Pope Francis stunned Vatican workers last week by unexpectedly having lunch with them in their canteen. Dressed in his usual white cassock and skullcap, the Pope stood in a queue with the rest of the workers while waiting for his meal on July 25. He chose a plate of pasta without sauce and cod with Read more
Islamic militants have blown up a shrine traditionally regarded as the burial place of the Old Testament prophet Jonah. ISIS militants ordered everyone out of the mosque of the Prophet Younis (Jonah) in Mosul in Iraq on July 24, before blowing it up. The mosque was built on an archaeological site dating back to the Read more
Church of England selection boards will be encouraged to use a form of positive discrimination to appoint woman bishops, The Telegraph reports. The Church’s most senior official told a UK parliamentary committee that in vacant sees where a male and female candidate are considered equally well qualified, those making appointments will be advised to choose Read more
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Committee for Interfaith Relations has sent a message to Muslim communities in New Zealand. Sent to mark the Muslim feast of Eid-al-fitr, which ends the Ramadan period, the message encourages prayers and work for peace. The text of the message reads: “Dear friends, “Eid al-fitr draws near. On behalf of the Read more
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has contributed an initial $20,000 to support a humanitarian response to the emergency in Gaza. Caritas Jerusalem is providing medical assistance, food and other necessities to the thousands of vulnerable people affected by the escalating conflict. More than 775 people have been killed during Israeli attacks, with more than 100,000 Palestinians Read more
Bishop Patrick Dunn of Auckland celebrated the twentieth anniversary of his ordination as bishop on July 25, the feast of the apostle James. On July 25, 1994, he was ordained as auxiliary to assist Bishop Denis Browne in Auckland. At a Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral last Friday, Bishop Dunn dwelt on two things he Read more
The spiritual leader of the world’s Anglicans is to visit Asia and Oceania in August as a part of commitment to meet leaders from his communion. Archbishop Justin Welby will preach at a service at St Pauls’ Cathedral in Melbourne on August 13 before departing for New Zealand. The Archbishop of Canterbury’s visit will coincide Read more
Rocker Tom Petty and his band the Heartbreakers have hit out at the Catholic Church’s child abuse scandal in their latest album “Hypnotic Eye”. In a song titled “Playing Dumb”, one line states “For every confession that wasn’t on the level; For every man of God that lives with hidden devils”. Although the song does Read more
The Vatican has lined up an international football dream team to play an “interreligious match for peace” in Rome’s Olympic Stadium. Catholics involved include Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi, Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and Italian international Andrea Pirlo. They will be joined by self-professed “non-practising Muslim” Zinedine Zidane, who manages Real Madrid, and Italian Buddhist convert Read more
The New Zealand Faith Community Nurses Association will be looking at ways to keep the ministry sustainable at its annual conference in September this year. NZ Faith Community Nursing National Liaison Coordinator, Diane Webster, says the conference is a chance for nurses from different Christian backgrounds to come together in support of one another and Read more