Observers say a new ruling from the Chinese government is aimed at giving the government-backed Bishops’ Conference of the Catholic Church control over the election of bishops. Under the new ruling, a diocese has to seek agreement from the Beijing-based BCCCC and religious affairs bureau to begin the process of electing and ordaining a new Read more
The head of the Chaldean Catholic Church has questioned the motive behind supporting regime change in Iraq, Egypt, Syria and Libya, saying that Islamic fundamentalist regimes are “even worse” than authoritarian ones. Instilling democracy and a culture of freedom, said Chaldean Patriarch Louis Sako, requires education and a sound strategy for the long term. But Read more
A trip to Antarctica is just a dream for most people but for a Timaru priest it could be a reality for the third time. Holy Family’s Father Brian Fennessy is hoping he passes the stringent medical tests again so he can do another four-week stint at American Research Centre McMurdo Station in November. He Read more
A church minister has been cleared of assaulting an off-duty police officer who was refereeing his son’s under-10 rugby game in a disagreement over a try. Falefiaoali’i Fa’alolo, 50, appeared for a defended hearing in Manukau District Court after allegedly grabbing Benton Ostler by the throat on May 19 last year. Mr Ostler was in Read more
The sound of 700 hymn-singing school children rose from St Joseph’s Catholic Church in New Plymouth yesterday. The sweet sounds were a part of the celebrations of the national Catholic Schools Day, an event that happens every three years. St Joseph’s Catholic School student Asia-Rose Blowfield, 9, said it was nice to see so many Read more
New Zealand’s newly crowned Rose of Tralee will be swapping her ball gown for workboots and safety gear today. Judeena Carpenter, representing the Christchurch Irish Society, won the 2013 title ahead of seven other Roses in New Plymouth on Saturday night. It was the first time the competition had been held in the region for Read more
Garin College teenagers screamed in celebration at the Smokefreerockquest regional finals, as the school’s funky four-piece Oh Blok was named best band and harmonic pairing Livvy and Anna top duo. Twelve acts, from schools around the region, battled it out in front of a full capacity mosh pit at Nelson’s Theatre Royal last night. Oh Read more
Some of New Zealand’s largest discount retailers are not signing up to a legally binding initiative offering financial aid for building and fire safety after the Bangladesh garment disaster, which left thousands dead or injured. The Warehouse and Kmart sell Bangladeshi-made clothes, but deny their stock came from the eight-storey factory, which collapsed on April Read more
An international study has revealed the “most racist countries in the world”, with New Zealand ranking among the most tolerant. Among the dozens of questions that the World Values Survey asked respondents across more than 80 countries over three decades, Swedish economists found one that, they believe, could be a good indicator of tolerance for Read more