and 30,000 on Sundays, when entrance is free. But Read more