Evidence of a human factor in climate change is “irrefutable”, academics and church representatives agreed at a seminar co-sponsored by the commission of European Catholic bishops. The seminar heard several speakers call for aggressive efforts to cut down the use of fossil fuels, question the wisdom of “growth-based” economic systems, and call for substantial changes Read more
An evangelist whose inspirational autobiography has been labelled “99 per cent false” is in New Zealand on a speaking tour – sparking a warning from some churches. Tony Anthony’s life story about how as a convicted criminal and martial arts fighter he found redemption through God was read around the world, and resulted in him Read more
A grand vision of what could become of Cathedral Square and the relic of its earthquake-damaged Anglican cathedral was presented by computer graphics pioneer IAN TAYLOR last week. Bishop Victoria Matthews said although it was a “highly innovative and creative design”, the large area it encompassed meant it was difficult for the Anglican diocese to Read more
While spending a week fasting in a makeshift prison to push for penal reform, it was the dream of a curry laksa that kept the Anglican Bishop of Wellington going. Bishop Justin Duckworth emerged from the prayer vigil for prisoners and associated victims yesterday and, after delivering a sermon, headed straight to a Ghuznee St Read more
Statements by Pope Francis that he wants to see greater roles for women in the Church have sparked speculation that he might appoint a woman cardinal. After an unnamed Jesuit was quoted in Spain as saying “It’s something that Pope Francis has thought about before”, Italian and American media picked up the idea. Cardinal Timothy Read more
A Samoan postulant who had just entered the Little Sisters of the Poor in Washington, DC, has been charged with smothering her newborn son. Police said 26-year-old Sosefina Amoa gave birth to the baby boy in her room at the sisters’ elderly care facility on October 10 — just five days after she arrived from Read more
The archdiocese of Washington, DC, has accused the Obama administration in the United States of engaging in a “conscious political strategy to marginalise and delegitimise” Catholic teachings on contraception “by holding them up for ridicule on the national stage”. The accusation is in a lawsuit in which the archdiocese contests the administration’s intention to force Read more
New, stricter guidelines on how doctors should handle the potential conflicts of interest, when interacting with the medical and pharmaceutical industry are in the process of being finalised, but the ethics body that was debating the conundrums involved has been ditched. Managed by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), the group developing the fourth Read more
Wellington Regional Coroner Ian Smith calling for Parliament to make up its mind about euthanasia after an elderly woman chose to suffocate herself with a handmade contraption in her Lower Hutt home. In his report, Mr Smith calls for Parliament to confront the issue of euthanasia – a topic that has long been dodged. “Once again Read more
The Human Rights Tribunal has dismissed a complaint against the Anglican Church over its decision to deny a gay man entry to the priesthood. The tribunal had been considering whether Geno Sisneros, of Auckland, was discriminated against when his application to train as a priest was turned down. Continue reading