Parishioners in Somosomo, Taveuni, Fiji witnessed the rededication of the 100-year-old Muaniseva Church bell last Saturday. Officiating at the event, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong said the toll of the bell in the past had stirred the former Tui Cakau Ratu Golea and his people to convert to Christianity and it would carry out the same Read more
A Satanist group planning a black Mass in Oklahoma City has turned over a consecrated host to the Church, after a lawsuit was filed. Angra Mainyu had planned to use the host in a ritual black Mass next month. Oklahoma archdiocese filed the lawsuit claiming the host had been obtained by “illicit means”. After the Read more
A new law to be enacted in Ireland could make religious bodies that supply a service to the public subject to Freedom of Information law requests. That was what Ireland’s Department of Public Expenditure and Reform told Socialist MP Joe Higgins, who had asked if Freedom of Information legislation could be extended to cover records Read more
Church leaders have welcomed a move by authorities in India’s Kerala state to phase out liquor sales completely in 10 years. Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said liquor outlets will be reduced by 10 per cent each year, eliminating sales completely within a decade. Beginning next year, bar licenses will be issued only to five-star Read more
An impressive student from Aquinas College in Tauranga with a record of service to school and community has been recognised through the Trustpower Youth Community Spirit Award. Adam van Leeuwen was named the winner of the award which was run in conjunction with the Trustpower Tauranga Community Awards and was jointly run by Trustpower and Read more
A leading Christchurch architect says he has created a “middle course” design for the Christchurch Cathedral that would see the landmark largely retained. Sir Miles Warren has been working on detailed plans for a cathedral enabling much of the building’s exterior to be saved and a timber construction created inside. The slate roof would be Read more
The Justice Minister has ruled a former Catholic brother is to be extradited back to Australia to face child sex charges. The office of Justice Minister Judith Collins has confirmed that she has issued an order for Bernard McGrath’s surrender to Australia. But Mr McGrath has already filed judicial review proceedings challenging the Minister’s decision. Read more
Pope Francis has asked people to join him in prayer following the deaths of two of his great nephews and their mother in a car crash. The Catholic News Service reported that a nephew of the Pope was also in a critical condition following the incident in Argentina. The dead were identified as the wife Read more
The world’s second richest man has told a Catholic conference of the advantages of a three day work week. Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim told the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders in Houston that his idea would mean longer work hours, and would also involve delaying retirement until 70 or 75. But he said it would Read more
Before he goes on any international trip, Pope Francis usually pays a visit to his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. This is according to prefect of the pontifical household Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, who made the remark in an interview with the Austrian Catholic press agency. Asked about the “two Popes”, Archbishop Gaenswein underscored that “there Read more