Family Life International New Zealand’s Facebook page has been attacked, forcing the organisation to pull them down. FLI communications director, Michelle Kaufman, who is in charge of the group’s website and Facebook page, said the attack happened fast. “One of the interesting things about the comments made in the Facebook attack is that none of Read more
The Vatican has warned the United Nations about falling fertility rates around the world, saying that they “should be a great cause for alarm”. Citing a report from the UN’s secretary general, the Vatican mission to the UN stated that “no fewer than 80 countries now register a fertility rate below replacement level”. That trend Read more
A lone protester made her opposition known as she stood outside a Northland church seminar offering to help people overcome “same-sex attraction issues”. The talk, hosted by Paihia’s Baptist Church yesterday, was advertised in community newspapers last week, and sparked a furore on social media and in the gay community. The ad invited anyone who Read more
An American parish music director has been fired from his role in a parish in the Diocese of Arlington because he entered into a civil same-sex marriage. Mike McMahon was a former director of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. This is the national body for liturgical music leaders in the Catholic Church in the Read more
Eight new first year seminarians at Holy Cross Seminary make for a diverse group, reflecting the increasingly multi-cultural nature of the Church in New Zealand. But although there might be seven different ethnicities represented, most of them are young, aged in their twenties. Continue reading
Atlanta Archbishop Wilton Gregory will move out of his controversial US$2.2million residence next month and it will be sold. The proceeds will go towards the needs of the local Catholic community. There had been public and media criticism about the archbishop’s new residence. Continue reading
Marinda Brits and Norman Holleman would not have their miracle baby if they’d followed a midwife’s advice to have an abortion. The Auckland residents got devastating news in November when Brits was 21 weeks pregnant. A scan showed low amniotic fluid levels surrounding the baby boy and they were told he was dying and they’d Read more
A Dutch Jesuit priest who chose to stay in the beseiged city of Homs in Syria to care for its starving population has been shot dead. Fr Frans van der Lugt, a 75-year-old psychologist, had remained in the rebel-controlled Old City throughout a 600-day siege by government forces. He had been offered the chance to Read more
When he recently turned 96 years of age, Professor Lloyd Geering decided to retire from his role as Principal Lecturer of the St Andrew’s Trust for the Study of Religion and Society. His final talk in that capacity will be given during the week of the opening of the new St Andrew’s Centre on Tuesday Read more
Pope Francis will wash the feet of 12 disabled and elderly people when he celebrates Mass on Holy Thursday evening, the Vatican has announced. This will be at the Father Carlo Gnocchi Foundation’s Our Lady of Providence Centre, a rehabilitation and care centre on the outskirts of Rome for people with disabilities and the elderly. Read more