In a blow to the Christ Church Cathedral restoration, British philanthropist Hamish Ogston, has come under scrutiny for his unfulfilled pledge of millions of dollars towards the Christchurch Cathedral’s restoration. The board responsible for the cathedral’s ongoing repairs says that they have not received any funds from Ogston. They also mentioned that they have a Read more
Kiwis are putting the brakes on bike purchases, according to Newsroom. The decline in bicycle sales could spell trouble for New Zealand’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and may further put into question the substantial investment in cycle lanes by the Central Government and local councils. The challenges facing New Zealand’s bicycle market were laid Read more
Top mental health specialists warn that the number of psychologists and psychiatrists must double to meet patient demand. Practitioners said New Zealand needed 15 psychologists per 100,000 people to meet demand – equating to 770 full-time workers. But Te Whatu Ora estimated the public sector currently employed about 350 workers. Ashley Bertelson, 18, said her Read more
Academic scholars, including historians and theologians, have stressed the need for more focus and efforts on studies on the richness and diversity of Catholicism in Asia, which they say remain largely underdeveloped. The remarks came during a hybrid roundtable discussion titled “Catholic Studies in Asia: Prospects and Challenges” hosted by the Asia Research Institute (ARI) Read more
Israeli police said they arrested several people suspected of spitting in the direction of Christian pilgrims and churches in Jerusalem this week as religious tensions flared anew in the contested capital that the three Abrahamic faiths consider holy. As Jews celebrate Sukkot, the weeklong Feast of Tabernacles that marks the fall harvest and commemorates the Read more
Recent child abuse statistics reveal a deeper “rot” in our society. Child abuse is unacceptable; it is an inexcusable and despicable act that warrants the prosecution of perpetrators to the full extent of the law, says Save the Children Fiji chief executive officer Shairana Ali. She said this in response to the recent revelation of Read more
Whanganui’s new City Mission manager Dr Antony Nobbs says he’s been searching for a job that will make a tangible difference for people. For the past 13 years, Nobbs has worked as a director of learning support and student development at Massey University and Auckland University of Technology. But he said businesspeople rather than educationalists Read more
In addition to their three-day retreat outside of Rome, more than 350 members of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops are expected to go on a pilgrimage “to the roots of the Christian faith,” visiting the Rome catacombs. Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the Dicastery for Communication and president of the synod communication committee, told Read more
In a tale that could be straight out of a religious fable, two celestial figures have emerged from over half a century of seclusion. But there’s a heavenly hiccup with the angels: their wings are missing. These angelic figures fell from grace during the sweeping changes ushered in by Vatican II in the 1960s. Destined Read more