The Catholic Church in Ireland has launched a Year for Vocations as it battles a huge drop in the number of men going to seminaries. Where once every large family in the country expected one son to join the priesthood, the scandals that have rocked the Church in the last two decades have meant the Read more
Leading global human rights organization Amnesty International is defending its choice to use an AI image generator to depict protests and police brutality in Colombia. Amnesty told Gizmodo it used an AI generator to depict human rights abuses so as to preserve the anonymity of vulnerable protestors. Experts fear, however, that the use of the Read more
The Vatican is involved in a peace mission to try to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Pope Francis said on Sunday, adding that it was also ready to help repatriate Ukrainian children taken to Russia or Russian-occupied land. “There is a mission in course now but it is not yet public. When it Read more
Rents for small houses have reached record-breaking new highs with the median weekly rent for an apartment hitting $540 per week, according to the latest Trade Me Rental Price Index. Rental figures for March 2023 show rents for apartments and one to two-bedroom homes are soaring. The median weekly rent for apartments is up 8 Read more
After seeing what Sustainable Napier was doing with the Napier Repair Café, Hastings local James Taylor wanted to make a space where Hastings residents could come and fix broken or damaged belongings instead of throwing them out and buying more. Opening in May, the Hastings Repair Café is a new initiative that provides tools and Read more
Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, said he is “convinced that the church today is in need of an eye-opening experience,” similar to the experience of the two disciples who encountered Jesus along the road to Emmaus following the Resurrection, but who did not recognise him until they shared a meal. “We Read more
Fear, anger and rigidity will do nothing to reverse the growth of secularism and a decline in the number of Catholics attending Mass, Pope Francis said; the only effective response is to give a living example of faith. “The church to which we must aspire,” he said, is “a church capable of mutual listening, dialogue Read more
A settlement has been reached that will see 32 public schools on the Avalon and Burin peninsulas continue to operate as usual. There was no guarantee that would be the case until the past couple of weeks as bankruptcy proceedings involving the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of St John’s continued. The Church has been selling Read more
Former governor-general Peter Hollingworth admits he has made mistakes, as he accepts the recommendations by an Anglican Church review into abuse allegations that found he is “fit for ministry”. On Monday, the Professional Standards Board for the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne made the finding. In a statement, the 88-year-old conceded while he was archbishop of Read more
A much-loved chaplain at one of Auckland’s most prestigious schools has been reinstated after a court case alleging he had sexually abused a student in Australia 20 years ago was abandoned by the plaintiff. It has brought to end a highly distressing period for Father John Goodwin, who is known for his engaging character and Read more