Church leaders concerned that tenants are getting a raw deal in Christchurch are launching an advocacy service. Lyndon Rogers, who works in the Anglican Church’s social justice unit, said renters were having a hard time proving earthquake damage and expected wear and tear was not their fault. To assist, the church is launching the Record Read more
The Association of US Catholic Priests has written to Pope Francis protesting comments by the Vatican’s doctrine chief against some American nuns. On April 30, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith prefect Cardinal Gerhard Muller made blunt criticisms of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. Among his charges were that the LCWR was promoting Read more
An Auckland Mosque held an open day last Saturday in an attempt to rid people of their misconceptions about Islam. Manukau’s Ahmadiyya Muslim Community says the stereotype of the mosque being a hub of incitement is quite wrong. National Vice President Bashir Khan wants to show people what really goes on. “This is what mosque Read more
Last Saturday, the Marist Sisters were given a farewell in Waitaruke where they have been teachers and guides for the local people since 1928. After Mass at 10am they were called on to the marae, nä Pä Henare i arahi. Several Mercy Sisters came for the occasion, supported by some of the local priests, Marist Read more
Researchers have created a reconstruction of the face of St Anthony of Padua, who died in the 13th century. A team of forensic researchers and the University of St Anthony of Padua’s Anthropology Museum used a digital copy of the saint’s skull. They applied the latest 3D technology to come up with what they called Read more
The Catholic parishes of Masterton, Carterton (including Greytown) and Featherston (including Martinborough) are merging into ”One Wairarapa Parish”. In an open letter to Catholics in Wairarapa, Father Julian Wagg says all parishes in New Zealand face unprecedented challenges because of a wide range of factors and the Archdiocese of Wellington. “As a result we are required to undergo the Read more
Pope Francis has delivered a message to organisers, players and fans of the soccer World Cup, promoting the sport’s values. The Pontiff, who is a soccer fan himself, delivered the video message in Portuguese before the tournament started last week. He promoted the sport’s values of bringing people together, teamwork and opposing racism. The Pope Read more
Israel’s Education Ministry has announced that evolution will be taught in its middle school curriculum. Up to now, only the biblical account of the origins of humanity had been taught at this level, to grade eight and nine students. Darwin’s theory was only taught to high school students studying biology. An education sector spokeswoman said Read more
Hukarere and Te Aute Colleges can look forward to a more secure future. New funding through the St John’s College Trust Board has enabled the Te Aute Trust Board to repay $9.2 million of debt to the Bank of New Zealand. Te Aute’s chair, Stephen Jacobi, said repayment of the debt, incurred on the Trust’s Read more
The diocese of Cleveland in Ohio is to eliminate fees for marriage annulments, in an effort to help more Catholics return to the practice of their faith. Bishop Richard Lennon announced this is to promote the common good of the faithful of Cleveland. A typical annulment case costs petitioners about US$450. The overall cost of Read more