The success of a kids’ comic book about Pope Francis has prompted its Italian publisher to turn it into an iPad App for the English-speaking world. Called “Pope Francis Comics,” the app offers a kid-friendly mini-bio of the Argentine pontiff and 13 catchy phrases based on tweets or speeches by the pope. Kids can test Read more
Radiation from an earthquake may be responsible for the mysterious Turin Shroud image many believe to be a depiction of Jesus Christ, scientists claim. An Italian team at the Politecnico di Torino, a well respected Italian University, claims the powerful magnitude 8.2 earthquake, which occurred in Old Jerusalem in the year 33 AD, would have Read more
Ampleforth College has appointed its first lay Head. David Lambon joins from St Malachy’s College Belfast, and will take over in September 2014. Lambon, 46, a trained engineer and mathematician, has an MBA in School Leadership and Management a proven ability to achieve high standards. He will be supported by a strong team, which includes Read more
What a divine irony. At the same time that remnants of the country’s first mission school were being excavated in Kerikeri, St Heliers School decided to remove religious education classes from its school day – part of a slow but seemingly inexorable trend to purge Christianity from the remaining crevices where it is found in Read more
The site of New Zealand’s first mission station and its first classroom have been discovered by archaeologists after two years of research and fieldwork. Artefacts from the Hohi Mission Station at Kerikeri have uncovered details about the daily lives of the first permanent European settlers, researchers said. University of Otago Anthropology and Archaeology Associate Professor Read more
Parents are “very happy” over the decision by an Auckland school to remove religious education classes from its school day. Religion will now be taught outside school hours for St Heliers School pupils who choose to attend. Continue reading
A Harley-Davidson motorbike sold at auction on Thursday for almost 20 times its estimated value – because its previous owner was the pope. Signed “Francesco” on its tank, the Dyna Super Glide sold for 241,500 euros ($328,300), with a Harley-Davidson leather jacket, also signed by the pope, going for 57,500 euros, both to anonymous bidders, Read more
A British magistrate has issued an extraordinary summons to the worldwide leader of the Mormon church alleging that its teachings about mankind amount to fraud. Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been ordered to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London next month to defend the church’s Read more
Bob McCoskrie says he’s not alone in resigning as a marriage celebrant over concerns about gay marriage, but other celebrants say they’re not aware of resignations over the issue. Mr McCoskrie, the Family First national director, has not renewed his licence as a celebrant because he rejects the state definition of marriage, he announced on Read more
A big gay rainbow shone out over Auckland for the annual Big Gay Out yesterday. And being an election year, a rainbow array of politicians scrambled to be seen and heard at one of the biggest gay events of the year. Prime Minister John Key, a regular attendee, arrived fresh from seeing Australia’s leader Tony Read more