Jewish, Christian, and Muslim leaders in Wellington have issued a joint statement regarding the current conflict in Gaza and Israel. “We call upon all of the parties involved in the current conflict in Gaza and Israel to cease hostilities, and sit down at the negotiating table and do the hard work necessary to obtain a Read more
Parliament could get a new prayer after the election in September. A review of standing orders, the rules that MPs must adhere to, was published this week, putting the prayer back on the agenda. The review recommends MPs be asked their views on changing the prayer read by the Speaker at the opening of a Read more
A Catholic grandmother has been sentenced to a maximum of one year in jail after an anti-drone protest in New York state last year. Mary Anne Grady Flores took photos from a road outside Hancock Field Air National Guard Base last year. About 20 activists took part in the protest on February 13, 2013, which Read more
A Jesuit brother has received the Carl Sagan Medal for his communication of astronomy and planetary science. Br Guy Consolmagno was given the award by The American Astronomical Society’s (AAS) Division for Planetary Sciences. The AAS praised Br Consolmagno for becoming “the voice of the juxtaposition of planetary science and astronomy with Christian belief”. It Read more
Christchurch has lost a great treasure with the death of Cathedral Dean Lynda Patterson, her predecessor says. The Anglican diocese confirmed Northern Irish-born Patterson, 40, died of natural causes in her home yesterday after a recent, undisclosed illness. Last year she succeeded Peter Beck in the role, becoming the cathedral’s first female dean. Continue reading
Thirty years of Tongan services are being celebrated at the St Columba Church in Grey Lynn. This month members marked the anniversary with a special service, a big feast, music and speeches. St Columba was one of the first Anglican churches to offer the Tongan services in 1974. The initiative was led by John Tamahori, Read more
A company owned by the Gloriavale Christian Community, on the West Coast, expects to drill a new oil well this spring with a rig that has recently arrived from Korea. Ocean Harvest International Ltd (OHIL) is planning the new well on the Niagara structure near Greymouth. Gloriavale’s geological consultant, Murry Cave, said oil had been Read more
An encyclical by Pope Francis on creation and respect for the environment is expected to be released in early 2015. Pope Francis has reportedly spent months drafting his new encyclical. In March, during an audience with superiors from the Franciscan order, the Pope expressed how much this topic concerns him, and asked them for advice. Order Read more
The Church of England’s decision to ordain women bishops has harmed relations with the Catholic Church, an archbishop says. Speaking on behalf of the England and Wales bishops’ conference, Archbishop Bernard Longley said the commitment to further dialogue between the two churches remains. “The decision of the Church of England to admit women to the Read more